The cowl pattern that I promised...it's super simple, great for a beginner but can keep an advanced crocheter interested. I made up this cowl and pattern for a class I will be teaching at Never Enough Yarn in Winchester VA! You can grab the pattern here or stop in the store and purchase 2 skeins of Baby Alpaca and get the pattern there too.
Please, please, please let me know if you run into any errors or questions about the pattern. This is the first that I have actually written up. :D p.s. I'll be holding a run through class with the owner Pam and knitting instructor Jennie this weekend...help me get used to teaching the craft before officially having the class.
Convertible Cowl
© Justess Designs
Use any bulky yarn or 2 strands of medium weight yarn to make this simple cowl. This project is great for beginners and easy to customize. Use 1 skein for a shorter cowl, make it a solid color or striped, use your imagination!
Overview
You will be crocheting in the round. You will join but not turn. Mark the beginning of each row with a row marker.
Materials
Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande (110 yds)
220 yds, 2 skeins in your choice of color
10mm (N) Hook
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Gauge
If working with a different yarn than recommended, make sure that your beginning chain will fit over your head leaving plenty of extra enough room. Remember that you want your cowl to be loose enough to pull up as a hood and still give plenty of coverage around your neck.
Instructions
Ch 55 and join with a sl st into back of chain, being careful not to twist your chain.
Row 1: Ch 1, (working in back of chain) Sc in same Ch as joining. Mark stitch. Sc in each chain around and join to marked stitch.
Row 2: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Sc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, (counts as first Hdc), skip st and Hdc in each around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 1. (55 Hdc)
Row 4: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Hdc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)
Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 4
Row 7: Repeat Row 3
Row 8: Repeat Row 4
Row 9: Ch 1, Sc in each Dc around. Join with sl st to Ch 1.
Rows 10-17 Repeat Rows 2-9
Rows 18-23 Repeats Rows 2-7
Fasten off.
Happy crafting! ♥
111 comments:
Thanks for this pattern ! It is just what I was looking fot ! :-)
I want to wear, not make! Love it!
My parents were in England and found 2 balls of balky yarn in a thrift story that is a beautiful sea foam color. I didn't know what to do with it and then I saw this pattern and now I am in love! Can't wait to get started but have to do a couple other projects first!
Thanks, Melissa
Awesome! I would love to see your cowl when you are finished. =)
Whoa, this is gorgeous! I'm going to start on this as soon as I finish my blanket. Thanks so much! I'll be linking as well.
I have been wanting a cowl for the longest time (weird I know)
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern. It seems simple enough for even my barely beginner crochet skills.
Could you forsee any problems if we use a chainless foundation stitch instead of the chain then sc?
I'm looking for a "travel project" and I might just have found it!
It's very cute, thanks!
Helen, I am not sure because I have never used the chainless foundation stitch. But as long as you end up with around the same amount of sc around it should work out just fine...just join to the beginning sc when you are finished with that row. Love to see your finished cowl! =)
I am sure your class was a smashing success. I love this and you are very generous to share it here. I would love to make and wear this but in Phoenix, even in the winter, it would be stylish, but probably a little too warm. Alas!
Hi Stephanie,
I am one of the Editors for the crafting and DIY website FaveCrafts.com and our blog FaveCraftsBlog.com. We offer hundreds of free craft projects, tutorials, home décor ideas and more in every area of crafting.
I came across your blog and I really think your convertible cowl pattern would look great on our site. I would like to invite you to contribute this craft project. All the details of your authorship are preserved and you can include a link back to your blog or Etsy shop as a traffic bonus for you. We love to feature fresh voices on our website constantly and nurture such a vibrant, creative community of crafters.
In addition to publishing Guest Features at our website (with over 1 million page views every day) and blog, we promote these items in our bi-weekly newsletter, which currently has over 250,000 email subscribers.
If you are not interested in contributing to our website or blog, we hope you will consider a reciprocal link with FaveCrafts.com. We wish to develop a quality network of crafters and crafting writers for all our readers.
Thank you for your consideration,
Christine
Editor
www.FaveCrafts.com
www.FaveCraftsBlog.com
this is beautiful, and a perfect use for a yarn that was originally miscast as a scarf. I'll post a link to the finished pic when it's done!
