I came up with this pattern totally out of curiosity. I’ve done so much with the “SC+DC in next, SK next” combo (like here, here and here), and one night I was sitting on the couch with a partial skein of Hobby Lobby’s “I Love This Yarn – Sport” and a G hook, trying to make up some boot cuffs with the same stitch and an added ribbed band, but it just wasn’t working. The double crochet stitch was making the rows too tall for the single crochet banding, and the fabric was getting warped instead of laying flat.
So, wondering what it would look like if I exchanged the SC+DC for SC+HDC, I frogged what I had and gave it a try.
I loved the result!
I love those stitches that look like one thing while you’re making them, and then quite a few rows in when you look at everything together, they look different. Case in point: the SC+HDC combo looked pretty similar to the SC+DC combo as I was making it, but after I had a few inches of fabric done, I noticed that as a whole, it looked like a nice, neat pattern of little textured squares. I thought it was really beautiful against the contrast of the ribbed band, too. So, I went with it — and created a brand new cowl pattern!
This cowl could be pretty easily created with worsted weight yarn as well — you would just want to adjust your stitch counts to match the cowl’s intended measurements (listed in the pattern). But I just love the look and feel of the #3 lightweight yarn. It has this beautiful drape that makes wearing it totally effortless. Anything that is “throw it on and go” is a winner in my book.
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COMFY SQUARES TEXTURED COWL
Size:
Cowl measures 30″ around and is 12″ tall.
Gauge:
With H hook, 5SC = 1” in length
Hook: H (5.0mm)
Yarn: 420-430 yards of #3 (light) yarn (such as Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn Sport)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle
Abbreviations Used:
CH (chain)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
SC+HDC (this just means to put a single crochet and a half double crochet in the same stitch)
BLO (back loop only)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard terms.
(2) It is crocheted as a flat piece, then seamed at the end.
(3) CH1 at the beginning of rounds does not count as a stitch.
(4) The phrase “(SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) 21 times” means 21 times total.
(5) Only crochet in BLO (back loops only) when specifically instructed. So for instance, here is Row 2, with only the BLO stitches in purple:
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) 21 times. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. SC in last ST. (54)
(The reason we don’t put the very first and last STS of the row in BLO is because it helps keep the edge nice and neat-looking.)
PATTERN
To begin:
CH55.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook. SC in each of the next 7 STS. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) 21 times. SC in each of the last 4 STS. (54)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) 21 times. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. SC in last ST. (54)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) 21 times. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in last ST. (54)
Rows 4-113 (or until piece measures 30″ in length): Repeat rows 2-3. (54)
Fasten off, leaving a 36″ tail. Use your yarn needle and finishing tail to seam both ends of the cowl together. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
New to site, just saw the textured cowl. Liked the combinations of stitches, like the slot+sc. However, did you make the ribbed band before or after? Nice work, I am excited to Try it.
Hello, you’ll see in the pattern that it is worked in vertical rows so the band is worked right along with the rest of the pattern (not before or after).
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us. I do so treasure lovely free patterns. I plan to make a winter cot blanket for my second grandchild with this lovely stitch. Again thank you. Brenda. JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA.
This is just adorable. Have it on my to do list for my daughter. Love your desings Thank you
thank you for the pattern for this beautiful cowl
Love this cowl! Would like to make with worsted weight yarn because that’s what I have in my stash. Can you suggest a modification to the beginning chain?
I would be guessing, so I would recommend you simply make a starting CH that is 12″ long (make sure it’s an odd number) and go from there. 12″ is the height of the cowl . Since it’s a cowl, you can be off an inch or two and it’s still going to look fine, so don’t worry too much about it. 🙂
I LOVE this!!! I adore all assortments of scarves!!! 🙂
Love this pattern
Love how comfy this looks and that it’s a quick project too
Love the texture on this one !
so beautiful thank you
thank kyou so much this is very different
Such a cute cowl! I can’t wait to make this one!
Love this pattern
I made this cowl and it was a big hit with my fellow grandmothers at church. This is one of my favorite crochet stitches!
The texture of this cowl is amazing and it looks so soft and squishy! Looking forward to making this pattern.
I love the texture of this cowl
I really love the texture of this .so simple but yet so pretty.thank you for posting it.
I have some beautiful yarn in my stash … (schachenmayr lumio color) … and need a simple textured pattern to show it off …. this looks perfect !