Fastest Easy Crochet Scarf: DIY Rainbow with Bulky Yarn

Hi, it's Christa from The Secret Yarnery! I'm excited to share with you this easy-to-make, colorful rainbow scarf that works up super fast using bulky yarn and a large hook. If you love quick projects with great texture and color, this one's for you.

Here’s the full tutorial for the beautiful, FASTEST Easy Bulky Yarn Rainbow Scarf!

I love how the stunning stripes of color emerge naturally while crocheting, especially with the yarn I used. You only need to know a few basic stitches like single crochet, chain, and double crochet to make this scarf.

Before diving into the pattern, here are the materials you'll need:

• 12 mm crochet hook – This large hook makes the work progress quickly.
• Scissors – For trimming your yarn ends when you’re finished.
• Darning needle – Handy for weaving in the ends.
• Stitch marker – Optional, but useful for marking your spot if you need to step away.

For this project, I used Ice Yarns Cake Fluffy—an insanely soft yarn!

• Cake Fluffy is a super bulky yarn, 150 grams per cake and approximately 105 meters.
• It’s made of 95% premium acrylic and 5% mohair, which adds a lovely fluff to the yarn.
• You'll need two cakes of Cake Fluffy, or just one pack if you're buying from Ice Yarns.

However, if you want to substitute yarn, Mandala Fluffy is a good option, but you'll need three cakes of it since Mandala Fluffy comes in smaller 100g sizes and is made of 100% acrylic, missing the extra mohair fuzziness.

You can compare prices and pick your favorite option based on availability and preference.

First things first! Start by grabbing your tools and the necessary yarn. Since you're using bulky yarn, it’s important to have the right workspace to handle the fluffy fibers. Set aside any distractions and get ready to move fast!

Next, make a slip knot and slide it onto your 12 mm hook.

If you're following my exact scarf size, you'll need to chain 24 stitches. But if you'd like your scarf to be wider or narrower, always add or subtract chains in multiples of six.

After you've chained 24 or a multiple of six, let's start building the base of this fabulous scarf. We’ll begin working into the chain to create solid foundations for the rest of the pattern.

• Row 1 starts with a single crochet in the 9th chain from the hook. Don't count the loop on your hook or the knot at the beginning.

• After that, we'll chain 3, skip two chains, and then place a double crochet in the next chain.

• Continue this pattern of chain 3, skip two chains, and alternate between a single crochet and double crochet until you reach the end of the row.

At the end of Row 1, with a double crochet in the last chain, we can start the next row.

Row 2 marks the start of the pattern we're going to repeat throughout the project. Here’s how it looks:

• Chain 1, turn your work, and do a single crochet in the top of the previous row’s double crochet.
• Chain 2, and in the next single crochet, you’ll place a V-stitch (which is one double crochet, chain 1, and another double crochet in the same spot).
• Keep alternating chain 2 and V-stitch in each valley (where there’s been a single crochet in the row below) and a single crochet in each “hill” (where there’s a double crochet from the row below).

This is what gives the scarf its lovely flowing texture.

In Row 3, we'll again alternate the pattern by starting with a chain of 6, turning the work, and then making a single crochet in the middle of each V-stitch from the previous row.

• Then, chain 3, skip to the next valley (the single crochet from the previous row), and place a double crochet.
• Keep up this alternating pattern across the row until you finish with a double crochet in the last stitch.

Here’s an easy trick for remembering the pattern as you go:

• When you finish a row with small stitches (single crochet at the end), your next row will start big (with a chain 6).
• When you finish with big stitches (a double crochet), the next row starts small (with a chain 1 and single crochet).

This alternating pattern keeps your work balanced and ensures you maintain that beautiful stripe texture all the way up!

You’ll now be repeating two types of rows. The rows switch between "Valley" rows and "Bridge" rows:

• Valley Row: This row is where you’ll add a V-stitch in the lowest dips (valleys) between stitches. The pattern gets taller at this point.
• Bridge Row: This row feels more like skipping over the valleys with smaller stitches such as chains and single crochets.

Once you get the rhythm, it quickly becomes a mindful and relaxing project.

When you run out of yarn (or you reach your desired length), it’s time to secure your final row:

• Chain 1, cut your yarn, and pull your hook up to bring that last bit of yarn through the loop. Give it a snug pull, and the scarf is now secure.
• Use a darning needle to weave in the loose yarn ends

A couple of handy tips when working with bulky yarn:

• Because it’s so thick, it’s important to keep your stitches loose. Tight stitches will be harder to work with, and bulky yarn loses its fluffy texture if pulled too tightly.
• A Susan Bates yarn needle is excellent for weaving in the ends of chunky yarn. You can find more tips on working with bulky yarn here.

Some issues beginners might face when making this crochet scarf include:

• Uneven edges: If your edges are wavy or uneven, it might be due to inconsistent tension. Make sure you're using the correct hook and that your stitches aren't too tight or loose.
• Skipping stitches mistakenly: Keep an eye on your chains, and always count to ensure you’re skipping only two stitches each time.

Want to take it up a notch? You can:

• Easily adjust the width of this crochet scarf by adding or removing multiples of 6 from your starting chain.
• Switch up the color pattern by using different yarn cakes, like a gradient or ombre for a completely different look.

To make sure your scarf lasts long, check the yarn care instructions. Since mohair is delicate:

• Hand wash your scarf gently in cold water.
• Use a soft wool detergent and avoid wringing it out. Instead, press it gently between towels to dry.

Once you’re done, I’d love to see your finished rainbow scarf! You can share your photos and progress on the Secret Yarnery Crochet Community group on Facebook.

I’m so excited to see how creative you can get with this pattern!

If you're interested in the written pattern, it’s available right here.

Also, be sure to check out the other amazing crochet scarf patterns on the site! There are plenty of options to explore for your next project.

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss out on new tutorials! Stay hooked and join our creative crochet family.

If you enjoyed this scarf tutorial, share this post with a friend who loves to crochet or might want to get started!

Thank you for hanging out, and until next time… keep those hooks handy!