Knit the Sky / Crochet the Sky: Patterns Included!

Have you ever thought about turning the changing colors of the sky into a knitting or crochet project? A sky scarf is a creative way to document the weather one day at a time, using yarn colors that represent the sky you see outside.

I first discovered the idea while reading Knit the Sky: Cultivate Your Creativity with a Playful Way of Knitting by Lea Redmond. Of all the creative and whimsical projects in the book, knitting the sky was the idea that immediately captured my imagination.

The concept is simple: each day, choose yarn colors that best represent the sky and knit or crochet two rows. Blue might represent a clear day, blue and white can capture fluffy clouds, and shades of gray can mark an overcast or stormy sky. Over time, your scarf becomes a unique visual record of the weather.

What I love most about this project is how it encourages you to slow down, look outside, and notice the sky each day. Even on dark and gloomy days, the earlier rows of blue are a visual reminder that brighter skies will come again. And because nature determines the color sequence, no two sky scarves will ever be exactly alike.

I’ve included both a basic knit sky scarf pattern and crochet sky scarf pattern below so you can make your own.

How to Knit or Crochet the Sky

I’ve included basic knitting and crochet scarf patterns below if you’d like to follow along with me, but feel free to use the idea with any project you choose. You could make a baby blanket documenting the nine months of pregnancy, an engagement shawl counting down to the big day, or another project that marks a special period of time.

You can customize your project even further by adding colored beads for rainy, snowy, or special days, using fuzzy yarn for fog, or adding a sparkly yarn to represent snow.

Check out this video from the Storey Publishing Facebook page to see how this idea evolved into a gorgeous blanket!

Sky Scarf Pattern

Pattern Details

• Skill level: Easy
• Yarn: Lace-weight yarn in 3 to 5 colors, held double throughout
• Knitting needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) or 3.5 mm (US 4)
• Crochet hook: 3.25 mm (US D-3) or 3.5 mm (US E-4)
• Optional: Size 6/0 seed beads to represent rain, snow, or other weather
• Construction: Scarf is worked flat in rows using two strands of yarn held together. Two rows are worked each day using colors chosen to represent the sky.
• Finished size: Varies depending on gauge and the number of days recorded.

Materials

• 3 to 5 colors of lace-weight yarn: Amount needed will vary depending on the length of your project and the colors used. I chose Jagger Spun in white, ice blue, and charcoal. Other options could include bright or dark blue and light or dark gray.
• Knitting needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) or 3.5 mm (US 4)
• Crochet hook: 3.25 mm (US D-3) or 3.5 mm (US E-4)
• Size 6/0 seed beads (optional; white beads for snow; blue beads for rain)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Knitting Abbreviations

• k: knit
• st(s): stitch(es)

Crochet Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)

How to Choose Your Sky Colors

Split each hank of yarn into two small balls, so you have two balls of each color. Using two strands of yarn together, knit or crochet two rows each day. For example, two strands of blue could indicate clear blue skies; a strand of blue and white together would represent a day with blue skies and white fluffy clouds; two strands of gray would mean a stormy day, etc. See the image below for the color combination key I used for my scarf.

Knit Sky Scarf Pattern

With 2 color strands representing that day’s sky, cast on 40 sts.

Row 1: With the same 2 strands held together, slip 1st st purlwise with yarn in front, move yarn to back, and k across — 40 sts.

Row 2: With the same 2 strands held together, slip 1st st purlwise with yarn in front, move yarn to back, and k across — 40 sts.

Repeat these 2 rows each day, switching yarn colors to represent that day’s sky, and carry the extra strands up the side as you work.

Crochet Sky Scarf Pattern

With 2 color strands representing that day’s sky, chain 41 sts.

Row 1: With the same 2 strands together, work 1 sc in the second ch from hook and in each ch across, turn — 40 sts.

Row 2: With the same 2 strands, ch 1 (does not count as a st), work 1 sc in each st across, turn — 40 sts.

Repeat Row 2 twice for each day, changing yarn colors as needed to represent the sky. Carry unused strands neatly along the side as you work.

No Time to Stitch?

If you have a day (or days!) when life is just too hectic to sit down and stitch your rows, no worries. This project is supposed to be fun, not add more pressure to an already busy day. Just document the colors in a journal …

… jot down the weather in your planner, calendar, or calendar app, or, as author Lea Redmond suggests, snap a photo with your phone. Then, when you have time, you can catch up on the days you missed.

Show Me Your Sky

Want to knit or crochet a sky scarf? I would love for you to share yours with me so I can see all the beautiful color variations and weather patterns throughout the world. Share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, or the Petals to Picots Community.

More Crochet Scarf Patterns

• Autumn Ripple Crochet Scarf Pattern
• Scarflette Crochet Pattern With Scalloped Edging
• Infinity Scarf Crochet Pattern / Mobius Scarf
• Crochet Scarf Pattern – Mod Cluster Stitch Scarf
• Chevron Crochet Scarf Pattern With Optional Fringe
• 3 Color Crochet Scarf Pattern
• See More Scarf Patterns