Twisted Chains Cowl
This crochet cowl can be worn draping around the neck, or wrapped around the shoulders. It is tall and narrows at the top so that you get lots of tumbling layers! It is cozy and warm, with tons of texture!
The Origin of This Pattern
I like creating matching sets. So that is essentially how this pattern came about.
I recently published the Twisted Chains Beanie, so it was only natural to make something to match. I decided to go with a cowl, rather than a scarf, just because it would be such a similar construction to the beanie. However, perhaps a scarf pattern could be down the line as well! It could be interesting!
I tend to like a cowl that has a lots of drape and lays nicely around the neck. This can be hard to achieve when the construction is the same number of stitches for each round. I prefer to decrease a little bit as the rounds go up. This is the construction I opted for in this pattern. It looks kind of funky when laid flat, but it looks great on!
The Yarn For This Pattern
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
I usually try to use the same yarn for projects that I intentionally create to match. However, I had this yarn from Hobby Lobby that I had been dying to use for a while.
Even though this means I might miss out on being able to take a hat & scarf combo photograph (since the yarn doesn’t match), I am really happy with how this turned out. The yarn has a lot of character!
The Pattern
If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf version of this crochet cowl pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. (scroll down for the full free pattern)
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Materials:
Size 4 Yarn (I used a little less than 2 skeins of I Love This Yarn in Bella Donna, 504 yards total)
US J/ 6.0 mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Gauge:
Since the majority of this project uses a rather unique stitch, the easiest way to measure gauge would be to measure the band, rather than create a swatch of the main stitch.
At a 4” length, my band was 2 ¼” wide and 16 rows long.
At a 12” length, my band was 2 ¼” wide and 48 rows long.
Sizing:
Finished size at this gauge is approximately 15” tall, 30” circumference around the bottom and 24” circumference around the top.
Stitches Used:
(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sc) single crochet
(sc2tog) single crochet two together
(dc) double crochet
(tr) treble crochet
technique: crochet in back loop only
Pattern Notes:
Beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch.
I tend to crochet tightly. So be sure to check your gauge as you complete the band (see gauge notes) and if you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.
This cowl is wider on the bottom and narrows at the top, in order to help it lay nicely around the neck.
Vertical Band of the Cowl:
Chain 10.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (9)
Row 2: Ch1. Turn. Sc (in back loop only) in same stitch and in each stitch across (9).
Rows 3 – 131: Repeat row 2. (check gauge notes after rows 16 and 48)
Note: At this point, my band was about 30 inches long.
Crochet the two ends of the band together with a slip stitch. Turn inside out to hide the seam.
Horizontal Body of the Cowl:
Round 1: Ch 1. Sc around the edge of the band, placing one st in end of each band row. Join with sl st to first sc of the round. (131)
Round 2: *Ch 7. Sk 1 stitch. Sl st in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (65 loops) After the last sl st, ch 3. Treble crochet in the same stitch (see photo below).
Round 3: Ch 2. Dc in the top chain of the treble crochet from the last row (see photo below). Twist first ch 7 to the left, with the right side of the chain lying in front of the left side of the chain (see photo below). 2 dc in the top of the loop created by twisting the chain 7 (see 3rd photo below). Repeat for each ch 7 around. Join to first dc with a sl st. (131)
Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the same and each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (131)
Rounds 5 – 7: Repeat round 2 through 4.
Round 8: Repeat round 2. (65 loops)
Round 9: Repeat round 3. (131)
Round 10: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. *Sc2tog. Sc in each of the next 11 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (121)
Round 11: Repeat round 2. (60 loops)
Round 12: Repeat round 3. (121)
Round 13: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. *Sc2tog. Sc in each of the next 10 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (111)
Round 14: Repeat round 2. (55 loops)
Round 15: Repeat round 3. (111)
Round 16: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (111)
Round 17: Repeat round 2. (55 loops)
Round 18: Repeat round 3. (111)
Round 19: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. *Sc2tog. Sc in each of the next 9 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (101)
Round 20: Repeat round 2. (50 loops)
Round 21: Repeat round 3. (101)
Round 22: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. *Sc2tog. Sc in each of the next 8 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (91)
Round 23: Repeat round 2. (45 loops)
Round 24: Repeat round 3 (91)
Round 25: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. *Sc2tog. Sc in each of the next 7 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (81)
Round 26: Repeat round 2. (40 loops)
Round 27: Repeat round 3. (81)
Round 28: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (81)
Round 29: Repeat round 2. (40 loops)
Round 30: Repeat round 3. (81)
Round 31: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (81)
Round 32: Ch 1. (Crochet in the back loop only for entire round) Sc in the same stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (81)
Finish off and weave in the ends.
More Cowl & Scarf Patterns You Might Enjoy:
Sand Drift Cowl
The Kimberly Scarf
Comfy Cotton Wrap
Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern, including a link. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.
May I ask what size 4 yarn is?
Hi Deb, it’s sometimes called ‘worsted weight’ as well. Most yarns should have a number on the label for their “weight.” Does that help? If not, shoot me an email! 🙂 [email protected]
Do you have a video to better explain row 3.
Sorry Stells, no video for this one yet! 🙁
How are we able to opt out of your tracking cookies? I can not see the page because your Cookie box blocks it and I refuse the accept your cookies. I guess that means I should find a designer who does not force cookies on us.
Thank you for alerting me to this issue. I was not aware that this was not working properly and will need to look into it!
How would I convert this pattern into a scarf and not an infinity cowl? Thanks
I’m not sure of the math calculations with out working it up myself, but the rough idea is that you would follow the bank instructions but only make as many rows as you want the width of your scarf to be. Then follow the general instructions for rows, but instead of working in the round, work them back and forth. The part I’m unsure about (without actually working it up myself) would be how the edges might work out.