Free Crochet Cowl Pattern Perfect for One Skein

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The Blueberry Lemonade Cowl is the perfect project for that gorgeous hand dyed yarn. The super wash merino wool I chose also makes it cozy for spring or fall.

This crochet pattern is worked like a scarf, so you’ll have the option to add more yarn to make it longer and style like a scarf. As written the ends are seamed to create the infinity style cowl.

I used the ever versatile v-stitch in this one, paired with the slanting cluster or bead stitch. Never fear if these are new stitches to you I have tutorials for both of them-listed in the “Stitches” section.

This cowl pattern is worked width wise so you’ll increase the length as you go, which means it’s easy to adjust the length. You may also choose to leave yours as a scarf, and not sew the ends together to form the cowl. I like options! I’ve included the stitch multiple if you would like to adjust the width of your cowl.

The Inspiration

I created this cozy cowl for my son’s occupational therapist. She has invested so much in him, it was the least I could do.

She came across me one day at school waiting for the kids to get out. I was knitting, and she said how great that was to see. She shared that back East people were always knitting in meetings and gatherings, but she hadn’t found that much here in California. Which I thought was too bad!

I still crochet everywhere, do you? I always have a project in my purse (which is often confused by my family with my yarn bag, hahaha). It makes me a better mom, I more likely to stop for an impromptu park session if I have yarn to keep my hands busy while I watch the kids.

Your yarn usage may vary if you make changes to the yarn and hook, so make sure you have plenty.

As this cowl pattern isn’t super open, it would also work well in wool for colder weather, when that comes back around. Oh wait, it’s already here-it was 90 for two days and now we’re back to 60s. Lucky for me I have plenty of scarves and cowls.

Materials

• #4 medium worsted weight yarn, pictured in BadSheep Worsted (218 yd fine superwash merino wool per 100 g hank); in shade Siren [1].
• 4.5mm US Size 7,* or size needed to meet gauge.
• yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape

Notes

1. Please read through all notes and pattern before you begin.
2. Please check gauge first.
3. Ch 3 counts as a st, I recommend a ch 3 alternative like this one.

Gauge

8 sts x 4 rows (after blocking) to 2” (5 cm) measured in dc.

Please swatch carefully, as incorrect gauge will cause the pattern to come out the wrong size.

Finished Dimensions

7” tall x 16” long (18 cm x 40.5 cm) after seaming + when laid flat.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Construction

This cowl is worked flat and seamed. If you would like to create a scarf you need only to add more yarn and work the repeat longer, to about 60” or desired length.

Adjustments

If you would like to adjust the width of your cowl the stitch multiple is 2, plus 3 for the foundation chain.

To make it shorter or longer adjust the number of repeat rows.

Stitches

US Terms

bd st – bead stitch

ch(s) – chain(s)

ch sp – chain space

dc – double crochet

rep – repeat

RS – right side

sc – single crochet

sk – skip the indicated stitch

sl st – slip stitch

st(s) – stitch(es)

v-st – v-stitch

Need to know how to crochet bead stitch? Check out this detailed, step by step tutorial of the bead stitch in this post.

Special Stitches

bead stitch: *yarn over, insert your hook around the post of the last dc from right to left, yo and pull up a loop; (3 loops on your hook), rep from * 2 more times, ending with 7 loops on your hook, yo and pull through 6 loops, yo and pull through the last 2 loops on your hook. 

The bead stitch will count as 2 stitches, as you are crocheting one stitch over another (the bd st goes around the dc). From the top of the row you can easily see the stitches. However, I found that I would often skip either the first or last stitch of the row when working the sc rows into the slcl rows. Once I made a point to look for those (and checked my stitch count before moving on) I stopped skipping them!

Pattern Instructions

Row 1. Ch 33, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across, turn. [32 sts]

Row 2. Ch 3, *sk next sc, dc in next, bd st; rep from * across, until 2 sts left, sk next st, dc in last st, turn. [32 sts]

Row 3. Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st across, turn. [32 sts]

Row 4. Ch 3, sk next st, v-st in next st, *sk next 2 sts, v-st in next st; rep from * until last 2 sts, sk next st and dc in last st, turn. [32 sts = 10 v-sts + 2dc]

Row 5. Ch 3, sk first dc, v-st in next ch sp, *sk next 2 dcs, v-st in ch sp; rep * until last 2 sts, sk next st and dc in last st, turn. [32 sts]

Row 6. Rep row 5.

Row 7. Ch 1, sc in same st, and in each st across, turn. [32 sts]

Rep rows 2 – 7 until your cowl is 32” long, or to desired length is reached. I ended after a v-st row so that I sewed a v-st row to a sc crochet row, making the pattern a loop.

Finishing

Cut yarn and pull up a long loop for seaming. 

Fold in half, matching short ends together.

Thread yarn needle with long tail.

Sew ends together using mattress stitch. 

Cut yarn & weave in ends. 

Original pictured in:

6oz/306yds of medium #4 worsted weight cotton yarn, I used two balls of Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton in Paris in June.

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