cowl

Effortless Cowl

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No, this is not my PIP. I am posting this cowl pattern by request. This is a wonderful cowl for beginners…or anyone who loves plushy and soft crochet projects:)

I made this cowl a year ago and put it in my Etsy shop. Of course I kept the one in the photo and wore it a couple of times last winter. Sometimes I get comments on Etsy asking how to make it. I have never written a pattern down for this cowl because it is too simple to write down. It really can’t be called a real pattern… i don’t know…it just seen too basic to call a pattern.

I figured there were patterns out there already for something like this, so I never even considered writing it down. Well, someone messaged me again asking how to make it so I decided to go ahead and post it here.

This cowl is so simple. It is the most basic cowl you can make. These instructions are great for anyone…especially beginners. It is a mindless creation…meaning it takes literally no brainpower. I am a tv junkie. I love to sit and veg out in front of the tv at night, after the little one goes to bed. Of course, I am always crocheting (or trying to knit) while watching tv. So if you’re like me…you will love this. You can mindlessly make this in a matter of minutes or an hour or so.
Like I said before…it is so basic and simple…so here you go
Note: I try to include the most accessible yarns in my patterns. I love being able to buy yarn at major stores that we all shop at. Of course, I love my local yarn shop and shop there more than anywhere else, but for many people, the major chain store is the most accessible.
Materials
3 skeins of super bulky yarn I used 6 weight like Lion Brand Hometown or the Thick and Quick.
Size M crochet hook
yarn needle
Gauge
Not that important with this type of project

Note: Crochet loosely. I’m getting messages and comments about the size. If you crochet tightly, force yourself to loosen up with the tension so the cowl will drape and fit nicely

Pattern
I like my method of working the starting chain better…Ch 87 and begin working into the ch before joining.

Rnd 1: Working into the back ridges of the chain, place hdc in 3rd chain from hook, hdc in each ch till the end. Join with a sl st to the top of first st.

You will take the starting tail and join to the other side. This method will prevent worrying about twisting the starting chain.

If you choose to go the traditional route…

Ch 87, join with sl st to first ch (careful not to twist the chain)

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first st). Hdc in the back ridge of each ch, join with sl st to top of beginning st.
Rnd 2-14: Ch 2, Hdc in each st around. Join with sl st in the first st. Finish off.
I made mine as a continuous round. I did not join each round. This will give you a seamless cowl…but it will be off (not perfectly lined up) at the beginning and ending. (doesn’t really show)
If you get bored you can work in the back loops for each st or you can totally change the look of the hdc by working in the ridge on the back of the hdc. This st looks really amazing. I just wish I had a photo of the result of this stitch.
The cowl in the photo below is the same cowl, but I used worsted weight yarn…Patons wool, I believe. The only difference is the number of chains and sts per row and I added a few more rows. I used an I (5.5mm) hook. I gave this cowl away as a gift, so I’m not sure about the number of chains.
So you can do a lot with this basic pattern. You can use bulky yarn for a ultra thick, warm cowl or worsted yarn for a lighter one.
See how easy this is. I can hardly call this a pattern.
Enjoy…my PIP is coming, it really is.

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0 Replies to “Effortless Cowl”

  1. I love these cowls – thank you for sharing! I am wondering what size hook you used for the cowl made from worsted weight – did you also use an M hook for this? Thanks again!

    Reply

  3. Thank you Liz for another wonderful cowl pattern! I made your Soft Stitch Cowl and it turned out beautifully. I can't wait to make this one. I love your patterns–thanks so much for sharing them. 🙂

    Reply

  5. Thanks so much for the nice comments. Andrea I used an I hook. I did not make it too tight, I wanted it drapey. If you use a smaller hook the cowl might come out too tight and that will not allow for a nice drape. Happykatt you're welcome and I hope you like your cowl. Anne I am so glad you are happy with the Soft Stitch cowl. I am working on one of those now. Veronica, I hope the teens like them. You never can tell about teenagers. Some have to see a garment on someone at school first before they will wear it. You're all so welcome.

    Reply

  6. Thank you so much, Liz, yes, I want the cowl to have the nice drape that yours has, and I tend to crochet a bit on the tight side. I will try an I hook, or maybe a J. Thanks again – I love your blog, so happy to have found it.

