EDIT: I HIGHLY recommend you read the FAQ page HERE before you begin this project! Please look at it if you are having any questions... chances are they are answered there!
If you love the look but not the bulk, check out my Ribs and Ridges Scarf. Same pattern, worsted weight yarn!
(this post contains affiliate links. For more information please check out my policy page)
When I first watched Hunger Games: Catching Fire and I saw Katniss's knitted cowl my DIY mind immediately began making a pattern for it. I never attempted it, mostly because I did not feel like I would ever really NEED a one armed vest thing. It just did not seem very practical. (Does her other arm get cold? Is it an archery thing? I just don't know...)
Then not too long ago, my volleyball coach from the good old days sent me a pin to this scarf and asked if I could whip up something similar. I loved that it is just a giant infinity scarf rather than a one armed t-shirt thing. This means you can wear it multiple ways, but still achieve that "awesome" look sported by the Hunger Games victor. However, that particular pattern was knitted and my knitting skills are sadly lackluster. But I spent some time and developed my own crochet pattern.
This is seriously a mega scarf, measuring just over 60 inches long and 13.5 inches high (this seems to be the magic length for the perfect "wrap"), and made from almost 600 yards of yarn. If you are worried about the length for yourself, measure it by wrapping around yourself after the first row of post stitches because that is essentially the finished length.
This is a beautiful piece with a lot of detail, and can be worn 3 ways!
This is an intermediate pattern, but a beginner could figure it out with some determination.
You will need to know how to front and back post double crochet, front post single crochet and the double crochet. If you don't know these stitches, there are a lot of great youtube videos to help. (And do not be scared to try them-- they are the same basic stitches, just put in a different spot!)
If you want to try out these stitches on an easier (read "smaller") project try out my Free Katelyn Ear Warmer Pattern.
This scarf is also crocheted in the round to prevent some uneven sewing. The pattern is ridged and so can be hard to make the attached line look very neat. I found it was better to attach in the round. It may still be a little "gappy." I suggest leaving a long end and sewing the gaps together just a little bit. There is nothing wrong with a little sewing manipulation! And because of the many ways to wrap and wear this, it is easy to hide that section.
Again, please read the FAQ page before you begin!
Ready? Here is what you will need to get started.
Size M Hook (9.0)
**I used to recommend a P hook but the majority do better with an M**
Large sewing needle for sewing in ends
600 yards of size 6 bulky yarn (I used Bernat Collegiate Chunky in Grey)
EDIT: I have had many people end up with scarves that are TOO big when using an extra bulky yarn. I would stay away from thick, wooly yarns like Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. Some size 5 yarns would work, and some size 6 yarns will not. I stay by my recommendation of the Bernat yarn. Also, be sure to try on your scarf after a few rows. Because we are not all the same shape and size, you may need to adjust. And if you need to start over, well better after 2 or 3 rows than after the whole thing. The nice thing with this scarf is that you do not need to have a certain number of chains- you can customize it to your own size!
Row 1: Chain until you reach 65 inches (I am sorry-- I could not force myself to make an actual count.) You will want to crochet over the end length of 61 inches because the post stitches pull it together. Connect to form a giant ring.
Row 2: Chain 2, DC across, Join.
Row 3: Chain 2, DC in first stitch, FPDC alternating with BPDC until you reach the last stitch. DC in last St, Join. Chain 2.
Row 4: This next row will depend on the number of stitches you made... But essentially you will FPDC or BPDC on the post crochets you already made. Line up the FPDC with a FPDC and a BPDC with a BPDC (to achieve that nice ridged look!) until you reach the end.Join.
Row 5: Repeat row 4.
Row 6: Chain one, FPSC in every stitch across. Do not alternate like the PDC. This will give you that straight line. Join to the first FPSC when you reach that point.
THEN slip stitch to the DC made in row 5. The FPSC sit in front of those stitches making that pretty line. But you will want to crochet over the DC BEHIND the line made in Row 6. The slip stitch back just helps for a smoother transition.
Row 7: Chain 2, DC in each stitch across, slip stitch. (Remember this row is not done in the FPSC you did in the last row but the DC from Row 5)
Row 8: Chain one, FPSC across. Follow the same technique as in row 6.
Row 9: Chain 2, DC across, slip stitch.
Row 10: Chain one, FPSC across. Follow the same technique as in row 6.
Repeat Rows 2-10 twice more.
Then Repeat Rows 2-5.
Finish off and weave in ends (remember to leave that long tail to weave in between the few gaps of your seam!)
I would love to see any of your finished scarves! Post them to my Facebook page and show them off! And if you would like to see some of my inspiration follow me on Pinterest! Do you prefer Instagram? (So do I!)
I do not have a problem with individuals making and
selling items using this pattern. I do have a problem if you take my
photos and the credit:) No big deal, just use your own pictures and link
back to this page if you are selling online! Thanks so much!
Have any questions?? Please read the FAQ page HERE!
