Free Crochet Cowl Pattern in DK

This Free Crochet Cowl Pattern is made in lightweight DK weight yarn in a 3-round repeat, separated by tiny rounds of secondary colors. Such a quick project that you can make it for everyone!

A cowl is a circular scarf, sometimes called a neckwarmer. You can make it short, like this one. Or, make it longer to double it around the neck. Just think of it as a scarf that won’t get blown around by the wind.

There are enough details and instructions to change the width and height, if you prefer a different look. You could also change the yarn weight by adjusting the hook size and tension.

“Carefree Cowl” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman, © Nov. 2022 All rights reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet
Skill Level: Easy

Crochet Pattern At A Glance

This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.

My Crochet Pattern Notes

This project is worked in the round, joining each round as you go. It starts with a crochet chain which can be a little tricky. You ordinarily need to join the chain, making sure that it doesn’t twist.

For this pattern, I’ve got a little trick so you don’t need to worry about the twisting as much. One less thing to worry about, right?!

Working in the Round Without Twisting Chain

The most difficult part of starting a crochet project worked in the round is the beginning chain. After making a long chain, you need to join the ends together, being careful not to twist the chain. That twisting part is the tricky bit.

I’ve found that you can go ahead and make the first round and slip stitch to join that first single crochet round instead of slip stitching the chain together. It’s so much easier to join a round of stitches than chains.

And, bonus! If you like to start projects with a foundation single crochet, you can use that in the same way. Just work your foundation single crochet stitches then slip stitch together.

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Finished Size

Flat: 14″ wide, 8″ high.
Circumference: 28″ around.

Yarn

Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 225 yards Empire, 35 yards Copper, 30 yards Plum

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Yarn Substitution

I’ve used DK weight yarn (size 3) because I love this size. There’s a lot of yardage on a 100g skein of Stylecraft Special DK. You could use any yarn you like, using the hook size you prefer. You may need to make changes to the number of stitches and the amount of yarn required.

If you are unable to use Stylecraft Special DK, any acrylic or acrylic blend in size 3 lightweight yarn will be close enough.

Other Materials

Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.

Gauge

16 stitches for 15 rounds measures approximately 4″ x 4″.

Working at a different tension may require additional materials.

Special Stitches

Cluster (cl): Yarn over, insert hook in stitch indicated, yarn over, pull loop through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, [yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull loop through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice, yarn over, pull through 4 loops on hook.

Other Abbreviations

This Cowl pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

ch=chain; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sl=slip; sp(s)=space(s); st(s)=stitch(es).

All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.

Free Crochet Pattern Instructions

If you would like to change the yarn or size of the cowl, start off with any multliple of 4 stitches then add 2 more. (Mult of 4, plus 2).

If you prefer to use foundation single crochet, make 116 then join to first and close the bottom of the join with the loose strand.

When changing colors at the end of the round, switch the color on the final slip stitch join.

When you finish using a primary color, drop it but don’t cut it. Carry up the primary color to the next round when needed. When using a secondary color, cut if off after the round.

Round 1: With A, ch 117, sk first ch, sc in each remaining ch. Being careful not to twist the sc strip, sl st to the first sc. Using yarn needle, pull the starting strand through the bottom of the last sc to fully join the round. This strand will be woven in later.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc as joining, *ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl (see Special Stitches above) in next sc, ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl in next sc, ch 2, sl st to first sc: 29 cl.

Round 3: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp around, sl st to first sc with B: 116 sc.

Round 4: Now with B, ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc with A: 116 sc.

Round 5: Now with A, ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc: 116 sc.

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same sc as joining, *ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl in next sc, ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl in next sc, ch 2, sl st to first sc: 29 cl.

Round 7: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp around, sl st to first sc with C: 116 sc.

Round 8: Now with C, ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc with A: 116 sc.

Round 9: Now with A, ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc: 116 sc.

Round 10: Ch 1, sc in same sc as joining, *ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl in next sc, ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 2, sk 1 sc, cl in next sc, ch 2, sl st to first sc: 29 cl.

Round 11: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp around, sl st to first sc with B: 116 sc.

Rounds 12-27: Rep rounds 4-11.

Rounds 28-31: Rep rounds 4-7. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely.

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TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know.

*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.