I had plans to write this pattern up to sell, but I changed my mind and decided to give the instructions out for free!

This is one of my favourite cowls that I have made.  I don’t have much need for it right now since it is so blinking hot in Australia in summer! But I know that it is cold elsewhere and I know that I will get lots of use of it again once the weather cools down.

I love cowls.  They are perfect for adding a layer and getting warm without getting too bulky.  They also don’t get in the way when you’re trying to do things and they don’t come undone!  And I love the design of this one because it is quite snug and can be added to an outfit without getting in the way of anything.

This one is also perfect as it doesn’t take too long to make and you don’t need to remember any tricky stitches.  And it uses hdc (htr) which is one of my favourite stitches!

So what do you need?

Any yarn really!  I used 2 x 50g Cleckheaton 100% Australian Superfine Merino in Smoke.  The balls are 8ply and 110m.

I also used a 5mm hook for the initial chain and a 4mm hook for the main stitches after that.

You’ll probably want a needle to weave in the ends too.

Measurements.

Before joining, the cowl measured 31cm x 42 cm.  I didn’t take a gauge, but this is totally adaptable!

Abbreviations:  

Through the pattern notes I’ll write in US terms with (UK terms) in brackets.

 

US TERMS		UK TERMS
ss	slip stitch	ss	slip stitch
ch	chain	ch	chain
sc	single crochet	dc	double crochet
hdc	half double crochet	htr	half treble
hdcV	Half double crochet V stitch	htrV	Half treble v stitch

 

Special Stitches

This pattern uses the half double crochet V stitch (half treble V stitch)

To make the stitch

• work into a single stitch or chain space – 1hdc(htr), ch1, 1hdc(htr)
• In the next row hdcV (htrV) is worked into the ch1 space of the row below

Pattern Notes:

There is no reason why you can’t adjust the length or width of this cowl to better suit you.  If keeping the same width and wanting it longer, you will need more yarn.

To use the same amount of yarn but have it less snug, make the beginning chain smaller so that the piece is longer.

If adjusting the beginning chain make sure you work in multiples of 2 and keep your chain count to an even number.

If using different yarn you will need to adjust based on the hook needed for the yarn – but make sure you still do the beginning chain with a bigger hook!

PATTERN

Begin: Chain 54 with the bigger hook.

Row 1: switch to the smaller hook. In the 4th chain from the hook work 1hdc(htr) [counts as 1hdcV or 1htrV].  **Skip one chain and work 1hdcV(htrV) into the next chain**.  Repeat between the ** until the end.  Work 1hdc(htr) into the last chain, then ch2 and turn

Row 2: work 1hdcV(htrV) into each ch1 space of the row before.  At the end work 1hdc(htr) into the turning chain or the space between the last hdc & turning chain (I worked into the space).

Keep working Row 2 until you get to near the end of the 2nd ball of yarn or to the length that you want.

Join: Depending on how much yarn you have left, join the two short ends using a sc(dc)(lots of yarn left) or a slip stitch (not much yarn left).  I worked across the two pieces by working the slip stitch into the chain 1 spaces of each end .  It ended up looking quite seamless.

So there you have it!  My snug fit cowl – my favourite – and look you can still see my necklaces when I wear it!

And before I go – if you haven’t already, make sure you head to my store and sign up for my monthly newsletter!  It comes out on the 1st of every month and includes a monthly giveaway promotion.  I also have a facebook group where I share pattern notes before I write them up!  I’ve recently added notes for a new Mesh Cowl that I am currently creating.

xx