Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this sample!
It’s coming near to the end of August, which means we’ll soon enter into the month that brings my favorite season of all — Autumn! That means it’s time for cowls, scarves, hats, boot cuffs… do you know how happy this makes me? As much as I’ve had fun coming up with home decor patterns for the last few months, fall/winter accessories are my happy place.
To kick off the season of apple crisp and hayrides, I’ve designed the first accessory in the Little Monkeys Crochet Fall ’16 lineup, the Herringbone Buttoned Cowl. This is a snug little piece of neckwear that is perfect for layering. On a cool day, it looks great worn with a shirt and jeans. On a colder evening, tuck it under your winterwear and let the ribbed collar peek out – the bottom of the cowl is nice and flat, so it won’t add bulk under your coat!
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The Yarn
For this pattern, I used the gorgeous, relatively-new Vanna’s Style (from Lion Brand), which is a DK (that’s a #3 weight) yarn. (Don’t confuse this with Vanna’s Choice, which is a #4 worsted yarn!) This yarn is stunning. It has the most beautiful stitch definition, which shows off the rows of the Herringbone stitch really nicely. It isn’t too shiny, but has just enough sheen to give it an elegant look. I haven’t found Vanna’s Style in any of my local stores yet, but you can always purchase it direct from Lion Brand.
And if you love matching sets, check out the Herringbone Slouch:
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HERRINGBONE BUTTONED COWL
Difficulty: Easyish
Finished Size: 29″ wide x 12″ tall (when laid flat)
Hook: G (4.25mm)
Yarn: About 390-400 yards of Vanna’s Style DK Yarn by Lion Brand (that’s less than 2 skeins). The sample is shown in “Silver”.
Gauge: 16 rows of 17 HHDC = 4″ (see “Special Stitch” below for explanation of HHDC)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, 2 buttons (3/4″ or 1″), sewing needle, and thread to match yarn color.
Abbreviations Used:
ST/STS (stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HHDC (herringbone half double crochet; see “special stitch” below)
BLO (back loops only)
Special Stitch:
HHDC – Herringbone Half Double Crochet. Here’s how you do it:
HHDC: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch. Yarn over, pull loop through stitch AND through first loop on hook (this is similar to a slip stitch motion). Two loops remain on hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops.
(If you need additional help, Moogly has an excellent video tutorial here. Please note that while her video considers the CH2 at the beginning of rows as a stitch, the pattern below does not.)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH2 at the beginning of rows does not count as a stitch.
(3) The pattern is divided into 3 parts: the Top Band, the Body, and the Side Band. The pattern as a whole is worked in one piece (there is no sewing at the end).
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THE PATTERN
Part 1: Top Band
To begin: CH9.
Top Band, Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (8)
Rows 2-120: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 6 STS. SC in last ST. (8)
Row 121 (buttonhole): CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. CH2, SK 2 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. SC in last ST. (6 + CH2)
Row 122: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. 2SC in CH2 space. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. SC in last ST. (8)
Rows 123-124: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 6 STS. SC in last ST. (8)
Part 2: Body
(Note that for ease of row counting, we are referring to the next row as “Row 1” instead of “Row 125”.)
Body, Row 1: CH1, do not turn. SC evenly down the long edge of the piece, putting 1SC in each row. (124)
Row 2: CH1, turn. HHDC in each of the first 115 STS. 9 STS remain unworked (and will remain so for the remainder of Part 2). (115)
Rows 3-42: CH1, turn. HHDC in each ST across. (115)
Note: At this point, you should be on the same side of the cowl as the buttonhole we made back in Row 121 of the Top Band. If you’re on the opposite side you probably miscounted something, but it’s no big deal; just do one more row of HHDC to get yourself to where you need to be.
Row 43: CH1, do not turn. SC evenly up the side of the cowl, working toward the buttonhole, putting 1SC in each row until you reach the inner corner where the top band and the body meet. (41 SC)
Part 3: Side Band
(Remember back in Row 2 of the body, when we left 9 stitches unworked? We’re going to be working in those now.)
