Her Infinity and His Fringed Christmas Cactus Scarves in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Her Infinity and His Fringed Christmas Cactus Scarves in Caron Simply Soft – Crochet Pattern Summary

Designed by Darla Fanton, this downloadable PDF crochet pattern delivers two nearly-matching festive scarves perfect for the holiday season. Inspired by the Christmas cactus, the pair makes a thoughtful gift set or a coordinated his-and-hers project. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as a free downloadable PDF. Each scarf uses Caron Simply Soft yarn in complementary colorways, blending traditional and Tunisian crochet techniques for two distinct but coordinated finished pieces.

Her Infinity Christmas Cactus Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Her Infinity Scarf is a circular, joined scarf measuring 5¼ inches (13 cm) wide with a circumference of 52 inches (132 cm). It is worked in the round using traditional crochet stitches, creating a seamless loop that can be worn draped once or doubled around the neck for extra warmth and style during the holiday season.

Techniques Used

• Foundation Half Double Crochet (Fhdc): A specialized foundation technique that simultaneously creates a foundation chain and a row of half double crochet stitches in a single step. This eliminates the need for a separate starting chain and produces a more flexible, even edge — particularly useful for infinity scarves worked in the round.
• Working in the round: The scarf is constructed as a continuous tube or loop, giving it the characteristic infinity shape without a visible seam.
• Two-color construction: The scarf uses two contrasting yarn colors to achieve the festive Christmas cactus aesthetic.

Stitches Used

• Foundation Half Double Crochet (Fhdc) – a combined foundation and stitch technique
• Half Double Crochet (hdc) – the primary stitch throughout the body of the scarf
• Chain (ch)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)

Gauge

In pattern: 12 hdc and 9 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm). Achieving correct gauge ensures the scarf reaches the intended circumference and width.

Materials

• Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds per skein), an aran weight yarn
• Contrast A: Dark Sage (9707) – 1 skein
• Contrast B: Autumn Red (9730) – 1 skein
• Hook: US K-10 (6.5 mm) standard crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Yarn needle

His Fringed Christmas Cactus Scarf

What Is Being Made

The His Fringed Scarf is a traditional straight scarf measuring 6½ inches (16.5 cm) wide and 56 inches (142 cm) long, finished with decorative fringe along the ends. The fringe detail adds a classic, masculine touch and echoes the spiky silhouette of the Christmas cactus. This scarf is the more adventurous of the two, combining Tunisian crochet and standard crochet techniques in the same project.

Techniques Used

• Tunisian Crochet (Afghan Crochet): A distinctive crochet method worked with a long Tunisian or Afghan hook. Unlike standard crochet, Tunisian crochet involves a forward pass — where loops are picked up and remain on the hook — and a return pass, where loops are worked off. This creates a dense, fabric-like textile with a unique woven appearance.
• Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch (ExTss): A variation of the basic