Crochet Pattern: Drapey Skull Halloween Decor

Happy Spooktober!

Every year I spend more than I plan to on Halloween decor, so this year, I’m trying to top up my stash with some handmade pieces. Originally, I intended for this to be a table runner, then I realized I have a cat and that won’t work. So, instead, I draped it over an opening in my wall that has a pot-light up top. That way, I get the nice backlighting too.

This pattern is based on a crochet skull scarf pattern available for free on Ravelry, but I did make a few changes. You can download the original pattern here. For my take on it, scroll down.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Duration: ~1 hour per skull

Knowledge Required (US terms):

• Chain (ch)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Stitch (st)

The tools you will need for this project are as follows (US terms):

• 1 skein of light weight yarn
• 4.5 mm hook (or appropriate size for your yarn)
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Tips:

• Asterisks (*) indicate a section of the pattern that will be repeated within the row
• Square brackets ([]) indicate a section that I have additional notes for; notes will follow in regular brackets
• You can scroll over any pictures to see a short descriptive caption for each action

Let’s get started!

To begin: Ch 48

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc,*ch2, skip 2 st, 4 dc* to end of row, ch4, turn your work

Row 2: *4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space* ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 3: 3 dc in space, *ch2, 4 dc in space* to end of row, ch4, turn your work

Row 4: 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, [ch9] (This will be the mouth), skip one space, 4 dc in next space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 5: 3 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch6, 4 sc around the chain, ch6, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch4, turn your work

Row 6: 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc, ch1, 1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] (These are worked into the 4 sc from the previous row, and will make up the teeth), ch6 , 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 7: 3 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch6, [11 sc on the skull] (2 around chain, 1 in each dc and ch of the teeth, 2 around next ch) ch6, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch4, turn your work

Row 8: 4 dc in space, ch8, [4 sc] (The 4 last sc of the 11 sc from the previous row), [ch5] (This will be the nose), skip 3 stitches, 4 sc (The first 4 sc from the 11 sc from the previous
row), [Turn!] (yes, even though you’re in the ‘middle’ of the row)

Row 9: [Ch10, 1 sc around in space, ch10 and sl st in the very first sc of this row] (These arches are the eyes), Turn again!

Row 10: [20sc] (10 around each eye), sl st at bottom of eye, Ch8, 4 dc in space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 11: 3 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch6, skip 2 st, [16 sl st in the eyes] (count 8 from the middle so your stitches will be symmetrical), ch6, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch4, turn your work

Row 12: 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch 6, sk 2 sts, 12 sc on skull, ch6,sk 2 sts, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 13: 3 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch6, sk 2 sts, 8 sc on skull, ch6, sk 2 sts, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch4, turn your work

Row 14: 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch4, sk 1 st, 6 sc on skull, ch4, sk 1 st, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 15: 3 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, [ch6] (this chain goes over the head of the skull, which is now complete), 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch2, 4 dc in space, ch 4, turn your work

Row 16: 4 dc in space, *ch2, 4 dc in space* to last space, ch2, dc, ch2, turn your work

Row 17: 3 dc in space, *ch2, 4 dc in space* to last space, ch4, turn your work

Row 17 doubles as Row 1 of your next skull. From here on out,

Repeat pattern from Row 2 on, until you reach your desired length.

 

All done!

You can use this pattern as a scarf, table runner, window or wall decor, or anything else you can dream up. Be creative!