I love this pattern and have all my materials here in front of me but am having trouble starting. When you join your initial chain and then chain 1 do you continue working in the back of the chain or do you somehow switch to the front? That almost seems like a stupid question I know but I can't seem to get this started! Any help is greatly appreciated!
my cousin is making this for me! she actually bought the same type of yarn...on accident, but a different color. it will be green! can't wait! i REALLY want to take a crocheting class, but have yet to find one in my area. i tried to learn from her...but she lives in a different town and i pretty much need a teacher to sit there with me until i have it perfectly.
thanks for the pattern!!!
-Sierra
http://creativekdesigns.blogspot.com
this is awesome. perfect! thank you so much for the pattern!!
I stephanie, thanks for this pattern, I love it.. and sorry for my bad english..
i'm a beginner and I'm not able to reach the right lenght
I'm using a different yarn and a 9mm hook.. I've done and undone the work 3 times :-D: too long... too short...
I would be very grateful if you can give me the gauge or tell me the measure in cm of the circumference.
thanks a lot in advantage...
@Caroline -What kind of yarn are you using? The different may be because of the thickness of the yarn. I appologize that I do not have a measurment for the example that I made.
Start with the chain 55 and join. Put that over your head and add or remove chains if neccessary. Then work the rest of the pattern.
I hope this helps!!
thanks a lot stephanie...
i'll try again :-D
LOVE this cowl pattern and am about to start on it....I bought Bernat Chunky Yarn (Bulky 5) and am wondering if this yarn is bulky enough or should I 2 strand it?
Hello & thx from a newbie :)
Meaghan
@Meaghan -What I would do is work up the first 3 rows or so and see what you think. The Alpaca yarn that I used in the pattern photo is a super chunky and pretty fluffy. I taught a class at my LYS and one of my students made the cowl with a worsted weight yarn and it turned out great! See what you think after the first couple of rows. If you decide to go with it and after you are finished you want to give it a little more fluff, try throwing it into the dryer with a damp towel on low heat for a little while. That should loosen up the fibers a little.
=) Thanks for leaving a comment...I'd love to see how it turns out!
Super cute! I'm terrible with yarn, but I think I can do this with fabric too...will you share the dimensions of the finished product??
Hey, thank you for doing this. But I'm very confused in row 1. Can you please explain this in a little more detail (i.e how to mark, is there another sc on top of the first,and does each "row" get joined by the sl st)?
thank you!
Thank you for this awesome pattern. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, something I have trouble with! It's one of the first things I have made for my daughter that she wears! I am making one for her friend as well. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going to try one in finer yarn for the spring.
Thanks for the pattern! I just finished my cowl. I used Wool-Ease Thick and Quick super bulky (so I needed fewer stitches and rows) and it was a perfect one-night project. I made it as a gift, and I just tried it on and now I plan to make one for myself!
@Lindsey -I'll to to answer as best I can here...
..how to mark -You would use a stitch marker or paper clip or something that you can hook onto the stitch so that you know that is the first stitch of your row (The stitch you will join to at the end of the same row).
..is there another sc on top of the first -Row 1 you will Ch 1, then you will SC in the same CH that you joined your Ch55 at. You are not skipping any stitches here. You will skip that stitch for all other rows except for Row 9.
..does each "row" get joined by the sl st)? -Yes, each row will get joined with a sl st. So you will finish the 55th stitch and then slip stitch it to the marked stitch (1st stitch of that same row).
Let me know if you have any other questions. =)
Thank you so much for the tute for this lovely ?moblii (is that how one spells it??! I prolly goofed that up!) I have wanted to make one of these for 3 years now... have a pic of one posted on my filing cabinet! Now that we have cold weather in South Texas, I want warm clothes & accessories!
Thanks for sharing!
Mimi!
Love the pattern but need more information regarding gauge. I used exact yarn and hook but needed and additonal skein for last 5 rows. I am experienced and did not work loose stitches. I would like finished measurement for cowl as shown in pictures. Thank you!