    Reply

  8. Hey Liz! Thanks for sharing this great tutorial! I'm working on one right now, I'm on the 8th row at the moment, and added a few more chains (110 chains). As happykatt mentioned, even though it is uber simple, SOMEONE needs to write it down for dummies like myself. 😛
    And the best part is, it's super quick, and doesn't need that much yarn! That's probably my primary concern, that I'll have to go out and use billions of kroners (the currency here i denmark) on yarn, so that is why this is so much more awesome. 🙂
    I hope it's okay if I share your tutorial on my blog once my cowl is complete. 🙂

    http://www.thecreativemuslimah.blogspot.com

    Reply

  9. You're welcome and thanks so much. I'm certain you are no dummy. Of course it is ok if you share the tutorial. That's what it is all about:)
    Thanks again,
    Liz

    Reply

  10. Hello. Does it just wrap around your head 2 times? Also, how do twist it to get it to look like the picture. Is the twist in the back or the front? It falls so nicely in the picture.

    Reply

  11. Hi,

    I just put it around my neck and then take the front which is hanging in front and twist it up and around my neck again. The twist or wrap will be in the front. When you make it you will join the rounds and not work back and forth in rows. Hope this helps.

    Reply

  12. Hi there,
    I am an avid, and experienced crocheter, but I have no idea what the ridge is… I know the front loop, back loop, front post, back post. I would love to make this as it looks so sumptuous (sp) please could you clarify for me.

    Thank you Liz

    Reply

  13. Hello Carol,

    The back ridge is that little bump on the back of the chain. Just take the chain and turn it toward you looking at the back and you will see the little ridge or bump. Hope this helps

    Thanks,
    Liz

    Reply

  14. in behind the back loop? but not the back post? do you have a picture of a back ridge?

    Sorry, I'm just not getting what that is.

    Thanks for your help Liz

    Reply

  15. I'll try to explain again…I guess it is behind the back look. As you are chaining look at it and take it and turn it toward you and you'll see that little bump. Don't worry if you don't understand. You do not have to work in the back ridge. If you want you can use the back loop. The only reason I work the back ridge is because it gives the bottom a more finished look. Sorry if I'm still not being clear
    Liz
    Liz

    Reply

  18. Hello Liz,
    This is a great pattern. I made one with crocheting in the back loops of the HDC. It looks GREAT! But I was going to make another one and wondered what you mean above when it says "…change the look of the hdc by working in the ridge on the back of the hdc." Where is the ridge on a HDC?
    Thank you!
    Andrea

    Reply

  19. Hello Andrea,

    I'm glad you like your cowl. If you want to work in the back of the hdc you will need to work a round of hdc. Then when you get ready to start the next round you will take the round you just did and look to the back of the stitch. You will insert the hook under the little line that you see. You will not work under the regular loops on the top, instead just look toward the back for that ridge or line below the top loops. I may not be clear…just look at the hdc stitches very closely and you may be able to see it.
    Hope this helps…if not I'll try to find a pic or take one.
    Liz

    Reply

  28. Hi , Thanks for sharing such a wonderful design. I am planing to make a cowl but with size 4 yarn. I have Vanna's choice lion brand. Could you tell me if I should use 2 skeins together or just 1 skein at a time. I want it to have 2 rounds around my neck.

    Reply

  34. Love the look of this! Can't wait to try it out! I have a question and yes, there are stupid questions!! Is this worked in the round or could it be worked flat and them sewn together using the thread and a tapestry? I've been crocheting for more than 25 years and I can't understand why this is not getting through my thick skull!!!

    Reply

  35. Love the look of this! Can't wait to try it out! I have a question and yes, there are stupid questions!! Is this worked in the round or could it be worked flat and them sewn together using the thread and a tapestry? I've been crocheting for more than 25 years and I can't understand why this is not getting through my thick skull!!!

    Reply

  36. Thanks for the pattern 🙂 I am just wondering though, I did the first pattern in white with the thick and quick yarn and an M hook and when I wrap it twice around my neck it practically chokes me 🙁 Are you crocheting really loosely? I know I can just increase the 87 foundation chain but just wondering how you are making it look all nice and drapey? Thanks!

    Reply

  37. This happened to me too…and I used an "N". I think I'm going to take it back out and redo adding to the foundation chain. I actually made one last year using this same pattern (but I didn't take notes on what I did different.) I think I must have used an "O" hook because I counted 87 on the foundation chain, but it is a lot looser. This time, I'll be sure to take notes. The one I made last year was a huge hit with my teenage daughter.

    Reply

  38. This happened to me too…and I used an "N". I think I'm going to take it back out and redo adding to the foundation chain. I actually made one last year using this same pattern (but I didn't take notes on what I did different.) I think I must have used an "O" hook because I counted 87 on the foundation chain, but it is a lot looser. This time, I'll be sure to take notes. The one I made last year was a huge hit with my teenage daughter.

