Nestora

Leafy Medallion Crochet Pattern: Free Cable Stitch Scarf

This pattern makes a long textured scarf in a leafy medallion cable stitch worked side to side. You need confident-beginner skills: chains, single and double crochet, front post stitches and simple two-stitch cables. Estimated working time is about 4 to 5 hours for a 60 in scarf.

Leafy Medallion Cable Stitch Sampler Scarf

Free crochet pattern · US terms

Yarn: 4 - Medium (worsted) — suggested
Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) — verify with a swatch
Gauge: 16 sts x 14 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in the main medallion pattern, unblocked, measured over the middle of the swatch (calculated, not measured)
Size: approx. About 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide by 60 in (152 cm) long, calculated from the stated gauge and row count
Level: Confident beginner
Time: about 4 h 30 min (estimate)

Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.

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The scarf is one flat rectangle worked in rows from short end to short end, so the leafy medallions stack across the width and repeat along the length. Raised front post double crochets form the vine, and crossed double crochets make the small leaf shapes between them.

It suits crocheters who can keep a steady stitch count and are ready to try post stitches and a basic cable. The fabric is dense enough for cold weather and lies flat with light blocking.

Before You Start

Time Estimate: About 4 to 5 hours of working time for the standard 60 in (152 cm) length, based on the stated gauge and stitch count, not on a timed test.

Yarn Amount: Estimated about 480 yd (440 m), roughly 2 skeins of 220 yd each; buy a third skein if your tension is loose.

Swatch First: Work a 20-stitch, 12-row swatch of the main pattern repeat to check gauge and to learn the post stitch and cable before starting the scarf.

Skill Focus: The only new moves are front post double crochet and a two-stitch left cross; both are explained in the special stitches.

Materials

Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.

2 to 3 skeins of worsted weight yarn, about 220 yd (200 m) each, in a solid light or medium color

A smooth, plied worsted shows cables clearly; fuzzy or dark yarn hides the texture. A heavy DK weight can substitute if you match gauge.

5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook

Matches worsted weight for a firm fabric that holds cable texture. Go up to 5.5 mm (I-9) if your swatch comes out too narrow.

Tapestry needle

Used to weave in ends and to join the fringe if you add it. A blunt tip slides through crochet stitches without splitting them.

Stitch marker or scrap yarn

Marks the first stitch of the row so the turning chain is not mistaken for a stitch. Any removable clip works.

Tape measure and scissors

Needed for the gauge swatch and checkpoint. Sharp scissors give clean fringe ends.

Yarn needed (estimate): Estimated about 480 yd (440 m), about 2 skeins of 220 yd (200 m) / 100 g

Gauge and Size

Gauge: 16 sts x 14 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in the main medallion pattern, unblocked, measured over the middle of the swatch. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.

Finished size (approximate): About 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide by 60 in (152 cm) long, calculated from the stated gauge and row count. Your size depends on your gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbr.	Meaning
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
FPdc	front post double crochet
dc2tog	double crochet 2 stitches together
st	stitch
sts	stitches
sp	space
rep	repeat
FO	fasten off

Special Stitches

Front post double crochet (FPdc)

Yarn over, insert the hook from front to back around the post of the stitch two rows below, then front to back to the starting side. Yarn over and pull up a loop, then finish as a normal double crochet. The stitch sits in front of the fabric and makes the raised vine.

Left cross cable (LC)

Skip the next stitch. Work 1 dc in the following stitch, going in front of the skipped stitch. Then work 1 dc into the skipped stitch, inserting the hook behind the first dc. This crosses two stitches with the right-hand stitch in front.

Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog)

Yarn over, insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Yarn over, insert the hook in the following stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

How This Pattern Is Written

Worked flat in rows from short end to short end. Turn at the end of every row.
The turning chain of 2 does not count as a stitch. Work the first dc of each row into the first stitch, and mark it if you tend to lose it.
Right side faces you on odd-numbered rows. The raised vine and leaf crosses are made on the right side; wrong-side rows are plain dc.
All post stitches are worked around the post of a stitch in the row two below the current row, which is why the row below a cable row is plain.
Stitch counts include every stitch across the row; the chain-2 turning chain is not counted.
Each LC block uses 2 stitches; Row 5 has 5 LC blocks separated and edged by dc, for 24 sts total. The stitch count stays constant on every row.

Checkpoint after Row 8: The piece should be about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide and about 2.3 in (6 cm) tall, with one raised vine running along the row and one crossed leaf pair visible above it. Count 24 sts across the row, not counting the turning chain.