Side Band, Row 1 (highlighted in yellow in the photo below): SL ST to the closest unworked ST from Row 2 of the body section. CH1. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 unworked STS. SC in both loops of the final unworked ST. (8 SC)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Row 43 of the body. (8, + the 2 SL STS along Row 43)
Row 3: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS, SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. SC in both loops of the last ST. (8)
Rows 4-23: Repeat rows 2-3. (8)
Row 24 (buttonhole): CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. CH2, SK 2 STS. SC in BLO of each of the remaining 3 STS. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Row 43 of the body. (6SC + CH2 buttonhole, + the 2 SL STS along Row 43)
Row 25: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS, SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. 2SC in CH2 space. SC in BLO of each of the next 2 STS. SC in last ST. (8)
Rows 26-41: Repeat rows 2-3. (8)
Row 42: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS. SL ST in the final ST of Row 43 of the body. (8, + 1 SL ST along Row 43)
Depending on your placement of the first SCs from Row 43 of the body, your piece may look like it still needs one more row of ribbing to bring it even with the edge of the cowl. If so, go ahead and add that last row of ribbing by putting a SL ST into the CH1 space you created at the beginning of Row 43 of the body. CH1 and turn, and complete another row.
Edging: CH1, turn. SC evenly around the entire piece, putting 3SC in each corner. Join with a SL ST to the first SC.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Buttons: Lay your scarf flat, with the corner buttonhole at the top left corner. Your first button should be sewn 1 inch (both sides) from the bottom right corner; your second button should be sewn 6 inches from the right edge, 1 inch from the bottom edge (in line with the first button).
To Wear:
It can feel a bit tricky at first! Start by putting it around your neck with the buttonhole on your left, and the Top Band at the top. The button that is NOT in the corner is the button that will go through the top buttonhole. Once you’ve joined those together, you can slip the corner button through the second buttonhole, then tuck the extra fabric under the cowl. If you need a little extra help, watch this video of the Sparkly Buttoned Cowl (it’s the same style of cowl):
Beautiful pattern…thank you! I just finished it using Red Heart yarn and it’s super warm and comfy!! 🙂
Hi. I love this pattern but it is extremely ‘snug’ on me. I habe finished the top band and I know I won’t wear it this tight. Would it work just to go back and work a few more inches before I start the button holes? Thanks.
It would work, you’ll just have to adjust the pattern a bit as you go. For instance when you get to Part 2, Row 2 where it says “HHDC in each of the first 115 STS. 9 STS remain unworked”, you’ll need to HHDC in as many stitches as needed to leave 9 unworked. Good luck 🙂
I love this set do to my Arthritis I can not crochet or kint. but I can loom . Can this patten be changed be made on a loom….
I’ve never used a loom so I honestly don’t know. 🙂
Hello!
Thank you for sharing this lovely pattern! However I tried to change the buttons and now I’m having problems with the button holes. I found these really cool wooden buttons that are approximately 1.24″ wide . I thought that I could modify your pattern on row 122. By Chaining 8 instead of Chaining 2… but now the end of part 1 is round instead of square. Can you help me?? 🙂
I’m not sure I understand what you did. You chained 8 instead of 2? Do you mean you did that when you created the buttonhole in Row 121? That would leave a buttonhole 4x larger than the one the pattern creates, so I’m guessing I’m not understanding you right. 🙂
I love this pattern so much and I am almost finished, but I’m struggling with the slip stitches that attach the side band to the body. I’m unsure which two stitches I should be slip stitching into. It seems like there is still a stitch left unworked on the row, but you are saying to sl st in the next two stitches on Row 43 of the body, so i’m worried i’m putting them in the wrong place. I’ve tried a few different things and frogged and tried again and something always looks off. I hope this makes sense
Without seeing your work I’m just guessing, but sometimes the stitches can play tricks on our eyes. If you’re doing the correct number of stitches in the ribbing rows, then there won’t be any left at the end.
I love this set but when I put the URL into Print Friendly (love that site) it only brought up the pics and your dos & don’ts but no actual pattern. I copied and pasted into Word and saved as a PDF, so did get it. Just thought you should know. Love your patterns. Keep up the good work because my only talent is making the items, can’t design 🙁
Oh no! I removed the Print button a couple of weeks ago because it was doing the same thing, but when I plugged the URLs into PrintFriendly then, it still worked fine. That’s a bummer. Thanks for letting me know!
This is absolutely stunning! I love it! Thank you SO much for your kindness in sharing! You are extremely giving. x
Once you’ve SCed down the side of the body, do you tie off and start from the left (your pic with yellow and blue lines has the yarn tail in the first SC over to the left instead of the body)? Complicated question, hopefully makes sense. Once I know for sure, I’ll have a super cute cowl.
