Pocket scarf with hood ‘Checkmate’- buffalo plaid

The best of this season is the pocket scarf. And here is my version of this cozy wrap, which will keep you warm in the chilly fall nights, our latest post – ‘Checkmate’ crochet pocket scarf with a hoodie. Keep reading to find out about my inspiration, design process, yarn suggestions, or scroll down to the pattern.

The Inspiration and Design process 

This fall, the pocket scarf is the ultimate item you need to have in your wardrobe as you can see so many different and unique patterns worldwide.

My sister and I recently decided that we need to expand our creativity and challenge ourselves to design new stuff we have never crochet before—this way, the ‘Checkmate’ crochet pocket scarf pattern was born.

I have been in love with the buffalo plaid patterns for quite some time, and what a better way to combine the passion for buffalo plaid and the new design.

Why this stitch?

When I start my ” Checkmate ” crochet pocket scarf design, I kept in mind all the new crocheters who would like to have something easy, fast, and simple to crochet so, in the end, they will have a gorgeous wrap without struggling with so much counting and be frustrated over a pattern (I have been there myself and know how bad it is to make something, and it won’t turn the way it is supposed to be 🙂

The pattern also can be made with a buffalo plaid pattern using three colors, or you can grab your favorite color and start crochet right away.

In this crochet pocket scarf, I used the “floret stitch,” which is simple only two stitches repeat and two rows repeat. It consists of simple sl.st and dc st, which even a beginner can pull through. The stitch is textured and combined with worsted weight yarn. It will give you the right amount of coziness and warmth for your chilly days/nights.

Of course, when I said that in this design, I kept in mind even the beginner crochet lovers, I was not joking. This time we made a little more math and included six different sizes. From Child 1-2 years to Adult Large size, the whole family members can enjoy this squishy pocket scarf.

The best part of this crochet pocket scarf is that we included instructions on adjusting the full pattern for your needs and desires. We are all not the same, and I think always to have some adjustment instructions for our designs where it is possible.

The Buffalo Plaid

Maybe some of you like me never tried the buffalo plaid pattern but believe me, it is super simple and easy to crochet.
The only thing we have to make is to carry on the yarn as we crochet along. In the pattern instructions, I included photos to show you how to achieve it. Don’t worry, I cover you up with all the details.

The Yarn

I have a massive amount of these big squishy Lionbrand Pound of Love yarn balls in my stash, which was waiting for the perfect project. This yarn is the worsted weight, and the thickness is ideal for making this kind of big project.

Once you start, you will be delighted with how quickly you can finish your scarf. It gives a good drape and texture to your final garment. It is worsted weight yarn, and you can easily use your stash to crochet this piece. Just take the same weight yarn, crochet a swatch and start your buffalo plaid pocket scarf.  

“Checkmate” crochet pocket scarf with hoodie pattern:

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As you may know, this season is all about cozy wraps, which will prepare us for the coming cold winter days. And the pattern includes six different sizes – Child 1-2 years, Child 2- 5 years, Child 5- 10 years, Teen/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large.

Materials :

• Measuring tape
• Yarn needle
• Crochet hook 6mm/ American hook size J
• Yarn – 700 gr Worsted Weight yarn Sample
  shown is made with Lion Brand Pound
  of Love in :
  • Oxford grey ( 500gr )
  • White ( 100 gr )
  • Black ( 100 gr )

Gauge

4” x 4” = 16 sts x 10 rows in pattern
repeat – 1 row of dc and 1 row of sl.st
and dc

You will find further information for sizing on the tables below, with how many chs you must start your scarf and how many rows you must follow the pattern repeat. After you choose the right size, follow the instructions with the numbers for your size.

Note:

Adjust hook size to meet the Gauge as it is essential for the hood to fit. The Gauge is not necessary for the pockets and the scarf itself, but the hoodie needs to suit you.

• You can make the hooded pocket scarf in 1 color, or you can use three different colors and make yours with a buffalo plaid pattern as I did in mine.

• The hoodie and pockets are made in 3 colors to achieve the buffalo plaid pattern

• When we crochet pockets and hoodie, we will carry on the yarn as we crochet along to avoid the yarn showing at the WS

• First, we will crochet the scarf itself, then we will make the hoodie and pockets. Then we will sew the hoodie and the pockets on the scarf.

• Directions are for women size Large

• I tried to show you in the pictures below how to carry on the yarn as you crochet along. Line up the yarn that we will carry on with your foundation chain and make your new stitch keeping the yarn in between the stitch as you work it.

SCARF PATTERN :

– With Oxford grey color yarn

Row 1: ch 56, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each rem ch (54sts in total)

Row 2: ch 1(count as sl.St), turn, skip the very 1 st st, dc in next st, *sl.St in next st, dc in next st* rep from * to * till the last 2 sts, make sl.St in next st, dc in 3 rd ch of trng ch-3 (54 sts in total)

Row 3: ch 2(count as dc), turn, skip the very 1st st, dc in each st till the end, dc in 1st ch of turning ch-1 (54sts in total) Repeat alternating row 2-3 till you reach your desired length. For this scarf I crochet 181 rows. I finished the scarf with dc row.

POCKETS (MAKE 2 PIECES):

Finished measurements of the pockets are 26cm x 27cm= 10’ x 10,5’. To achieve the buffalo plaid pattern of the pockets and hood, we will make two color combinations.

The first color combination is grey and black, and the second color combination is grey and white. We will start with the first color combination, and when we make 4 rows with it, we will switch to a 2nd color combination.

Then we will make the next 4 rows with the second color combination and switch back to the first color combination. We will alternate them till we reach our desired length of pockets and hood.

