Knitting patterns for scarves knit with self-striping, variegated, gradient and other color change yarn. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 10/27/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Follow me for more patterns:
Free Patterns
Silly Goose Scarf
Lace scarf with a zigzag lace in a 14 row repeat that is a great showcase for multicolored or solid yarns. Designed by Chic and Regal Knits. Worsted or Fingering/Sock weight yarns.
Short Row Wave Scarf
Colorful scarf knit in garter stitch shaped into waves with short rows. Knit with two colorways of gradient yarn for color dimention, though I think you could use a solid color for the contrast yarn (or even both yarns). Designed by Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns. Worsted weight yarn.
Fitzgerald Scarf
Reversible scarf that looks great on both sides, knit with a 10 row repeat slipped stitch rib and bordered with optional ruffle. Perfect for multicolor yarn. Designed by Megan Goodacre. Sport weight yarn.
Watercolors Garter Hooded Scarf
Scarf with pockets and hood knit mostly in garter stitch. Scarf and Hood are worked separately then sewn together. Great showcase for self-striping or gradient yarn. Designed by Lion Brand. Uses about 500 yards(450 meters)of Bulky weight yarn.
Practical Magic Scarf
Scarf worked on the bias with 2 colors that blend into each other with stripes. Use a variegated yarn for one half in stockinette with a lace edge and a constrasting solid for the other half in a diagonal eyelet lace. Designed by Mac and Joe. Fingering weight yarn.
ZickZack Scarf
Easy scarf knit with 2 self-striping / sock yarns in zigzag chevrons that are worked with single increases and decreases. Designed by Christy Kamm. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Fingering weight yarn. Available in English, German, Dutch, Polish, and more.
Bias Lace Scarf
Easy scarf knit in a 6 row repeat bias eyelet with no purl stitches that showcases gradient and color change yarn. Designed by Susan Ashcroft. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Pictured project by xstitch. Fingering weight yarn.
Madeira Island Wrap
Oval-shaped shawlette or scarf, with lots of stockinette, fun, easy raglan type increases, and a dash of old Spanish lace. The oval shape is wearable and flattering. Designed by Jayalakshmi for Knotions. The oval shape showcases gradient or color change yarn.
Gathered Rib Scarf
Scarf knit with a 10 row repeat that showcases gradient and color-change yarn. Designed by Gretchen Tracy. Worsted yarn weight.
Diamond Cable
Knit with 2 diamond cables on a seed stitch background that showcases gradient yarn. Designed by Lana Grossa. Worsted yarn weight.
Easy Short Row Scarf
Worked in short rows of garter stitch that create natural ruffles and ripples that showcases color change yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Worsted yarn weights. Pictured projects by the designer and Okiecowgirl.
More Free Patterns
Dentado Scarf
Lisa R. Myers designed this sophisticated scarf with two ombre yarns in a chevron lace pattern.
Braided Scarf
Fun scarf with sections of woven i-cord incorporated in can be worn many different ways. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by Susan B. Anderson. This pattern was featured in Season 1 of Knit and Crochet Now! and is free with registration at Annie’s. Pictured project by FiveSticks
- Get the free knitting pattern with free registration at Annie’s
- Get the Knit and Crochet Now video tutorial for $3.99 (includes instruction for 2 patterns and other techniques)
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Rasta used in the pictured project at Amazon
Workday Scarf
Easy scarf that consists of an 8 row repeat (7 of garter stitch and one of the lace). You do the 8 row increase repeat until the scarf is as half the length you want and then do the 8 row repeat decrease. Great for showcasing variegated, gradient, or cake yarn. Designed by Sue Flanders. Finished measurements; Length=60″, Width=1-1/2 to 8″. Pictured projects by cbass who used a gradient yarn and slwalsh
Favorite Scarf Ever
Lisa Bruce designed this chevron lace specifically to show off variegated yarn.
Prismatic Scarf
Huan-Hua Chye’s easy scarf uses a diagonal slipped-stitch herringbone rib pattern that creates slanting rays of color especially designed to show off variegated yarn, though the texture looks great in solid colors too. Pictured project by Maj
Seafoam Scarf
Joan Janes used garter stitch, yarnovers and dropped stitches to create an exquisite design that is easy to knit and perfect for multi-colored yarn.
Emily's Woven Scarf
Neckwarmer scarf with a 6 row repeat textured stitch and a braided central section. Designed by Emily Dormier with a photo tutorial. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by scarlettdahling who found it an easy project with clear instructions.
Posie Rows Scarf
Alternate colors of multi-colored sock yarn in 4 row repeat Daisy Stitch create striking textured stripes. Designed by Julie Tarsha. Great stashbuster!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns® Spuntaneous yarn at Amazon
- See more Daisy Stitch Knitting Patterns
Bargello Scarf
This easy lace scarf is knit with an easy 4-row repeat with three columns of color. Designed especially for multi-color yarn by Patty Nance for Red Heart.
Mock Plaid Scarf
Designed by Susan Druding for Crystal Palace Yarns, easy slipped stitch colorwork with two multi-colored yarns creates a striking geometric pattern. You could also substitute one or two solid colors. Recommended yarn available on pattern page.
- Get the free knitting pattern for free registration at Annie’s site
- Purchase the video class for this pattern and two other patterns (not necessary to get the free pattern)
Rainbow Scarf
This double knit scarf by Eline Sanders is easily customizable and perfect for multi-colored yarn!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- See more Multi-Colored Yarn Knitting Patterns
On the Bias Scarf
Designed by Knit and Crochet Now, multi-colored yarn combines with short row sections to create a stunning scarf. This is a pattern that really cries out for multi-colored, self-striping, or variegated yarn. Recommended yarn available on pattern page.
- Get the free knitting pattern for free registration at Annie’s site
- Purchase the video tutorial for this pattern and two other patterns (not necessary to get the free pattern)
Lacy Scarf
Tanis Gray’s narrow lace scarf is perfect for multi-color yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Caliper Stitch Scarf
No longer free. Scarf knit with a 2 row repeat of wrapped and dropped stitches that forma a herringbone texture that showcases gradient and color-change yarn. Designed by See Love Share.
Georgetown Scarf
Long strip knit in garter stitch with a gradient yarn finished with solid borders of slipped garter ribbing for a handsome scarf. Designed by Laura Aylor. Worsted weight yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Lovecrafts
- Get the recommended Noro Kureyon yarn at Etsy
Slip Stitch Scarf
Easy 2 color scarf knit with an easy slip stitch colorwork in what looks like a 4 row repeat. Use a color-change yarn with a contrasting solid to get a range of colors. Designed by Andi Javori. Aran weight yarn. One of the patterns in Casual Weekend Knits
See more pics and get Casual Weekend Knits at Leisure Arts (ebook or paperback)
Shetland Lace Scarf
Knit with a 4 row repeat variation of the Old Shale stitch. An adventurous beginner could easily master this pattern according to the designer. Designed for color-change cake yarn that creates a lovely color block effect. Designed by Lullaby Lodge. Aran weight yarn.
- Get the knitting pattern at Lovecrafts
- Get the MATCHING HAT knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Caron Cakes yarn at Amazon
Pseudo Shibori Scarf
Ribbed and textured scarf knit on the bias, but without the felting associated with shibori. Designed by Laura Irwin. Pictured project by AryaStark. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. One of the 20 patterns in the Boutique Knits eBook
- Get Boutique Knits on Amazon (Kindle and paperback)
- Get the Kauni Wool 8/1 Lace yarn used in the pictured project on Etsy
