Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

Free Chunky Crochet Cowl Pattern

Crocheted and Knitted Cowls are big and chunky and warm and totally IN this winter.  Why not make your own with our free crocheted cowl pattern?  This particular crocheted cowl is worked in a flat rectangle then whip stitched together, but you can easily work it in the round.

Free Crochet Cowl Pattern

Materials

Special Stitches

FCH – Foundation Chain (or single crochet): Chain 2. Insert hook in the first of two chains.  Yarn over, draw through loop (chain stitch just created). Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook. (Single crochet created). You now have two fch completed. *Insert hook in upper loop of stitch just created. Yarn over, draw through loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.* Three fch completed. Repeat from * to *across for desired number of chain stitches.

HHDC – Herringbone Half Double Crochet. Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook. (This will be a little awkward, but it’s correct. You might have to use your left thumb and forefinger to really hold the stitches so you can pull through both of them.) Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.

Directions

FCH 45. (If you can’t quite get the foundation chain, don’t panic!  You can do a regular chain 45 and still be fine.  A FCH just creates a stretchier base which will be better for your cowl, but either works!)

Round 1: Chain 2 (counts as first HHDC now and throughout).  HHDC in each stitch across. (45 HHDC)

Round 2: Chain 2, turn.  HHDC in the BACK LOOP ONLY of each stitch across. (45 HHDC)

Repeat Round 2 nine more times or until yarn ends.

Fasten off, leaving a 12″ tail to sew ends together.  Match short ends of rectangle and whip stitch together.  Weave in ends.

You’re finished!

Crochet Cowl Pattern - JJCrochet

49 Comments

  • Alysha

    March 10, 2011

    Hi!
    This is gorgeous. Any idea how much yarn it takes to complete one cowl?
    Thanks so much for the lovely site, patterns, and everything!

  • JJCrochet

    March 10, 2011

    Hi Alysha! I’m glad you like this cowl – it’s the perfect evening project as it works up very quickly. It took exactly one skein of the Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick–about 110 yards– to crochet this cowl. You can substitute 110 yards of any bulky weight yarn and you’ll get a beautiful cowl. Good luck – let me know if you have any other questions!

  • Linda P

    September 9, 2011

    I love this! I made one in just a short time! I also learned two new stitches. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I think I will have to have one in multiple colors! So soft and works up quickly!

  • Tracy

    September 26, 2011

    Thanks so much for the pattern! I made this with a super-bulky yarn and gave the rectangle a twist before stitching the edges together. This made it like an infinity scarf and it lays nicely in a cowl in the front. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it! I send them all your link in case they want to make one of their own. 🙂 Keep up the good work!

  • Tiffany

    November 19, 2011

    Thank you, I love this pattern! I just have a question (I’m new to crochet)…I can’t figure out round 2, where it says ‘back loop only’…what does that mean? I’m sorry if this is basic, I’ve been trying & trying to get it right, so I finally decided to ask 🙂

    Thank you again!!!

  • Tiffany

    November 19, 2011

    Never mind, I figured it out! I love this!

  • JJCrochet

    November 19, 2011

    I’m glad you figured it out, Tiffany! It’s just a different way of crocheting and will give you those little “ridges” in your cowl. Enjoy!

  • Tanya

    December 16, 2011

    Do you have a video where it shows the herringbone half double crochet? I am just a bit confused! My email address is TashaAnn97@aol.com. I have been looking at youtube but all I find is the herringbone stitch, not a herringbone half double crochet. Is this the same thing? I went out and bought 3 of the lion brand yarns in different colors – i am excited about getting started (I have to hide my yarn from my boyfriend and brother – they think I have an obsession). Thank you so much in advance.

  • JJCrochet

    December 16, 2011

    I don’t currently have a video, Tanya, but I’ll put it on my “list of videos to make”. It’s such a simple stitch that once you’ve seen it a few times you’ll know exactly what to do. It’s not the same as the herringbone stitch (I watched a video on Youtube and there’s an extra step in that stitch, but it’s similar.) I’ll keep you posted if I make a video! Oh and P.S. My family has banned me from buying any more yarn so I know the feeling, ha. We can’t help it!

  • Mariola

    December 22, 2011

    Thanks. I got the pattern easily.exciting that I learned another crochet stitch. I did not get bulky yarn.
    Just a bit confused. did you say ‘Repeat round two, nine more times.Or repeat ’round twenty-nine times’
    What is the ideal length of the rectangular piece? My piece measures 9 and a half inches by 3 and a half inch.