Time and time again I have searched online for a simple yet sharp looking cowl to crochet, but to no avail--until I found this one. Thank you for sharing this pattern with us. I look forward to finally crocheting something just for me! Victoria
Thanks for this lovely patterm, I blogged my creation here:
http://pardalote.blogspot.com/2010/03/crochet.html
Hey, I love the pattern but I'm using a much thinner wool than the Alpaca wool. So, I need to know the finished length of the pattern so that I know how many rows to complete.
Unfortunately I do not have the measurements. Just make it until you can slip it over your head like a hood with enough left to cover your neck. Try it on as you go and add more rows as needed. =)
I actually had to do a "double-click"!!! This cowl is GORGEOUS!!! I think aftr I try it out, ill wear it with a white. Shirt, just like in the pic. Thanks for the pattern =D
I love this pattern but I don't quite understand the ch at the beginning of the rows... Doesn't that leave a hole? I tried to look for a tutorial about this and I found nothing.
Nope, no holes. It's the same as if you were working something straight across and then turning to move to the next row, like a blanket for example. Depending on the stitch you are making you need to get up the height, sometimes that means ch1 or ch2 or even ch3. Try it, you'll see what I mean. Let me know if you have any other questions!
this is awesome. i've been wanting a cowl but definitely don't knit. would you want to trade for one of these? email me at kimdavis09 ((at)) gmail dot com
ps i totally thought i was a follower before today. oopsies.
When we skip a stitch at the beginning won't that make it have holes and get smaller as we go? cuz thats what mine is doing :/
crochet-n-candy :You shouldn't have any troubles with the cowl getting smaller. Make sure that you are marking the first stitch of each row and if it helps, count each stitch as you make it to make sure that you are coming up with 55.
When crocheting DC (or Hdc) you always skip the first stitch of the previous row because when you chain 2 (or 1) that is considered the first DC (or Hdc).
If you have any pattern books laying around check them out on making the basic stitches. It will explain better than I and should have an illustration. =)
I love, love, love this! I have started a blog to keep track of crochet patterns I find on the web. There are so many creative bloggers out there! I hope you don't mind I linked to one of your photos with a short description and a link back to your site. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous pattern!
Your welcome Stephanie!Thanks for stopping by to have a look. It has been fun discovering these creative blogs. I am continually inspired by what I see. Thank you for sharing so many fun ideas!
Hi Stephanie-
Thank you for sharing your pattern! Can you provide any tips on keeping it straight...I've had to undo do it a couple of times because no matter what I do it keeps twisting up on me... I'm a beginner crocheter and could use some assistance.
Thanks!
Anonymous: If you mean the entire piece is twisting, like a mobius, that problem can only be resolved when you connect the chain. It's important to make sure that when you join one end of the chain to the other that it is not twisted, ie. all of the "butts" are on the top and the Vs are on the bottom.
If you keep running into this problem you can fix it on the last 2 or so SC in the first row. Just hold out the piece in front of you, make sure that during your last 2 stitches that you are making any necessary twists in order for all of the "butts" to be on the top and the Vs to be on the bottom.
I really hope this helps!! If that is not what you mean by the twist please let me know! =)
I Love it working on one now and I love it I added you to my blog thank you for a great pattern...http://chelacreates.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing my pattern on your blog Chela!! <3
I just whipped this up today and I am in love! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this pattern Stephanie! It makes a fabulous cowl.
This pattern is AMAZING!
I tried to make one following the exact directions, yet somehow, my cowl isn't loose enough to pull over my head! It's more of a really long neck warmer!
Do you have any idea what I could be doing wrong, or how to fix this?!
Thanks so much!!
<3
Hi Kristen! If it's not loose enough it may because the yarn is not a "bulky" or the hook is not the right size. Try switching up on one of those and if you don't want to switch then just add more to the foundation chain until you can easily slip that over your head.
Let me know if I can help more. =)
Love the cowl! Did you crochet in the back of the stitch throughout or into the spaces? Thanks
Maureen
Maureen you only crochet into the butt of the stitch for the foundation chain because it gives you a more finished edge. Then you have the V on top to crochet into from there forward. Lemme know if that didn't make sense. ;)
I aDore this... Visiting from Pammy Sue to Rav to here at your blog. New Follower. Off to see what else you have been up to.