This pattern is influenced by an original copyrighted pattern by Bo Peep's Bonnets. You can find the original pattern at https://www.etsy.com/listing/170787987/instant-download-knitting-pattern-the?ref=shop_home_active_4 You can also purchase the original product here -https://www.etsy.com/listing/169791485/huntress-cowl-hand-knit-cowl-infinity .
Hannelore Hauke
Hi!
So I was reading about copyright on another blog and I wanted to make sure you were given credit for some Fingerless Mitts I made to go with you Katniss Cowl since they use your pattern of stitches!
They're posted on my blog here: http://hannelorelyn.blogspot.com/2016/02/katniss-fingerless-gloves.html
Thanks so much for posting this pattern! My first attempt came out a bit big so I gave it to a friend and I'm in the process of finishing a second that I hope is more my size 🙂
Hannelore Hauke
Hi!
So I was reading about copyright on another blog and I wanted to make sure you were given credit for some Fingerless Mitts I made to go with you Katniss Cowl since they use your pattern of stitches!
They're posted on my blog here: http://hannelorelyn.blogspot.com/2016/02/katniss-fingerless-gloves.html
Thanks so much for posting this pattern! My first attempt came out a bit big so I gave it to a friend and I'm in the process of finishing a second that I hope is more my size 🙂
kali@thefriendlyredfox.com
oh I am glad it inspired you! good luck with that second one!
Anonymous
Hi,
I just finished crocheting this beautiful pattern but for the life of me I can't seem to get it to look the same on me as in your picture.
How does it look at the back?
Anonymous
How do I twist it to get the Katniss look?
Anonymous
Oh Kali, Kali, Kali . . . 😀 I am an experienced crocheter and I understand your directions completely. I have no problem with jumping from one row over to another. Having said that, I am discouraged. I started with the Lionbrand Hometown yarn, a #6 yarn. It was way to bulky and very similar to the Lionbrand Woolease Thick & Quick, which you said was too big--and you were right. Fortunately, I only went through one skein and returned the rest.
Then I moved on to Serenity Chunky yarn, a #5 yarn. It's still quite bulky but not as much as the Lionbrand Hometown yarn is. I'm part of the way through row seven using a "P" hook (11.5 mm) as you recommended, and I've used up almost two skeins of yarn so far. AND IT'S STILL HUGE!! I mean H U G E!!! This is one FAT scarf, and it's going to make me look like I weight 500 pounds! 😀
I'm wondering if I should go down to a #4 yarn? I've read every comment on this post to get a clue as to different yarns, and many people complained about the sheer enormity of the scarf, but there weren't any good recommendations for alternative yarns. In your instructions you say to use Bernat Collegiate Chunky, which is not sold near me, but in the comments you said more than once that you used a Caron yarn and not a Bernat yarn, but you didn't say which Caron yarn you used.
So which yarn did you use? Do you think a #4 yarn would work for this scarf? I have several skeins of a nice #4 yarn, which recommends an "H" hook. Do you think if I used this yarn and went up to a "K" hook that I might get something nice out of this pattern?
I do appreciate that you took the time to post this pattern and that the pattern is free. That's really great! So I don't want to sound like I'm griping, but I'm just a little frustrated at having to return the unused skeins of yarn once again as well as wasting money on the used skeins. Your input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! ~ Melanie
kali@thefriendlyredfox.com
Melanie,
I am so sorry you are frustrated! I don't blame you one bit. I have a few recommendations for you... First try a smaller hook. I have had a lot of people say they like an m hook (9.0). Look for Bernat softee chunky yarn. The collegiate was a promotional yarn one year and I haven't seen it since but it is essentially the same thing, just in the smaller skeins. You could also try to use two strands of #4! The size won't be like in the picture. But it may be able to work for you!
Hope this helps!
Anonymous
Thank you, Kali. That does help. The Serenity yarn actually recommends an "L" hook, but I used a "P" per your instructions. I may try it with an "M" hook. In the meantime--just to let you know and to let others who may come here know as well--I tried the #4 yarn with a "K" hook. It took 234 chains just to get 65" and I am a VERY loose crocheter! I should have done just a small swatch, but nooooo. I did the full big loop and then did a row of double crochet all around. I then went to TRIPLE crochet for the next round in a 3-FPTC / 3-BPTC pattern. I did three of each--front and back posts tc--and then just picked up the yarn as an experiment and started the same pattern on top of the already-done stitches as if I had finished the entire round as was starting again. I am sad to report that the pattern is simply not very noticeable with a thinner yarn, even with the triple crochet instead of double crochet. So I won't be using a #4 yarn, and I don't care for crocheting with two strands.
So.....that is where I am, lol. I could go down to the "M" hook on the Serenity yarn as I said above, but there would necessarily be more stitches than with the "P" hook, and I could tell even with the "P" hook that I was going to need a lot more than the 600 yards I had bought. I don't know if they'll still have the same dye lot available at the store.
Oh well. Back to the drawing board. I do VERY MUCH appreciate your response, Kali! Thank you! ~ Melanie