Tips on color changes

We will work each row with 2 different colors of yarn. We will carry on the yarn along as we crochet the pockets. We will start our foundation chain with grey color, and after we make the first 6 sts, we will attach black color and make the next 6 sts with it, then switch back to grey and make the next 6 sts with grey and will continue to alternate the colors till the end of the row.

Each row equals 1 row of the pattern in the chart, and each square equals 1 Stitch. Each big color square is made of 6 sts and 4 rows. Here I have made a graph for you to use as it is easier to follow the graph for the color switches.

The chart is an example with 50 chs. When you crochet your pocket size, be sure to adjust the numbers to your needed ones. For example, if you have to crochet size Teen / Adult Small, 38 chs, you must follow the graph’s instructions till 38 chs instead of 50.

Color chart of the pockets in written:

Row 1-4: grey and black = first color combination

Row 5-8: white and grey = second color combination

Row 9-12: grey and black= first color combination

Row 13-16: white and grey= second color combination

Row 17-20: grey and black= first color combination

Row 21-23: white and grey= second color combination

Row 24-25: black

Further information for the pockets on the table below. You can easily combine the graph and written instructions for the buffalo plaid look.

The pockets:

Written instructions for the pockets:

Color A– oxford grey

Color B– black

Color C– white

Start with color A

Row 1: ch 44, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 4 sts, * attach color B, dc in next 6 chs, switch to color A, dc in next 6 chs* rep from * to * 3 times (42sts in total) Continue with color A In the instructions below I will not write the switches between the colors as it will confuse you. Remember to switch colors after each 6th stitch or follow the graph above.

Row 2: ch 1(count as sl.St), turn, skip the very 1 st st, dc in next st, *sl.st in next st, dc in next st* rep from * to * till the last 2 sts, make sl.St in next st, dc in 3 rd ch of trng ch-3 (42 sts in total)

Row 3: ch 2(count as dc ), turn , skip the very 1 st st, dc in each st till the end, dc in 1st ch of turning ch-1 (42sts in total) Repeat alternating row 2-3 till you reach row 21 Row

Row 22: repeat row 2

Row 23: ch 2(count as hdc ), turn , skip the very 1 st st, hdc in each st till the end, hdc in 1 st ch of turning ch-1 (42sts in total) Fasten Off. The next row will be worked in the 3rd loop of hdc st that we have made in prev row. Take your work rs facing you.

Row 24: take black color yarn and insert your hook in the 1 st st of row 24, pull a loop and ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc in each st across (42)

Row 25: ch 1, turn, skip very 1st st, sl.st in each st across. Fasten Off. Sew pockets above 5 th row of the scarf. Leave 6 sts on both sides of the pockets.

Hoodie:

The most crucial part of the hoodie is to make your foundation chain the correct length. Otherwise, it will not fit.

For exact sizing, measure from one shoulder, over the head to the other shoulder. This is the length of your beginning chain.

Which equals double your height size. For example, a child-size foundation chain must measure 8.5 x 2=17inches

The written instructions are for Adult Large in the tables below you will find the numbers for each size.

Foundation chain must measure 22inches if you want it to be more fit make it 21 inches

Start with color A

Row 1: ch 98, dc in 4th chain from hook, dc in next 4 chs, switch to color B, dc in next 6 chs,*switch to color A, dc in next 6 chs, switch to color B, dc in next 6 chs* rep from * to * till the end (96sts in total) In the instructions below I will not write the switches between the colors as it will confuse you. Just remember to switch colors after each 6th stitch or follow the graph above.

Row 2: ch 1(count as sl.st), turn, skip the very 1 st st, dc in next st, *sl.St in next st, dc in next st* rep from * to * till the last 2 sts, make sl.St in next st, dc in 3 rd ch of trng ch-3 (96 sts in total) Row 3: ch 2(count as dc), turn, skip the very 1st st, dc in each st till the end, dc in 1st ch of turning ch-1 (96sts in total) Repeat alternating row 2-3 till you reach row 28. Fasten off.

Back seam:

We have rectangular piece. Fold the rectangle in half. Line up your stitches. Join yarn, ch 1, and sc the stitches together to create the hood’s back seam. Now attach the hood to the scarf.

Take your scarf and fold it. And place a stitch marker in the center st of the scarf. Align the back seam of the hood with the center stitch. Now align the rest of the hood with the scarf and join them with sc stitch method.

Abbreviation:

Sl.st sl.stitch
Ch( s ) chain( s )
Dc double crochet stitch
Rem remaining
St(s) stitch(es)
Trng ch ( turning chain ) is the initial chain we are making when we start a new row, which becomes our turning chain when we turn and start a new row.
WR wrong side
RS right side
Hdc half double crochet stitch
Prev previous row
* or ** repeat whatever follows the * or **
.

Tips on how to adjust the pocket scarf

Scarf:

The scarf pattern is multiple of 2 sts. If you want to adjust the number of sts, you must start with add 2 or more even stitches to your foundation chains. It is the same if you’re going to make it smaller decrease your foundation chains by two or more even stitches.

If you want to adjust the length of it again, the pattern is 2 rows repeat, so if you want it bigger, add extra rows or crochet fewer rows to make it smaller.

The pockets:

The pattern repeat for the pockets is 6 sts, so if you want to adjust them, you have to add 6 sts to make them bigger or decrease 6 sts to make them smaller. You have to make these changes to your foundation chains.

For example, the written instructions are for Adult Large size, which starts by chain 44. If you want to make them bigger, you have to add 6 stitches, and in total, you will have 50 sts. If you’re going to make it smaller, you must start with 38 chains.

We included a graph where you can follow the color changes after you make your adjustments. The most important here is that you have to change your yarn color after each 6th stitch.

The Hoodie:

The hoodie pattern is the same with the pockets. If you want to adjust any part of it, you can use the same method and make it bigger or smaller on your desire.