Raccoon Scarf Crochet Pattern

Yarn: 380 yards gray heather worsted weight yarn (I used alpaca/merino/donegal yarn,
191 yards per 100 gr); 120 yards of black worsted weight yarn; 16 yards of cream
worsted weight yarn (black and cream yarns were 10-ply merino/angora blend). A great
substitute yarn is Malabrigo Worsted Merino.

Needles: size: I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

Gauge: about 14 sts = 4 inches in single crochet and double crochet

about 7 ½ rows = 4 inches in double crochet

Scarf Dimensions: about 5” wide x 61“ long

Notions: ½“ buttons for eyes

Tapestry needle

Working Round 1 Into a Yarn Ring: Leaving about a 6” tail (unless otherwise
instructed), wrap yarn into a ring around your finger as if to start a slip knot. Insert hook
into ring and yarn over hook. Pull up a loop and chain 1 (this chain will be the turning-
ch-1). Proceed to work the first round of stitches into the ring as you would into a chain
ring. When you have the desired number of stitches for your first round, tug the non-
working tail of the yarn to tighten the hole.

Single Crochet Increase (sc inc): work 2 sc into the indicated stitch

Single Crochet Decrease (sc dec): make a decrease over the next two stitches

Double Crochet Increase (dc inc): work 2 dc into the indicated stitch

Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec): make a decrease over the next two stitches

Directions:
The entire body is worked in one piece (in the round), and at the end of the scarf, the
piece will be “closed.” Therefore, it will be necessary to do any sewing and weaving-in
of yarn ends as work progresses. Once the scarf is finished, there will be no chance to
weave in ends from the inside. Therefore, make the legs, ears and strap first so that they
can be sewn onto the body or head before the body is finished. Instructions will be
given for when to sew the legs, ears, and strap to the body or head.

Legs (make 4):

The legs are worked in the round using the black yarn. All the rounds will be worked
with turning at the end of each round. The joins for the rounds will be at the center
back of the legs. Instructions for working with turning chains will be given throughout.

Round 1 (RS): With the black yarn, 6 sc into a yarn ring (follow instructions above for
Working Round 1 Into a Yarn Ring). Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1 to join. (6
sts) Ch 1, turn (turning-ch-1 does not count as a stitch).

Round 2 – Increase Round (WS): 1 sc in first sc, sc inc in next sc, [1 sc, sc inc in next
sc] twice. (9 sts) Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 3: Sc in each sc around. Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Rounds 4 – 6: Repeat Round 3. End Round 6 with ch 3, turn.

Round 7 (RS): Skipping first sc, dc in each sc around. The turning-ch-3 counts as a dc
(9 sts including turning-ch-3). Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 8: Skipping first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-
3. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat last round until piece measures 7”. End the last round with working the slip
stitch into the turning chain. End off, leaving a 15” yarn tail for sewing later, and pull
yarn firmly through loop on hook. Weave in ends on inside (except for 15” yarn tail).

Ears (make 2):

The ears are worked flat and in the round without turning, using the gray heather and
cream yarn.

Round 1 (RS): With the gray yarn, 6 sc into a yarn ring (follow instructions above for
Working Round 1 Into a Yarn Ring). Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1 to join. (6
sts) Ch 1, do not turn (turning-ch-1 does not count as a stitch).

Round 2 – Increase Round (RS): 2 sc in each sc around (12 sts). Work a slip stitch into
the turning-ch-1. End off, pulling tail through loop on hook, and leaving a 6” yarn tail.
Do not turn. Join cream yarn with a slip stitch into the first sc to the left of the last slip
stitch made with the gray yarn.

Round 3 – Increase Round (RS): [Sc inc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc] 5 times. Skip the last
sc, and work a slip stitch into the cream slip stitch made at the beginning of the round.

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End off, pulling tail through loop on hook, and leaving 15” yarn tail for sewing the ears
to the head and weaving in on wrong side.

Strap (for pulling end of scarf through to secure while wearing):

Strap is worked flat, in rows (not rounds) and with turning at the end of each row.

Row 1 (RS): With gray yarn, and leaving a 15” yarn tail for sewing, make a slip knot.
Ch 17. Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each remaining chain across. (16 sts) Ch 1,
turn.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across (turning chain does not count as stitch). Ch 1, turn.

Repeat last row three times more, ending last row with 3 sc in last stitch. Do not turn or
chain 1.