I think I understand what you’re asking. In the photo, that’s not a yarn tail, that’s my working yarn, and I’ve already SC’d Side Band Row 1. So after you SC down the side of the cowl, you’ll be right in that inner corner; then after you do Side Band Row 1, you’ll be on the outer edge of the cowl. I never fastened off. Hope that helps!
I love this cowl! I’ve made 2 others from your other patterns and they’re always beautiful! I do have a quick question.
For the side band, row 1, you say to SC in both loops of the last u worked st. Is this like a decrease? How would I do this? (sorry, I have MAJOR mommy brain at the moment and it’s not clicking to me for some reason!)
I have two boys, 4 and 6, and another on the way. I totally get the Mommy Brain. 🙂
It’s not a decrease (you’re overthinking it). For the 7 stitches before that last stitch, you’re working in BLO (back loop only) which creates the ribbing effect. You could do the final stitch in the BLO as well and be fine, but I like the more “finished” look of completing the final stitch in both top loops of the final stitch.
Ah ok! That makes sense now! I don’t know why my brain wasn’t working lol. I have a 16 month old boy and a 2 month old boy who is not sleeping through the night yet so I’m surprised that’s the only part of the pattern I didn’t understand at this point! Thank you for the quick reply!
I just started making this using worsted yarn (Lion Brand Heartland Tweed) and a 5mm hook. It is very easy to adapt the pattern to a different yarn by measuring as you go and leaving out rows as needed. I did 100 rows for the top band instead of 120 and it is measuring about 31″. It is coming out beautifully and I know I’m going to be in love with it!
Thank you for all your gorgeous patterns! I can’t wait for the matching hat!
I am using a G hook that says 4.25 and instead of 29″ I have 31″. What new size hook would you recommend to obtain the proper guage.
Thank you,
Jill
Hi Jill,
Gauge is a very personal thing (what works for me may not work for you). If I found myself in that situation, I would probably just go down to the next hook size and try that.
That said, before you restart, your cowl will be fine if it’s 2″ wider. This is a pretty snug cowl, it has plenty of room to grow before it starts getting “oversized”. 🙂
Great design. Very classy and perfect! THANKS! Cannot wait to get started on one for myself!
I love this pattern but I’m wondering if it can be made smaller. Not the around the neck part but the depth part. Would I just stop when it was deep enough for me?
Thank you.
Sure! You’ll need to eyeball where you want the side buttonhole, but for reference, I placed it at the halfway point of the side ribbing. 🙂
Just curious how much the pattern would change if I used #4 yarn instead? I have some that I would like to use but wasn’t sure if it would make a huge difference or not. What sized hook would you recommend for using a #4…5 or 5.5mm?
It would be a bit bigger, but actually, I thought about doing a version myself. The finished piece that this pattern produces is a more snug cowl, and I think changing to a #4 yarn would just make it a slightly more oversized cowl, which I think I would love just much. I would probably use a 5.5 hook. Let me know how it turns out if you do it!
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern. I am an older crafter but still am learning so it is always so nice to find patterns I can understand and make. Your Cowl is just lovely!
Such a lovely cowl. I appreciate you so freely sharing your patterns.
Do you know if the colors of Vanna’s Style are the same as Vanna’s Choice? And have you found this yarn in craft stores like Joann’s or Michaels? I have never seen this yarn in stores. Is it only available online? I have been wishing there were more choices out there of this weight yarn, besides baby pastels.
Thanks Linda!
You can view the colors of Vanna’s Style here: https://www.lionbrand.com/vanna-s-style.html
There are not near as many as Vanna’s Choice has, and I’m not sure if they’re the same formulas to be an exact match to some of the Vanna’s Choice colors. I’m hoping they’ll add more colors to the line as time goes on. I have not seen it in my local stores yet. 🙂
I live in Canada and Michael’s carries the Vanna Choice yarns here. If you have a Michael’s where you live, you could possibly check them out there or go to their website to see if they carry this line of yarn.
I just have to say, your patterns are beautiful and I love this herringbone buttoned cowl. This is on my list to make for fall. I have already started making your herringbone baby hat. I live in Queens, NY and work in NYC and go often to the Lion Brand yarn shop to buy yarn and take classes. I will be picking up the Vanna’s Style yarn to make this cowl. Thank you for all the work you put into creating your wonderful patterns.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am jealous, I would love to be able to visit the Lion Brand shop and especially their headquarters. Hopefully some day! There are a lot of wonderful people there who have been so sweet to me, and I’d love to give them hugs! 🙂
Yes, they have a great bunch of people working there and they are all so helpful.