This is my free Crochet Cowl Pattern made with just one skein of yarn! It is easy to make and can be completed in an afternoon.
I love one skein projects because it can help get rid of that one skein that has been in your stash for a while, and you aren't sure what to do with it.
I was gifted this burgundy skein from a family member and though I love the color —I wish I just had more of it! Then I could make a nice blanket, but instead I decided to make a cute little statement piece out of it and make a beautiful crochet cowl pattern which uses the crochet alpine stitch.
I don't know why, but I always thought the crochet alpine stitch was intimidating from looking at pictures but it turns out it is super easy! As long as you know how to make double crochets in the front post that is. A few other stitches that I thought were hard before trying and then realized that it was just my misjudgment are the crochet rice stitch and the crochet daisy stitch or star stitch. Both of those stitches would also make cute crochet cowl neck scarf patterns! I actually do use the crochet daisy stitch in my crochet star stitch scarf pattern so you can see for yourself just how cute it would be!
So without further ado, let's learn how to crochet a cowl with my free crochet cowl pattern!
✏️ Things To Note:
- Yarn Type: I used size 4 acrylic yarn for the crochet cowl pattern. I do not recommend blanket yarn or anything fuzzy as the stitch would get lost. But other yarn types like wool and cotton can be used as long as it is a size 4 yarn. Chunky yarns with little to no texture can also be used.
- Stitch Simplicity: The base of the crochet cowl pattern only calls for single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). It’s super easy and perfect for beginners. The most complicated stitch is the front post double crochet (fpdc), which is just a variation of a normal double crochet.
- Cowl Dimensions: The crochet cowl pattern roughly makes an alpine stitch cowl that is roughly 26 inches in circumference, and 12 inches tall. You can adjust the circumference by using less starting chains, and then shorter by making less rounds.
🪡 Materials Needed
- Red Heart Yarns - Burgundy
- 6mm hook
- Tapestry or darning needle for weaving in the ends.
💭 Abbreviations to Remember (US Terms)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Front post double crochet (fpdc)
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Chains (ch)
* If you see a stitch abbreviation with "x" after it, it means how many times you do that stitch in the following amount of stitches. For example: sc x6 would mean you make a single crochet in the next 6 stitches. Inc x2 means you make an inc in the next 2 stitches.
🧋 Variations
- Yarn: to keep the pattern simple but still striking use bold rich jewel tones, or you can opt for an ombre yarn to give it visual contrast.
- Make it into an infinity scarf if you want to make the crochet cowl to wrap around your head —just make it longer!
🍵 Instructions for Crochet Cowl Pattern
The crochet cowl pattern is made in the round, but starts as a chain.
Ch x 73. You can adjust this to your liking, just make it an uneven amount.
Round 1: Flip to the backside of the chains and work in the back bump. You will make sc in the back bump for the entire chain length (72).
If you are having a hard time doing this, it's fine to just sc normally starting in the second ch from the hook (72).
After you completed the row of sc stitches, join with a sl st to the first sc in the row to make a continuous circle. Make sure to not twist the round.
Notice: there is a small gap at the bottom of the round that isn't joined, sew it closed after the cowl is fully constructed.
Round 2: Ch x2 then in the next stitch make a dc. Continue making dc stitches for the entire round (72).
Round 3: Ch x2, then in the next stitch make a dc.
Then make a fpdc, this is achieved by going under the post of the dc,
yarning over, pulling up a loop,
Next: yarning over, go through 2 loops (like a normal dc),
yarning over, go through the final 2 loops (like a normal dc).
Then for the rest of the round, alternate a normal dc and a fpdc every other stitch.
Sl st to the beginning chains.
Round 4: Ch x2, then in the next stitch make a fpdc, followed by a dc in the next stitch. Continue alternating the stitches for the rest of the round.
Sl st to the beginning chains.
Round 5-24: Repeat rounds 3 and 4.
Round 25: Sc x72, then sl st to the beginning.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Remember to sew the beginning round closed too.
This is the back seam of the cowl, it's hardly noticeable!