I am hosting a stitch along on my blog and I am going to use this pattern! Thanks so much for sharing! Check it out at www.thedaintydaisyblog.blogspot.com.
I have made a couple of these now. I LOVE the way they turn out. So quick and cute.
http://dannyandginapalmer.blogspot.com/2010/02/simple-cowl.html
I found this pattern through a search at crochetpatterncentral.com. Imagine my surprise when I clicked over to find that you created it for a shop in my town!
Thank you for the pattern; I'm definitely a beginner, but wanted a pattern for something like this, to work on while I'm on bed rest.
Small world Rachele! I love Pam and Sam and Doogie. =) They are the nicest people. It has been way too long since I've visited. Let me know if you have any questions about the pattern! =)
i might need to make me one of these! I have some ruby red yarn sitting around waiting for use! thanks for the inspiration!
Hi! I just learned to crochet and am having difficulty keeping the seam straight but can't figure out where I am going wrong.
When I get to the end of the row, should I still be stitching into the very last chain (the same one that the chain for the start of the row is coming out of)? If I don't do this, I find that I end up with 54 stitches instead of 55, but it looks crowded.
A couple of the times I tried I found the seam also looked V-shaped at the bottom as I progressed.
Any help would be great!
Nadine, since you are crocheting in the round without turning, your seam will almost form a short spiral on the cowl. You won't be able to tell once you are finished with it. It blends in well.
As for your stitch count...I'm not sure what's going on with that. But you should be ending with 55 stitches. If you end at 54 and one stitch short the next will be the same and you will count 53 and so on. Try to make sure to count your stitches every couple of rows so that you keep on track.
Welcome to the world of crochet. =) It's fun! I hope that helped!
I love this pattern! I made a cowl for my mom as a last minute Christmas gift. Now I'm starting on one for myself!
Hey Stephanie,
When you crochet the DC are you skipping a stitch all the way around or just after the 2 SC?
Just getting confused and wanted to clarify.
Thanks!
Jen
Nakia, I'd love to see your finished cowls. =)
Jen, only skip a stitch on the rows it specifies. You won't need to when doing a SC row because it's not necessary. Just on the others with DC and HDCs. =)
Hi! I posted a link to your pattern on my blog, The Crafting Compendium, on my post about cowls. If you would like me to remove any reference and link to this pattern, please let me know.
Thank you so much! I adore your cowl pattern. I've just made one for myself from gorgeous NZ pure wool. I also made one for a Christmas gift - so incredibly quick to make. My three year old has asked for one so I'll make a wee version for her - too cute. Leah
This may seem like a silly question as everyone else seems to get it but, the first row, do you work in the back of the chain the whole round or only in the first stitch? Thanks
^^^ work in the back of the chain the entire first row. That way you have more of a finished edge than if you worked in under the V. =)
as i'm doing this, i am about to start the fourth row...but, i was just wondering: should the row markers all be in one straight line? because i am doing this, i am finding that all the rows end in the same place (so the row markers are lined up in one straight, vertical line), is this correct? thank you! and i REALLY love the timing of this post! :D
Hi Katherine, yes you are marking the end of the row so the row markers will travel upward as you go. I used only 1 row marker and moved it at the end of each row.
I can not wait to make some of these! I already know that I am going to be making one for my sister and myself! Thanks so much for the pattern!
This looks like something I might be able to make, given that I just learned to crochet. I have been tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to do a granny square on my own. I keep making these little donuts that look promising....but....nahhhhh.
Is there a way to avoid working in the back of the chain and do a different method for Row 1? Because I'm working with Lion Brand Homespun yarn, and it's a pain to closely look at your stitches with this yarn when it's easier to go around when making the cowl.
Diane you could just work into the chain as normal (under the V on top). I just think working into the back of the chain gives it a nicer, more finished looking edge. =)
Ahhhhhh, so glad to be here! - I'd started a cowl while on holiday, but quite frankly, it was utter rubbish. So I'm sooooo pleased to find a much better pattern.