  • Tanya

    December 29, 2011

    Jayna, thank you. I am going to attempt this today. I went out and purchased a bunch of skeins (as I hide them away so I don’t get yelled at for being a “yarn hoarder”). But your patterns are so great and it seems you are wonderful – you should offer classes or make videos as a side job! It seems people from around the country love your work! You are very talented.

  • JJCrochet

    December 30, 2011

    Hi Mariola – I wrote out the word “nine” and updated the pattern to avoid any confusion, but you should repeat Round 2 nine times. I’m afraid if you repeated the round for 29 times, you’d end up with a small afghan instead of a cowl, ha. Good luck crocheting your cowl!

  • SarahJ

    January 5, 2012

    OMG I love this! About to start round 4. Thank you for sharing it!

  • Yvette

    March 16, 2012

    Is it okay to sell items from this pattern?

  • Rachel

    September 10, 2012

    I read and re read the HHDC stitch 20 times and had my mom the crochet professional read it and we have determined it is a double crochet?? Unless something is missing….in American terminology it’s a double crochet DC 🙂 hope that clears it up for some…. This works up so quick and I love the back loop texture 😀 thanks!

  • JJCrochet

    September 10, 2012

    Hi Rachel, thanks for your comment! Sorry for the confusion, but the HHDC is *close* to a double crochet, just a little different.

    A typical American DC would be:
    Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch. Yarn over, pull through ONE LOOP on hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook. YARN OVER, PULL THROUGH TWO LOOPS ON HOOK.

    However, the HHDC is:
    Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch. Yarn over, pull through TWO LOOPS on hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.

    It’s slightly different so I’ve capitalized the parts from each stitch that makes the HHDC unique. Let me know if that helps. It’s a tricky stitch since it’s so close to a DC that it can be confusing. I just might have to make a video one of these days. 🙂 Hope that helps!

  • Susan

    November 18, 2012

    DOUBLE CROCHET:

    Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through stitch.
    Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through 2 loops on hook.
    Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through last 2 loops on hook (one double crochet made.

    Sorry but its the SAME..

  • JJCrochet

    November 19, 2012

    Hi Susan,

    You’re correct in your description of a double crochet, but that is not the pattern for a HHDC. I’ve taken the instructions you wrote for a double crochet and added the part in caps where the HHDC is different. You don’t work another yarn over after pulling the yarn through the stitch the first time.

    Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through stitch.
    [DO NOT YARN OVER HOOK] Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through 2 loops on hook.
    Yarn over hook.
    Pull yarn through last 2 loops on hook (one double crochet made).

    Here’s a video I made showing the HHDC. Maybe try watching a visual representation of the instructions and see if that helps. http://youtu.be/gbHZRDfkVMI Let me know if you’re still having trouble!

  • Cristina

    November 21, 2012

    Hi,
    So I’ve finished the width of the cowl that I would like but I have one question before I finish it. I did the foundation chain to start and it has somewhat of a scalloped look which I love. Is there any way to get that on the other side as well? It’s just not completely symmetrical. Do you have any suggestions?

  • Katy

    December 6, 2012

    Thanks for the great, easy pattern! I twisted mine before stitching the ends together to add an extra detail. I also discovered it’s the perfect diameter for a headband too! It was such a quick scarf, I’m making more for the rest of my gifts this year 🙂

  • Kathi

    December 15, 2012

    I am almost done making one of these right now, and it is turning out beautifully! The HHDC used is not the same as a DC.

    Double Crochet
    1. Yarn over hook (YOH) and insert hook into work.
    2. YOH and draw thru work only.
    3. YOH and draw thru the first 2 loops only.
    4. YOH and draw thru the last 2 loops on hook. 1DC made.

    Thanks so much for the pattern!

  • Ann

    December 21, 2012

    Hi – I’ve made a couple of these so far, and taught my daughter how as well. Thank you for posting such a fun pattern! I’m about to start my 3rd and am just trying to figure out how to get it going in the round like you mentioned. Any suggestions?

  • Jill

    January 3, 2013

    Hi I just made this with a Mobius twist – it looks great and is super warm!! LOVE IT. It took a couple of hours to complete. This would be a great gift.