And now your cowl made from my crochet cowl pattern is complete! I hope you enjoted this tutorial!
If you are looking for some other stitches that would make great cowls, check out my crochet herringbone single crochet stitch tutorial and my crochet houndstooth stitch tutorial!
Looking for more scarves to make? I have a cute crochet winter stitch scarf that can use any leftover burgundy yarn to create a buffalo plaid look, and my crochet moss stitch scarf pattern uses leftover scrap yarn!
🐌Expert Tips
- Adjusting Length: If you prefer a longer cowl, simply add more starting chains. Just make sure you start with an odd number!
- Working in the Back Bump of the Chain: To make it easier, use a larger hook for the chains. This makes the back loops looser and easier to crochet into. Just remember to switch back to a 5mm hook after crocheting the chains.
- Working in the Round: The crochet cowl is made in the round, but it can be made flat and then sewn together.
🧵 Pattern FAQs
Yes, you can! Just be aware that you will need to adjust your starting chain and the number of rows to achieve the desired width and length. The yardage required will also change accordingly.
A cowl is a shorter, closed- loop accessory that fits snuggly in a single or double loop. An infinity scarf is a longer continuous loop that can wrap around your head and neck multiple times.
Yes, it is considered a "yarn eater" because it is a textured stitch that uses more yarn than other simpler stitches.
🧶More Crochet Winter Patterns
If you tried this Crochet Cowl Pattern (or any other pattern on my website), please let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!
Crochet Cowl Pattern
Materials
Abbreviations (US terms)
- Single crochet - sc
- Double crochet - dc
- Front post double crochet (fpdc)
- Slip stitch - sl st
- Chains - ch
Notes
- Yarn Type: I used size 4 acrylic yarn for the crochet scarf cowl. I do not recommend blanket yarn or anything fuzzy as the stitch would get lost. But other yarn types like wool and cotton can be used as long as it is a size 4 yarn. Chunky yarns with little to no texture can also be used.
- Stitch Simplicity: The base of the pattern only calls for single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). It’s super easy and perfect for beginners. The most complicated stitch is the front post double crochet (fpdc), which is just a variation of a normal double crochet.
- Cowl Dimensions: The cowl pattern roughly makes an alpine stitch cowl that is roughly 26 inches in circumference, and 12 inches tall. You can adjust the circumference by using less starting chains, and then shorter by making less rounds.
Instructions
- The crochet cowl pattern is made in the round, but starts as a chain.
- Ch x 73. You can adjust this to your liking, just make it an uneven amount.
- Round 1: Flip to the backside of the chains and work in the back bump. You will make sc in the back bump for the entire chain length (72).
- If you are having a hard time doing this, it's fine to just sc normally starting in the second ch from the hook (72).
- After you completed the row of sc stitches, join with a sl st to the first sc in the row to make a continuous circle. Make sure to not twist the round.
- Notice: there is a small gap at the bottom of the round that isn't joined, sew it closed after the cowl is fully constructed.
- Round 2: Ch x2 then in the next stitch make a dc. Continue making dc stitches for the entire round (72).
- Round 3: Ch x2, then in the next stitch make a dc. Then make a fpdc, this is achieved by going under the post of the dc, yarning over, pulling up a loop, yarning over, go through 2 loops (like a normal dc), yarning over, go through the final 2 loops (like a normal dc).
- Then for the rest of the round, alternate a normal dc and a fpdc every other stitch.
- Sl st to the beginning chains.
- Round 4: Ch x2, then in the next stitch make a fpdc, followed by a dc in the next stitch. Continue alternating the stitches for the rest of the round.
- Sl st to the beginning chains.
- Round 5-24: Repeat rounds 3 and 4.
- Round 25: Sc x72, then sl st to the beginning.
- Fasten off and weave in the ends.
- Remember to sew the beginning round closed too.
- This is the back seam of the cowl, it's hardly noticeable!
- And now your cowl made from my crochet cowl pattern is complete! I hope you enjoted this tutorial!
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