I know it's the summer, but I'm ready to start something for the winter, soon.
X
So excited to finish this cowl in time for the last half of a freezing Australian winter! Man the difference between American and British crochet terms is so confusing... I'm just going to go for it and hope that the crochet forgives me (I'm sure it will).
Rose let me know if you run into any trouble. But you are right, crochet is so forgiving and so is this pattern, yay!! =) You're just basically building a tube so as long as you end up with the same amount of stitches each round you will be fine. Any even if you didn't here and there...you won't be able to tell once it's on anyways. =)
Hello, have started your cowl pattern and got to row 3. What is Hdc? I'd it treble crochet? I've just started crocheting and am still learning all the abbreviations.
Thanks
Claire
Claire - HDC stands for half double crochet. It's really simple...yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through leaving 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. I'm sure there are many videos out there for easy, better instructions. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions! =)
I really want to make this cowl and I love the color you used, can you tell me what color it is?
I am about halfway through and so far I LOVE IT!! Thanks for the great pattern.
Hi there, I'm trying to make this pattern, and you say to use a 10mm (N) hook. I'm confused because a 10mm hook is size P. So which is it, size N or size P? I have the same yarn you used so I'm trying to follow it exactly to get the same effect.
Thanks!
Jumar3, any 10mm hook will do just fine. It's strange but for some reason one brand of hook may be a different letter than the other. I used Susan Bates which is N and Lion Brand is P. Maybe it's uk versus us. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Thank you so much for this pattern! I am having some trouble, I think. My cowl is pointed where the two ends meet with the slip stitch. I think it's because you skip one stitch each round, so instead of mine being round, one end is pointed out. Is that how it's supposed to look?
Sara you should not have a point where you are skipping a stitch. Not sure why it's happening. Remember to only skip a stitch when you are starting the row with a DC or a HDC.
Any idea what the dimensions should be? I have read 29 inch circumference and 11-26 inch width. Any recommendations?
Thanks for the pattern, I whipped up two of them. Here's the one I made for myself (http://sara-sayswhat.blogspot.com/2011/10/sara-says-crochetober.html). I learned the hdc stitch just for this, teehee.
I'm a first timer and i fell in LOVE with this cowel! i'm on row 6 and i'm concerned that it's too tight. Like it won't be slouchy enough. Is this normal or can I do something to change this?
I love this pattern! It was quick and easy, and you can make it as chunky or light as you want it, without just making a tube of double/single stitches! Just finished one for myself, but will be making more for christmas! Thank you!
Just taught myself how to crochet from a book on Thursday and I've made 2 headbands and this scarf! Love it!! Thanks for the pattern!! Can't wait to make more as Christmas presents!!
Hi Stephanie,
I've made this several times (and unraveled a dozen or so)...each time different because I'm not sure if I'm doing it properly. For the 3rd row, it says to "skip st and Hdc in _?_ each around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 1. (55 Hdc)" Am I supposed to be HDC ing in the spaces between the DCs? If not, should I HDC in the back loops only of the DC?
Hope to hear from you soon and thank you for posting the pattern!
Anonymous: Row 3 means that you chain 1 and skip the first stitch. (that first chain counted as the first hdc). Then you hdc in each around. So you would hdc in each dc around (under the V of the top of the DC). I hope this helps!
Stephanie! Thank you for sharing this pattern. I taught myself to crochet recently via some awesome web tutorials, but would love for one bit of clarification, since this is the 3rd time I've unraveled 4 rows because they didn't look right!
After sc'ing the first row in back to make the finished edge, should I be crocheting thru the whole top of stitch on all following rows, or continuing to just go thru the back of stitch?
Thanks for your help!
Kelcey
Kelcey, for the rest of the cowl you will crochet in the top of the stitch (under the V). :)
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for this lovely pattern. I have finished the cowl and this was my first ever finished project! However, I had some difficulties with the term "crocheting in the round. you will join but not turn"
Does that mean that in the end product this is already circular? What happened in mine is that it was like a mini scarf and i had to sew the ends together. Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions! I just self taught myself with crocheting... Is there a tutorial with crocheting in the round?
