This pattern is part of the Fall 2017 Malia CAL (Crochet-Along). To view the other patterns in this collection (including a beanie, slouch, and infinity scarf), please visit the Malia CAL Homepage.
The fourth pattern in the Malia CAL is a boho-style buttoned cowl! Worked flat, this beautifully-textured piece works great both over a t-shirt or tucked under a winter coat.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
If you need a little extra help with the pattern, here is a video tutorial, and the free pattern is below!
Free Printable Tags
I made some cute printable tags for this pattern that you are welcome to use! If you’re selling or gifting this cowl, a tag just ups the professionalism, in my opinion. Print on cardstock for best results!
Prefer a PDF?
This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
MALIA BUTTONED COWL
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Size: 30.5″ long x 8″ tall
Hook: I (5.50 mm) or whichever hook is needed to obtain correct gauge
Yarn: 355 yards of #4 aran weight. Yarn used in sample photos is Yarn Bee’s Rustic Romantic in “Sugared Oats.”
Gauge: To ensure the best results, the gauge check is a swatch taken straight from the pattern. Upon completion, you should have a 4” square. If yours is larger, consider using a smaller hook or a thinner #4 yarn. If yours is smaller, consider using a larger hook.
Pattern for Gauge:
CH17.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (16)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8. (16)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, 3 buttons (1″ – 1-1/8″)
Terms and Abbreviations:
FHDC (foundation half double crochet – see “Special Stitches”)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
LBS (large bean stitch – see “Special Stitches”)
BLO (back loop only)
3rd LOOP (work stitch into 3rd loop only – see “Special Stitches”)
Special Stitches:
Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC)
This is the recommended way of beginning the pattern and is better shown than explained, so please watch the included tutorial video as a guide. There is also an optional classic chain start noted in the pattern, if you would like to do that instead.
Large Bean Stitch (LBS)
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops – one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch – each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round’s final stitch count.)
3rd Loop Only
Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1s at the beginning of rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.
(3) A video tutorial is available up in the post, or by clicking here.
INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: FHDC* 108. (*Alternate start: CH109, HDC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH) (108)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 106 STS. SC in final ST. (108)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (108)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 53 times. SC in final ST. (108)
Row 5: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (108)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 106 STS. SC in final ST. (108)
Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (108)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 53 times. SC in final ST. (108)
Row 9: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (108)
Rows 10-25: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 2 more times. (108)
Rows 26-29: Repeat Rows 2-5. (108)
Row 30: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 106 STS. SC in final ST. (108)
Edging (1 side only, optional): CH1, SC in same ST to round corner. Working down the short edge of the scarf, SC in each row (30). SL ST to the 2nd corner, fasten off and weave in all ends.
Fringe: Cut about 90 9″ long strands of yarn. (I wrap mine around a 9″ cutting board.) With the textured (right) side of the cowl facing up, and the edging (if you chose to use edging) on the left side, start at one bottom corner and attach them in groups of 3 strands every 4 stitches along the entire bottom edge of the cowl. (If you don’t know how to attach fringe, see video tutorial for guidance.)
Buttons: Attach buttons to bottom of cowl using the diagram shown. 
For further help on button placement and wearing the cowl with buttons fastened, please see the video tutorial (toward the end).
Done! If you’re sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliacaland #maliabuttonedcowl and tag me @littlemonkeyscrochet. Hope you enjoyed it!
Hi Rebecca,
Can’t wait to start this cowl! I saw a post somewhere “Steph’s Malia Buttoned Cowl” and the person who made this (she did give you credit for the pattern) said:
“My finished cowl ended up too short to do the overlay in the pattern so it’s a straight button finish.” My daughter likes Steph’s version and wants me to make that for her. I’m not understanding what she means with how it “ended up too short and couldn’t do the overlay”. Can you explain it to me? Thank you!
DeDe
I had same issue with first attempt. So i lengthened it and now it’s too long.
But I like it.
I made this for my best friend for her birthday. It turned out better than I could have hoped for. I can’t wait to give it to her and hope she loves it as much I do. Your patter was so easy to follow. Thank you.
I think this one is my fav. Thank you.
If I wanted to use 2 strands together of #4 worsted weight yarn or a bulky yarn to make a heavier/thicker version of this cowl do I need to go down a hook size to keep the finished size similar to the one strand version?
You would need to do a gauge check to know for sure, otherwise it would be a shot in the dark. If you want to keep the same measurements, it would be better to up your hook size to accommodate the thicker yarn and reduce your number of stitches; otherwise you’ll end up with a very stiff fabric.
I can’t get rustic romantic in Canada. Any suggestions for a substitute?
Any aran-weight (thick #4) will work fine!
What should the measurements be if I was making this for a 5 year old child? I made this for myself and now I want one for my daughter to match. Thank you, beautifully written pattern.