Border of strap (RS): The last row worked will be the first row of the border on the front
of the strap. Now continue to sc around edges of strap, working 2 sc across short edge;
3 sc in next corner; 1 sc in each sc of foundation chain along long edge; 3 sc in next
corner; 2 sc across next short edge; then 3 sc in last corner. Work a slip stitch in the
next sc after the last corner. End off, leaving a 15” yarn tail, and pull the yarn tail snugly
through the loop on the hook. Do not be concerned if your strap does not lie perfectly
flat, you will be sewing it flat to the body later.

Raccoon Head and Body: The raccoon head and body will be worked in one piece,
starting at the nose. The entire piece will be worked in the round. All the rounds will be
worked with turning at the end of each round. The joins for the rounds will be at the
center back of the head and body. Instructions for working with turning chains will be
given throughout. The head is worked in the round in stripes, alternating between the
black and cream yarn, then switching to the gray yarn. Do not cut yarns (until
instructed to do so) – carry them along on the inside. Keep the non-working yarn on the
inside of the head at all times.

Round 1 (RS): With black yarn, 6 sc into a yarn ring (follow instructions above for
Working Round 1 Into a Yarn Ring). Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1 to join. (6
sts) Ch 1, turn (turning-ch-1 does not count as a stitch).

Round 2 (WS): sc into each sc around. Move black yarn to inside. With cream yarn,
work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn. Do not cut black yarn - carry it
along on the inside of work.

Round 3 – Increase Round (RS): [1 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (9 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

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Round 4 – Increase Round: [2 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (12 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 5 – Increase Round: [3 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (15 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 6 – Increase Round: [4 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (18 sts) Move cream yarn to
inside. With black yarn, work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn. Do not cut
cream yarn – carry it along on the inside of work.

Round 7 – Increase Round (RS): [5 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (21 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 8: Increase Round: [6 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (24 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 9 – Increase Round: [7 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (27 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 10 – Increase Round: [8 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (30 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 11 – Increase Round: [9 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (33 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 12 – Increase Round: [10 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (36 sts) Move black yarn
to inside. With cream yarn, work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn. End off
black yarn, leaving a 6” tail for weaving in on inside.

Round 13 – Increase Round (RS): [11 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (39 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 14: Increase Round: [12 sc, sc inc in next sc] 3 times. (42 sts) Move cream yarn
to inside. With gray yarn, work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn. End off
cream yarn, leaving a 6” tail for weaving in on inside.

Round 15 – Decrease Round (RS): 9 sc, sc dec, 20 sc, sc dec, 9 sc. (40 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 16 – Decrease Round (WS): 8 sc, sc dec, 20 sc, sc dec, 8 sc. (38 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 17 – Decrease Round: 8 sc, sc dec, 18 sc, sc dec, 8 sc. (36 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

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Round 18 – Decrease Round: 7 sc, sc dec, 18 sc, sc dec, 7 sc. (34 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 19 – Decrease Round: 7 sc, sc dec, 16 sc, sc dec, 7 sc. (32 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 20 – Decrease Round: 6 sc, sc dec, 16 sc, sc dec, 6 sc. (30 sts) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1, turn.

Round 21: sc in each sc around. (30 sts) Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-1. Ch 1,
turn.

Repeat last round once, ending with no chain 1 or turn. Put working loop on a holder.
At this time, sew buttons to front of head for eyes, using Diagram 1 as a guide for
placement. Sew ears to front of head (referring to Diagram 1 for placement), using the
longest yarn tail as your “thread” – sew the ears at an angle (angling backward) starting
at the bottom back of each ear and ending at the center back of each ear. Pull all the
yarn tails to the inside and secure well before weaving in. Weave in the black and
cream yarn ends left from making the stripes and nose.

Begin Body in Double Crochet:

Round 1: Remove working loop from holder, ch 3, turn. (RS) Skip first sc (turning-ch-3
counts as dc), 1 dc in each sc around. (30 sts including turning-ch-3) Work a slip stitch
into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 2 (WS): Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a slip stitch into the
turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 3 – Increase Round: Skip first dc, 6 dc, dc inc, 15 dc, dc inc, 6 dc. (32 sts) Work
a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Rounds 4 – 5: Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-
3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 6 – Increase Round: Skip first dc, 6 dc, dc inc, 17 dc, dc inc, 6 dc. (34 sts) Work
a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Rounds 7 – 8: Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-
3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 9 – Increase Round: Skip first dc, 7 dc, dc inc, 17 dc, dc inc, 7 dc. (36 sts) Work
a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

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Round 10: Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3.
Ch 3, turn.

