Scarves are often first projects for a beginning knitter or crocheter, and it’s easy to see why. They’re very simple, they are worked back and forth, there is no shaping, and they are easy to wear and appreciate.

But scarves take a long time and someone who is just learning usually wants to see some results, to finish something and feel that sense of accomplishment. And while doing the exact same thing over and over can feel very meditative, eventually it feels very boring. It’s a fine line.

This triangular scarf, named after the “downward dog” yoga pose, is still very simple, but the occasional increase on the first half and decrease on the second half will keep you engaged, while also teaching you something new. It’s a great project to learn on. When it is worked in a color gradient, as shown here, the hues shift almost imperceptibly. As your scarf grows, your understanding of crochet grows with it.