I don’t have that information, but you can always measure around her neck at about the length you would want it to lay, then measure that against your cowl to determine how many stitches wide it should be. As long as your rows have an even numbered stitch count it will work fine.
Missing something here. Looking for pdf of the pattern, created account but couldnt log in yet–assume computer is still processing form or something–but pdf not obvious. Got to see a lot of other projects of interest though. But still would like the pdf!
Hi Sally! My PDFs are available for a small fee ($1.99) using the link up the post under “Prefer a PDF?”. 🙂
hi! love this cowl and trying for myself. i got to row 8 and discovered i had an extra stitch at the end. I looked back to row 4 and it states to skip the next stitch after your single crochet before making your first large bean, are we suppose to do that in row 8 as well? thanks! sharon
Nope – row 4’s repeat is (sk next st, LBS in next st) and row 8’s is (LBS in next st, sk next st). They are flip-flopped (for a reason), but still cover the same number of stitches. More than likely, you dropped a stitch during the row where you worked in the 3rd loops, because that’s very easy to do at the end (but that’s just a guess).
thanks! I’ll have to look back over it. I counted my stitches and had 108 so I’m not sure where I went wrong
Thank you so much for the pattern . LOVE this and can’t wait to try making it. I am new at crocheting so love that you put a tutorial video along with the pattern for people like me.
Thank you so much for this pattern! I tried another before this one, and it did not turn out as pretty as this one. I will be making several more for the Holidays . Thank you!!
I’m using a thinner yarn am I right that it just needs to be a multiple of 2 and it should measure 24 inches when finished?
Oh and I LOVE these patterns. I made the hat in Caron simply soft and it is awesome.
You are correct!
Thank you so much for this lovely pattern! I was looking for something special to make my sister, and this is perfect!
I am absolutely obsessed with your patterns!!!! Thank you so much! And of course I always link back to you when people ask about my work! I can’t get over the comfy Squares Buttoned Cowl! But this will be my next one! Thanks!
Hi littlemonkeyscrochet! I just finished the Malia buttoned cowl, and I LOVE this pattern. The large bean stitch was my favorite row ? The yarn I used was Lion Brand Heartland in Joshua Tree which is a 4 medium. I used a size 6-mm crochet hook and the cowl seemed a little on the smaller side. What size crochet hook you used for your patterns? I’m looking forward to starting the infinity scarf as a gift for my mom next. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern!
Hi Joy! I used an I (5.5mm). All of that info is up in the pattern. Heartland is quite a bit thinner than Rustic Romantic (which is aran), so that might be part of it. The finished measurements of the cowl are in the post above as well, so you can measure your cowl to find out if it came out correct or too small according to the measurements. Either way, if you’d like to stick with your yarn and make it larger, just add an even number of stitches to the starting chain or foundation row until it is the length you want. 🙂
Awesome – Thank you for clarifying! I’m new to crochet and the yarn classifications 🙂 I appreciate your help!
This set is just Gorgeous! Love your designs.
Thank you so much for sharing your Beautiful
Patterns!
Best regards,
Sharon K.
I am so grateful to “finally” find someone as much in love with crochet as I am. I am also truly grateful that, on your page, you want to make things that the younger generation wants to wear/make. I also want that, very much. My kids are loving what I am doing with your designs and love the “modernness” (is that a word) of your work.
I am having a hard time understanding some of your abbreviations. I am a crocheter of about 40 years and have not yet come across some of them. Would it be possible for you to send me an explanation on your abbreviations? For sure I don’t need all of them. But like the MC? Not sure what that is. But I am confident, once explained, that I will have no further complications.
Thank you once again for being the “hip” person to bring crochet back to the popular items in my kids’ world. Have a wonderful evening, and hope to talk to you soon!
Aww thanks so much for the kind words! I don’t have a “master list” but any patterns I’ve released in the last couple of years will have a list of stitches used (including their abbreviations) up in the pattern info. MC is Magic Circle, and I have a tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLLdXNsM5XE 🙂
Hi, Rebecca! I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful patterns that you make available for all of your readers. You provide such easy to understand instructions, and you have helped make it possible for me to create some beautiful projects. The video tutorials are absolutely great! I have just completed the Malia Cowl and will wear it tomorrow:) Also, I truly appreciate your free patterns. I am very appreciative of you and how you have helped me to better my crochet skills! With many thanks, Linda
Thank you so much!
Hi, I made the cowl and it is perfect! Love it! I was wondering if I should wash the cowl before adding the fringe? Or do you think I can add the fringe, then wash? I am using the rustic romantic yarn. Thanks!
I don’t think it would matter much but I suppose I would wash it first so I didn’t have to sort through and straighten up all of the fringe while it dries. (Rustic Romantic is lay flat to dry.)