10 Free Infinity Scarf Patterns

Infinity Scarves are scarves that are crocheted back-and-forth in rows, before being seamed to form a continuous loop. They can be made in a number of different lengths and widths and you can seam them flat, or with a twist (also known as a mobius).

Sometimes infinity scarves are crocheted in rounds; you may also see these referred to as infinity cowls. You will find the terms scarves and cowls used interchangeably by Designers online.

Traditionally, cowls are of shorter length and they fit more closely to the neck and chest; rather than long scarves that you can wrap more than once around your neck.

For more information about standard scarf lengths and widths, as well as, tricks in choosing the right length and width to make scarves for adults and children, please continue reading this post.

If you are only here for the free patterns, scroll to the very end for the links!

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10 Free Infinity Scarf Patterns

The links to the free crochet patterns are located at the end of the post.

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Standard Scarf Length

The standard scarf length is approximately 60 inches. But scarf length is totally about personal preference – some people prefer long scarves that you can wrap around your neck multiple times (Remember the Iconic Dr. Who Style Scarves? They measured approximately 144 inches long and about 12 inches wide!), while other people prefer shorter scarves; scarves that wrap around your neck only once and then the two ends are overlapped slightly and pinned closed.

Some standard scarf sizes:

• 6 inches wide X 40 inches long
• 8 inches wide X 60 inches long
• 10 inches wide X 70 inches long

Traditional Techniques to Determine Scarf Length

• One traditional technique that was used to determine how long to make a scarf is to ask the person who you are making it for to hold their arms out to either side of their body and then measure the distance from the fingertip of the left-hand, to the fingertip of the right-hand.

For me that distance is 62-inches. For my 10-year old daughter that measurement is 54-inches and for my 8-year old son, the measurement is 54-inches.

• Another traditional way to determine a measurement for scarf length is to go by the height of the person. Make the scarf as long as they are tall.

For me that measurement is 63-inches. For my daughter, her height is 53-inches and my son’s height is 51-inches. Pretty close to the arm-span measurement 😉

These methods will work for all ages and sizes of people.

One note, being a plus-sized person I like my scarf to have a little more length so I tend to go up to a measurement of 70-inches when I make a scarf, or an infinity scarf, for myself.

Traditional Techniques to Determine Scarf Width

• Measure the distance from the tip of your your ‘baby finger’ to the tip of your thumb, across the palm of your hand, with your fingers spread wide. This is called your hand-span.

This will give you a good idea of how wide to make the scarf. For example, my handspan is 7-inches. My 10-year old daughter’s hand-span is 6-inches. My 8 year old son’s handspan is 6.5-inches.

• Double the handspan measurement for a cowl width.

Children’s scarves measure from 3 to 6 inches in width.

Adult’s scarves measure from 6 to 8 inches in width.

Remember you don’t have to stick to these measurements!

One other thing I should mention, is that it is important to take into consideration the thickness of the fabric you are making. If you are using a very heavy yarn, or a very dense stitch pattern, the fabric may not be able to ‘move’ as much (think “stiff as a board” where it can stand up all by itself). This could be a very uncomfortable scarf (or cowl) to wear, if it is too wide, or too long!

10 Free Infinity Scarf Patterns