Thank you so much for this awesome pattern. I have made one, and am working on two more for Christmas. My girls will love them.
Thanks again for sharing your creativity.
J.O.
Just like the other ladies, I stumbled across your pattern & LOVE it! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if someone would do a How-to, slow, step by step, youtube video on it!! I am a major newbie & need visual HELP! :o)
I LOVE this! Im making all my friends and family one for christmas. Do you mind if I repost this on my blog? With credit to you of course!
Everytime I start this cowl I end up about halfway through and my starting chain is a much smaller circle than the current chain, giving it kind of a flare effect instead of a tube. Help! I have recounted and there seem to be the same number of chains, I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thanks!!
Emily
Thank you Cherry Cola, and yes, of course you can! =)
M...maybe you are starting with a really tight chain. If you getting the same count in the end as row 1 you might want to either try first loosening up when starting the first chain. If that doesn't work maybe try a larger hook to loosen up the chain. If you are using the same yarn as the pattern you could always try working the pattern sideways...try chaining 24 and then work each row according to pattern but with only 24 count....and then join the long strip at the end with a slip stitch or by sewing together with the tail. Hope this helps!! =)
Thanks so much!! I knitted one, but I really want to make one crochetted (is there such a word? LOL).
Carmen L
wow! this is exactly what I was looking for . Unfortunately i cannot crochet but can knit well. If possible can you give the knitting pattern too. Would highly appreciate.
Thanks
Regards
Naz
Naz, I have only taken a basic class on knitting...of which I mostly do not remember. It is quite different than crochet.
If you are good at knitting you would just simply need to construct a pattern for a long tube. Make it wide enough to go around like a scarf and long enough to lift up like a hood while still covering your next.
Best of luck :)
Hi,
My daughter is the ex-pat who lives in Hammersmith. I do visit in the summer and found this group now. Wish you guys were there last summer. Missed having crocheters around, I carried my crochet projects all over the tube and Westfield.
I will visit again next summer.
Keep up the crochet.
Elsa
ver pretty i plan to try this soon question when making copy from computer why did i get every coment someone has made about this before i got the pattern???????
Hi :)I love your pattern and I have completed it twice. I havent read too many patterns. I get a little confused as to why It comes out smaller at the top. I skip the stitch the chain 2 is in. I was wondering exactly what spot to join into. maybe thats my problem. i am going into the top like I would make a stitch. Thanks
thanks, this pattern inspired one of my own, making it a double loop and only 19 rows, with a less chunky yarn. Now I am teaching my mom and sister to make one, they loved it so much.
check out my blog for a picture of my cowl.
ashleymikereina.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for this pattern! I just finished a beautiful purple one just for me. It looks great. Great idea for a pattern.
Thank you for sharing such a great pattern! Super easy and finished it in just a few hours! The baby alpaca is so soft - not scratchy at all! I will definitely be making more of these. :)
This is awesome! I used it to make my own. You can see it here: http://pamzhasablog.blogspot.com/2012/03/crochet-convertible-cowl-and-matching.html I credited you of course. Wonderful stuff, thank you so much for sharing! =D
Hello Carmen L, I noticed you said that you knitted one. Does that mean you managed to knit this cowl in particular? I am a keen knitter but I have no idea how to crochet. I really love this cowl and would love the knotting pattern for it if you have it
Thank you for your help
Kind regards
Diana
Thanks for the pattern! I'm making this with some awesome multi colored yarn and it looks awesome so far!
I am loving this pattern. But I need help! I have tried to make it three times. On the 3rd try I got as far as the HDC but every time it is all twisted. Any tips on how to avoid this? It doesn't appear to be twisted when I join the chain, but by the time I finish the first row of double crochets, it is twisted. Thanks!
I'm making this cowle for a friend :) I'm just wondering, do you remember what color was used for the first picture? When I looked up Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande, I didn't see a purple as vibrant as the photo on the blog, which is what I'm aiming for. Thanks!
Is this cowl suppose to go in a v angle on the area where you slip stitch?? Almost like a poncho? Just wondering if I did something wrong or if it is suppose to be this way??
Post a Comment