    Reply

  39. Yes I crocheted this one rather loosely. (But not terribly loose). The idea is to have a nice drape. I remember the very first scarf I made was so tight I could hardly get the hook in each stitch…it literally stood up on its side. I was so frustrated I threw the hook and scarf in the closet and gave up for about 3 months. When someone told me to force myself to loosen up, my crocheting took off. I think my tension is in between loose and tight.

    Reply

  40. Yes I crocheted this one rather loosely. (But not terribly loose). The idea is to have a nice drape. I remember the very first scarf I made was so tight I could hardly get the hook in each stitch…it literally stood up on its side. I was so frustrated I threw the hook and scarf in the closet and gave up for about 3 months. When someone told me to force myself to loosen up, my crocheting took off. I think my tension is in between loose and tight.

    Reply

  41. What a beautiful cowl project! I would like to make this cowl as my first cowl project. It is lovely!
    But since I have never made a cowl before, I am a bit confused by the directions after the 1st Round where it says, "You will take the starting tail and join to the other side. This method will prevent worrying about twisting the starting chain."

    Is this "starting tail" the same thing as the loose end to be sewn in later after finishing the last round?
    Or if not, where do I join it to the other side? Do you mean right or wrong sides?

    I am trying to picture the pattern coming together in reading the directions through ahead of time and this is confusing me a little.

    Thanks. BTW, this is my first visit to your blog and it is terrific! I will be back! 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much.
    _____
    Lee Ann
    Crochet…Gotta Love It! Blog
    Crochet…Gotta Love It! YouTube Channel
    #crochetgottaloveit
    #crochet

    Reply

  42. What a beautiful cowl project! I would like to make this cowl as my first cowl project. It is lovely!
    But since I have never made a cowl before, I am a bit confused by the directions after the 1st Round where it says, "You will take the starting tail and join to the other side. This method will prevent worrying about twisting the starting chain."

    Is this "starting tail" the same thing as the loose end to be sewn in later after finishing the last round?
    Or if not, where do I join it to the other side? Do you mean right or wrong sides?

    I am trying to picture the pattern coming together in reading the directions through ahead of time and this is confusing me a little.

    Thanks. BTW, this is my first visit to your blog and it is terrific! I will be back! 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much.
    _____
    Lee Ann
    Crochet…Gotta Love It! Blog
    Crochet…Gotta Love It! YouTube Channel
    #crochetgottaloveit
    #crochet

    Reply

  43. I love this cowl! Thank you so much for the pattern. I would like to make this shorter. Just one time around the neck Should I use an odd number of stitches? Thank you
    Stephanie V

    Reply

  44. I love this cowl! Thank you so much for the pattern. I would like to make this shorter. Just one time around the neck Should I use an odd number of stitches? Thank you
    Stephanie V

    Reply

  47. Hi Liz! This pattern is my first cowl project! I work in the back loop only because seems a nice texture and I publish the translation in my blog.. I'm glad if you want to take a look! thaks for sharing ! ciao :::Silvia

    Reply

  56. I am going to try and answer some of these questions even though they are old, in case someone else needs to know.
    In answer to LeAnn's question, "the "starting tail" I believe she is referring to is that piece of yarn that hangs down when you first start your work. Normally, you would just work in under the stitches as you go, but here you would leave it long. That way you can thread it onto a darning needle and close the beginning row after the whole scarf is done.

    Stephanie, if you want it to go around your neck once instead of twice, you would have to shorten the number of beginning stitches-maybe by half and then add some for ease. Make your chain and measure it around your neck before making your first stitch.

    FYI – she mentions working in the back ridge of the hdc for a variation. If you are not sure what this means, it is the loop right behind the back loop. You normally work into the top 2 loops, but if you turn the last row of hdc's toward you, you can see another horizontal loop right behind the back loop, that is the one to work in.

    Eberly – only the beginning row is worked into the "back ridge" of the chain. The back ridge for a chain is what you see when you flip the chain row over, there is a ridge/bump/loop that is raised. while you are chaining, just turn the chain over and you can see it. That is where you work the first row of stitches in. After that it is all hdc. You could work the rest of the rows in the back loops for a variation. It would give it a really nice textured look. I would do a swatch first to see if you like the look of back loop hdcs.

    Hope this helps everyone. Thank you, Liz for the pattern.

    Reply

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