The Pattern

Scarf

Row 1: Ch 26. Dc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn.(24 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Dc in the first st and in each st across. Turn.(24 dc)
Row 3: Ch 2. Dc in the first st. *FPdc around the post of the next st 2 rows below, dc in the next st; rep from * to the last 2 sts, FPdc around the post of the next st 2 rows below, dc in the last st. Turn.(24 sts: 12 FPdc, 12 dc)
Row 4: Ch 2. Dc in the first st and in each st across, working into the top of each FPdc as a normal dc. Turn.(24 dc)
Row 5: Ch 2. Dc in the first 2 sts. *LC over the next 2 sts (skip 1 st, dc in the next st in front, dc in the skipped st behind), dc in the next 2 sts; rep from * 4 more times, LC over the next 2 sts, dc in each of the last 2 sts. Turn.(24 sts: 5 crossed leaf pairs, 14 dc)
Row 6: Ch 2. Dc in the first st and in each st across. Turn.(24 dc)
Row 7: Ch 2. Dc in the first st. *FPdc around the post of the next st 2 rows below, dc in the next st; rep from * to the last 2 sts, FPdc around the post of the next st 2 rows below, dc in the last st. Turn.(24 sts: 12 FPdc, 12 dc)
Row 8: Ch 2. Dc in the first st and in each st across. Turn.(24 dc)
Rows 9-10: Rep Rows 5-6 once more for a second leaf pair. Turn at the end of Row 10.(24 sts: 5 crossed leaf pairs, 14 dc on the LC row; 24 dc on the plain row)
Rows 11-206: Rep Rows 3-10 twenty-four times, then rep Rows 3-6 once more. This gives 26 vine rows with leaf pairs between them and ends on a plain dc row (Row 206). Do not turn after the last row.(24 dc)
Row 207: Turn. Ch 1. Sc in the first st and in each st across. FO.(24 sc)

Finishing and Assembly

1. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail under several stitches in one direction and back in another to lock it.
2. Block lightly: mist the scarf, pat it flat to about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide, and let it dry away from direct heat. Do not press with a hot iron.
3. Optional fringe: cut 48 strands of about 8 in (20 cm). Fold 2 strands together, pull the fold through a stitch at one short end with the hook, then pull the ends through the fold and tighten. Space them evenly across all 24 stitches, then repeat at the other end.
4. Trim fringe ends evenly and check that no loose tails remain on the right side.

Sizes and Variations

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Troubleshooting

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
The scarf gets wider or narrower as you go	The turning chain is being counted as a stitch, or the first stitch of the row is being skipped.	Count each row before turning. The ch 2 is not a stitch, so the first dc goes into the very first stitch, and the row should read 24 sts.
The raised vine looks flat or disappears	The FPdc was worked into the stitch directly below instead of around the post two rows down.	Look two rows below the working row, find the post of the stitch, and wrap the hook around it from front to back. The raised stitch should sit on top of the fabric.
Holes appear where the leaf crosses	The skipped stitch was worked too loosely, or the second dc went into the wrong stitch.	Keep the first dc snug, then work the second dc into the skipped stitch behind it. Pull gently on both stitches after making them to close the gap.
Edges are wavy	Tension changes between plain dc rows and cable rows.	Work the cable rows slightly looser and the plain rows at normal tension. Light blocking at the end evens out small waves.
The swatch is narrower than 4 in (10 cm)	Tension is tighter than the gauge, or the yarn is thinner than worsted.	Try a 5.5 mm (I-9) hook and measure again. If the width is still off, add one 8-stitch repeat, which changes the count by 8.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, squeeze gently without wringing, and roll in a towel to remove water. Lay flat to dry and reshape to size; do not tumble dry or iron.

Questions Makers Ask

Do I need a chart for the leafy medallion stitch?

No. The pattern is written row by row with the repeat stated, and every row keeps 24 stitches, so you can follow the text alone. A chart helps visual learners, but it is not required.

Can I make this scarf wider or narrower?

Yes. Each medallion block is 8 stitches, so add or remove multiples of 8 in the starting chain. A 16-stitch chain gives a narrow 4 in (10 cm) scarf; a 32-stitch chain gives about 8 in (20 cm).

Is this pattern suitable for a first cable project?

It is a good first cable project because the cable is only two stitches and the crossed stitches are separated by plain double crochet. Practice the LC on the swatch before starting the scarf.

How much yarn does the scarf use?

The estimate is about 480 yd (440 m) for a 60 in (152 cm) scarf at the stated gauge. This is a calculation from stitch counts, not a measured amount, so buy an extra skein if you plan fringe or a longer scarf.

Designer's note: Count the row before you turn; most mistakes in this stitch come from losing the first stitch of a plain row. If you add fringe, cut all strands before attaching so the ends match.

Next: Try a matching leafy medallion headband worked in the round to practice joining rows without a turning chain.

Printed from Nestora — https://nestora.medsaca.com/2026/10/24/leafy-medallion-cable-scarf/