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Crochet Patterns Scarves, Shawls and Cowls

Crochet Easy Cowl Pattern

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If you’re looking for a quick and simple project, this crochet easy cowl is not just quick and easy to make but it’s also warm and cozy! The free pattern is beginner friendly, scroll down to see the pattern.

This easy crochet cowl pattern is perfect for advanced beginners who already have basic crochet stitches skills. It’s also a great project that can be done in front of the TV while watching your favourite program! 🙂

This crochet cowl is a quick make and can be done in about an hour, depending on your skills and experience. The pattern is worked flat in back-and-forth rows and uses a variation of Half Double Crochet stitches.

The cowl measures 28″ in circumference and 12.5″ wide but you can make it as long and as wide as you like. For a longer cowl, you’ll need to make your foundation chain longer. And for a wider cowl, just add more rows.

I used medium worsted yarn (4 Seasons Spot Saver USA Style) and a size J (6mm) crochet hook. To me, this particular yarn feels thicker than some other worsted weight yarns I have worked with. It feels more dense, with a sponge-like texture.

You can use any type & weight of yarn you like, you’ll just need to adjust the size of your hook (check yarn label for hook sizes). I think this cowl would look great if you use bulky or super bulky yarn and you’ll be able to finish it much quicker! If you use a different thickness of yarn, make sure to adjust the amount of foundation stitches to meet the gauge.

This crochet cowl is designed to be short, sitting just around your neck. If you like a longer version, take a look at the Knit-Look Infinity Scarf. It is longer and made to be wrapped a couple of times around the neck. The design is slightly different from this crochet cowl pattern as it’s worked in a round, using a different variation of the half double crochet stitch.

If you don’t like working in the round, you’ll love this simple design! This cowl pattern is worked flat and the two ends are stitched together. Easy – peasy!

I have twisted the cowl a couple of times before I connected the sides. But you can connect it without a twist or with one twist only. I personally like it to be slightly twisted but it’s up to your preference – make it your own! 🙂

About the Stitch

In this easy cowl pattern I used half double crochet stitches worked in third loops. You probably are familiar with back loops and front loops. Third loops in half double crochet stitches are located just under the front loops, see pictures below.

Working into the third loop creates a lovely crochet stitch pattern with a beautiful texture and the pattern looks the same on both sides.

Difficulty level

Easy/Advanced Beginner

Crochet Cowl Free Pattern

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Skill level

Easy

Dimensions

Width: 12.5″ (32cm)

Circumference: 28″ (71cm)

Gauge

12 Sts x 10 rows in pattern = 4″ (10cm)

Materials

4 Seasons Spot Saver USA Style (100% Acrylic, worsted medium weight #4 / Aran / 10 ply)

Colour: Pumpkin

Skeins: 1 (341 yds / 312 m, 200g)

Crochet hooks: 6mm (J) and 7mm for the foundation chain

Scissors, yarn needle

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Ch = chain

St(s) = stitch(es)

HDC = half double crochet

FHDC = foundation half double crochet stitches

Crochet Cowl Pattern Notes

The scarf is worked flat, lengthwise and then stitched together to form a circle. The cowl is connected with a double twist.

This pattern uses foundation half double crochet stitches instead of a foundation chain. This creates a more elastic edge.

You can also make a foundation chain but I recommend to use a bigger size crochet hook (7mm) for the chain. This is because foundation chains tend to be slightly tighter then the rest and don’t stretch as much. If you use a slightly bigger size hook for the chain, this creates more space between the chains and therefore more elasticity. 🙂

The Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.

You can make a shorter/longer scarf by chaining less/more.

You can make a wider or narrower scarf by working more or less rows.

Crochet Cowl Pattern Written Instructions

If starting with foundation half double crochet stitches: With the 6mm (J) crochet hook, make 86 foundation HDC stitches or until you reach 28 inches. Continue to Row 2.

If starting with a foundation chain: With the 7mm crochet hook, chain 88 or until your chain measures 28 inches and switch to 6mm crochet hook. Working on the back side of your chain, insert your hook in the third Ch (bump) from hook and work a HDC. Continue until the end of row, working HDC in every Ch.

foundation chain

Row 2 – 33 (12.5 inches, or until you reach your desired width): Ch 1, turn. Work HDC in the third loop of the first St, and every St across the row. Make sure not to skip the very last stitch! You should have the same amount of stitches in every row.

HDC in Third Loop Stitch Demo
starting second row demonstration of the half double crochet in third loop stitch.
HDC in Third Loop Stitch Demo
three rows of half double crochet stitches in third loop completed
HDC in Third Loop Stitch Demo

When you reach the desired width of your scarf, fasten off and cut yarn leaving approx. 35″ long tail for stitching the sides together.

Assembling the Cowl

When you have reached your desired width (33 rows in this cowl) lay it flat on the table and thread the yarn needle. Take one side of the cowl and twist it twice. Stitch the two sides together, making sure the rows on each side line up with each other.

Weave in all ends and it’s done!

I’m so happy to share this free crochet pattern with you today. I hope you enjoyed it! Here are some other scarf / shawl patterns you might like.

More Scarf / Shawl Crochet Patterns

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4 replies on “Crochet Easy Cowl Pattern”

Connie Newportsays:

I am coming back to crochet in my retirement. Starting a cowl with 201 chains was crazy! Making sure I didn’t twist the chain was worse! Then I found mycrochetspace.com. Ahhhhhh

I’m happy you’re here Connie! 🙂 Hope you enjoy the patterns!

How many yards of yarn at the same thickness are needed in total? I saw how big your ball was, but can I do it with a smaller amount if what I find isn’t as big? Or would I then need to somehow connect two balls of the same yarn to get it to the same size you made?

Hi Lorelle, I don’t know how much yarn you currently have, so it’s hard to answer. But if you have a smaller amount of yarn then the number of rows will be less than in the pattern, so the cowl will be thinner or flatter, if that makes sense? In the pattern I have 33 rows (12.5 inches) height. You can certainly use the amount you have and see if you like it that way, and if not you can add another ball of yarn to create more volume. I hope that helps 🙂

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