Meet the Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf – a fun, modern twist on the classic granny stitch that’s perfect for all ages. This pattern is for an easy crochet scarf that takes the familiar comfort of a traditional granny stitch and gives it a little attitude with the granny spike stitch—a longer stitch worked two rows below that creates bold, graphic texture without adding difficulty.

Don’t let the word spike intimidate you! This pattern is an easy crochet scarf with a simple two-row repeat, making it a perfect project for confident beginners and beyond. Plus, I’ve included video tutorials to walk you through the granny spike stitch if it’s new to you.

You can choose to work your scarf in short rows (free below) or long rows (in the paid pdf pattern), and the results are stunning either way. One of my favorite things about this design is how dramatically different it looks depending on where you change colors. I’ll show you three versions in the post — changing color every row, every other row, and every three rows — and trust me, each one has its own personality!

That’s what I adore about crochet: the way a tiny tweak can completely transform your project. And since this design is unisex, it’s perfect for anyone on your gift list — or for donation. The pattern includes nine sizes, from toddler (age 2) all the way to men’s large, so you can make one for everyone in the family.

Why You’ll Love the Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf

• ✅ Easy repeat – just a 2-row pattern you’ll memorize in minutes.
• 🎥 Video tutorials included – ideal if you’re new to the granny spike stitch.
• 🎁 Perfect for gifting – unisex design, modern look, and quick to make.
• 🖤 Endless color options – experiment with different stripe intervals for totally unique looks.
• 🧶 9 sizes included – from age 2 to men’s large, so nobody gets left out.

If you love projects that balance simple stitches with impressive texture, this one’s for you.

Get the Ad-Free PDF

Prefer your patterns printer-friendly and free from ads? You can grab the ad-free PDF version of the Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf pattern in any of my shops:

The PDF includes the full written pattern, size guide, short and long row versions of this scarf, and video tutorial links — perfect for crocheting offline or gifting the pattern to a fellow yarn lover.

From Us to You Event – October 2025

The Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf was my contribution to the From Us to You Event, a wonderful designer collaboration that celebrates handmade generosity, creativity, and community.

Each month has its own theme, and for October 2025, the focus was black and white and the granny spike stitch. It was the perfect opportunity to design something classic yet bold — and honestly, the name just wrote itself! 😄

The From Us to You Event brings together crocheters with designs from myself and Sandrastitches. We share free patterns, tips, and inspiration — encouraging crocheters everywhere to make and give handmade gifts. It’s such a feel-good project, and I’m thrilled to have this spiky little number as my contribution.

Video Tutorials

If you’re new to the granny spike stitch or want to see how to work the color changes cleanly, you’ll find full step-by-step video tutorials on my YouTube channel.

🎥 Right handed version – https://youtu.be/myrj9JciL5k
🎥 Left Handed version – https://youtu.be/BnCs7Gdgpts

You can also find Sandra’s video tutorial for this stitch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aroKEPNLKvk

These videos will guide you through each stitch and row repeat, so you can crochet with confidence — no guesswork required!

Pattern Specifics

Before you dive in, here are all the details you’ll need to make your own Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf.

This pattern was designed to be beginner-friendly, with easy-to-follow stitch repeats and video tutorials to walk you through the granny spike stitch step by step. Whether you’re making a cozy little scarf for a toddler or a stylish wrap for yourself, this pattern has you covered!

Skill Level:
🧶 Easy / Confident Beginner

Yarn:
#4 weight (Aran) yarn – I used Paintbox Simply Aran in Black and White.
You’ll need at least two contrasting colors to really make those spikes pop!

Hook Size:
5mm (H-8) crochet hook

Gauge:
16 sts (inc the Ch1 sps between the granny stitch clusters) and 11 rows in 4”

However, as this is a scarf, you do not need to be exact with your gauge.

Sizes and approximate yardage:
This pattern is written in 9 sizes, ranging from age 2 to men’s large:

• Toddler (age 3-5) – 159 yards
• Child (age 5-7) – 194 yards
• Child (age 8-10) – 275 yards
• Teen – 314 yards
• Women’s Small – 423 yards
• Women’s Medium – 449 yards
• Women’s Large – 532 yards
• Men’s Medium – 516 yards
• Men’s Large – 616 yards

Materials:

• 5mm crochet hook
• #4 weight (Aran) yarn in 2 contrasting colors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional but handy for counting repeats)
• Tape measure

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• Ch(s) – chain(s)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Sk(d) – skip(ped)
• Rep – repeat
• Sdc – spiked double crochet 
• Sc – single crochet
• Dc – double crochet 
• YO – yarn over 
• FO – fasten off 

Pattern Notes:

• Written in US terms. 
• The free pattern is for the short row version only.
• When working the sdc you will always be working this stitch into the second of the 3 dc from 2 rows below.
• Where instructions differ for sizing these will be noted as: 3-5 (5-7, 8-10, teen, women’s sm, women’s med) (women’s lg, men’s sm, men’s med, men’s lg)
• You may change colour at any point in the pattern. For my short row version (black and white) I changed colour every 2 rows. For my long row version I changed colour every 3 rows. In my video tutorial I change colour every row.

Special Stitch:
Spiked Double Crochet: YO, insert hook into 2^nd of the 3dc from 2 rows below, YO and pull up a loop to the height of your current row, YO and pull through 2 loops on your hook, YO and pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook.

I have video tutorials on how to work the spiked dc and the granny spike stitch at: 

Right handed – https://youtu.be/myrj9JciL5k

Left handed – https://youtu.be/BnCs7Gdgpts

Tip: You can check out my Granny Spike Stitch Tutorial on YouTube for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf – Free Easy Crochet Scarf Pattern

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Row 1  If working short rows:

Ch 20 (20, 24, 24, 28, 28)(32, 32, 36, 36) 2dc in 4^th ch from hook, *ch1, sk3 ch’s, 3dc in next ch*. Rep from * to * across. Note: you will end with 3 dc in the last chain. 

Row 2: Turn, ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), *sk 3dc, 1dc into ch1 sp, 1 sdc in 2^nd of the 3 sk’d sts 2 rows below, 1dc in same ch1 sp, ch1* Rep from * to * until you have worked the last ch1 sp of the row below, ch1, dc into top of turning ch from row below.

Row 3: Turn, Ch3 (counts as dc), Sdc in 2^nd of the 3 dc from 2 rows below, dc into first ch1 sp, *ch1, sk 3dc, dc in next ch1 sp, sdc in 2^nd of the 3dc from 2 rows below, 1dc in same ch1 sp* rep from * to * across. (Note: there is no need to work into the turning chain from the previous row but if you choose to you can work the last dc into the top of the turning chain instead of the ch1 sp.)

Rows 4-on: Rep rows 2 and 3 until your work is 36 (44, 50, 47, 64, 68)(69, 67, 70, 75)” tall.

Wrapping It Up

The Granny’s Got Spikes Scarf is and easy crochet scarf pattern. It is one of those patterns that looks way more complicated than it actually is — and that’s my favorite kind. You’ll find yourself hooked after just a couple of rows (pun absolutely intended).

So grab your yarn, pick your colors, and spike it like Granny means business. 💪🧶