Repeat the last round, working even on 36 stitches (including turning-ch-3), turning at
the end of each round, until the entire piece measures 48” long, ending with a right
side round.

Placing working loop onto a holder, take this opportunity while body is still “open” to
whip stitch front legs (all the way around the open top edges) to the underside (back)
of the body – see Diagram 1 to help you with placement, and make sure the “fronts” of
the legs are facing front when you sew them. Whip stitch the strap into place on the
underside of the body at the short ends of the strap only, with right side facing out,
using the yarn tails for sewing, and referring to Diagram 1 to help you with placement.
Weave in ends on the inside. Then continue with body.

Begin decrease rounds for tapering lower end of body (before beginning tail):

Round 1 – Decrease Round (WS): Skip first dc, 3 dc, dc dec, [4 dc, dc dec] 5 times.
(30 sts) Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Rounds 2 – Decrease Round (RS): Skip first dc, 2 dc, dc dec, [3 dc, dc dec] 5 times.
(24 sts) Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 3 – Decrease Round (WS): Skip first dc, 1 dc, dc dec, [2 dc, dc dec] 5 times.
(18 sts)

Placing working loop onto a holder, whip stitch back legs (all the way around the open
top edges) to the underside (back) of the body – see Diagram 1 to help you with
placement, and make sure the “fronts” of the legs are facing front when you sew them.
Make sure all ends are woven in on the inside of work.

Tail:
The tail is worked in the round in stripes, alternating between the black and gray yarn.
Do not cut yarns – carry them along on the inside. Keep the non-working yarn on the
inside of the tail at all times.

Round 1: Move gray yarn to inside. With black yarn, work a slip stitch into the turning-
ch-3 of last round worked. Ch 3, turn. (RS) Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a
slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 2 – Increase Round (WS): Skip first dc, [2 dc, dc inc, 3 dc, dc inc,] 2 times, 3 dc.
(22 sts)

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Round 3: Move black yarn to inside. With gray yarn, work a slip stitch into the turning-
ch-3 of last round worked. Ch 3, turn. (RS) Skip first dc, dc in each dc around. Work a
slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn. Now pause work for a moment to weave in
black yarn tail (from two rounds back) on the inside.

Round 4 – Increase Round (WS): Skip first dc, 2 dc, dc inc [4 dc, dc inc] 3 times, 3 dc.
(26 sts)

Round 5: Repeat Round 1.

Round 6 – Increase Round (WS): Skip first dc, 4 dc, dc inc, 14 dc, dc inc, 5 dc. (28 sts)

Round 7: Repeat Round 3.

Round 8: Skip first dc, dc in each dc around.

Round 9: Repeat Round 1.

Round 10: Skip first dc, dc in each dc around.

Round 11 – 14: Repeat Rounds 7 – 10.

Round 15 – 16: Repeat Rounds 7 – 8.

Round 17: Repeat Round 1.

Round 18 – Decrease Round: Skip first dc, 1 dc, dc dec, [2 dc, dc dec] twice, 4 dc, [dc
dec, 2 dc] 3 times. (22 sts)

Round 19: Repeat Round 3.

Round 20 – Decrease Round: Skip first dc, [1 dc, dc dec] 3 times, 2 dc, [dc dec, 1 dc]
twice, dc dec, 2 dc. (16 sts)

Round 21: Repeat Round 1. End off gray yarn with a 6” yarn tail and weave in end.

Round 22 – Decrease Round: Skip first dc, [1 dc, dc dec] twice, 2 dc, dc dec, 1 dc, dc
dec, 2 dc. (12 sts) Work a slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 23 – Decrease Round: Skip first dc, [dc dec, 1 dc] 3 times, dc dec. (8 sts) Work a
slip stitch into the turning-ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Round 24 – Decrease Round: Skip first dc, [dc dec] 3 times, 1 dc. (5 sts) Work a slip
stitch into the turning-ch-3. End off black yarn, leaving an 8” yarn tail. Pull end through

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working loop and pull snugly. Whip stitch top loops of last round together, then pull
end up snugly to tighten hole. Make a secure knot and pull the yarn tail to the inside of
work (using a tapestry needle) – the end can be weaved in on the underside of the
stitches from the outside using the tapestry needle.

Blocking:
The raccoon head and body can be washed and blocked to “set” the shaping.

Copyright Notice: you may sell what you make from this pattern, and if you do so,
please list beeskneesknitting.etsy.com as the source for the design. Please do not re-sell
or distribute this pattern to others in any manner.

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