  • amber

    January 24, 2013

    jayna,

    I love this pattern, thank you. I would like to know what the finished product measures to approximately. I feel like my cowl is not long enough. what are the finished measurements?

    thanks

    Amber

  • Jessica

    January 24, 2013

    I just started this last night had finished it up this morning, I made mine three colors(green white and purple) because I had just made a huge afghan a few weeks ago with the thick and quick I had left over yarn. I had a lot of trouble trying to read the HHDC instructions but the video definitely helped a lot(though the instructions still seem to be written wrong for my understanding of the stitch).
    Thank you so much for the pattern!

  • JJCrochet

    January 29, 2013

    Glad to hear you were able to repurpose some left over yarn, Jessica – I’m sure your hat turned out great! If you’d like to share your hat with the world, you can send in a pic here: https://www.jjcrochet.com/customer-gallery/flaunt-it/ 🙂

  • Niki

    February 22, 2013

    Hey there! So I have made this twice now, and really love it. I do have one problem I was wondering if you can help with. I am fairly new to crochet, and it seems like my foundation chain and or chain is always a little tighter than the rest of my work. For example both my scarves came out with looking a little curled.? Luckily it’s not too noticeable with something like this, but anyway do have any tips for this problem? Thanks!

  • JJCrochet

    February 27, 2013

    Hm, that’s odd, Niki. The point of using a foundation chain is so the side with the chain is loser, not tighter. Maybe your gauge is a bit too tight for the first row? I think using a super large crochet hook (3 sizes up) to work the foundation chain, then switching back down to the hok called for in the pattern might help make your foundation chain looser.

  • Angela Hamon

    March 17, 2013

    hi, JJCrochet! Thank you for teaching me how to make a foundation row. I also had to loosen the tension just a little to get it right, You have the best instructions ever and I made one with a heather and white variegated, worsted weight held double stranded. No one can teach as well as you@

  • Katie

    August 23, 2013

    Thank you so much for this pattern!! I’ve just started my second cowl using this pattern, and I will be using this one a lot more from now on to make gifts for friends and family!! The first cowl I made came out beautifully, and this second one I know will turn out as well. Great pattern, easy to follow instructions (though I cannot do a foundation chain to save my life!!) 🙂

  • Stephanie

    October 11, 2013

    I would like to help clear up the confusion over the HHDC and DC. Your video finally cleared up what you meant by your HHDC and what is wrong is your written instructions.
    Your posted: However, the HHDC is:
    Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch. Yarn over, pull through TWO LOOPS on hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.
    But what you really mean (according to your video) is: Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch. Yarn over, pull through ONE loop on hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.

  • babylambsey

    November 7, 2013

    fantastic love it works up great easy to follow videos
    have also made one using dk yarn 4mm hook for my5 yrs old neice
    thankyouso much

  • Betsy

    November 28, 2013

    I do not understand the BACK stitch part. Can u explain?

  • JJCrochet

    November 28, 2013

    Hi Betsy – Each crochet stitch has a “front” and a “back” loop. You typically work through both loops when crocheting, but if you work in just the back stitch (the one furthest away from you when you’re holding your work), it’ll create the “ridges”. Hope that helps!

  • JJCrochet

    November 28, 2013

    Hi Stephanie –

    I believe the instructions as written and in the video are the same. The first part of the stitch requires you to pull through two loops twice, with one YO in between. A normal DC is how you’ve written out instructions with an added “YO, pull through two loops on hook. I think the confusion is coming from the fact that there is a pause between when you pull through the first and second loops on the hook, even though it’s one motion. I’ve re-read the instructions and I’m 99% positive they’re correct. Either way, glad to hear the video helped. It’s always better to see a visual than relying on weirdly worded instructions. Thanks for your post!

  • Wendy

    December 5, 2013

    Hi, I just wanted to clarify the crochet hook size…you call for a P hook, then say 11.5 mm but it is actually 10mm from what I have discovered. Love your pattern…thanks!

  • Sarah

    December 19, 2013

    Hi Jayna!

    Thank you so much for this project! It works up so quickly, I’ve done most of it while my daughter has been napping this afternoon. The ribbed herringbone stitch is so pretty.

    I also have to thank you for introducing me to the foundation chain. I haven’t been crocheting long and I hate doing the first row of a project after the ‘chain x number’ that starts every pattern. It takes me so long to get through that first row, but with the foundation chain it’s so quick!

    Thanks again!

  • Mary Lynn

    December 23, 2013

    I needed a quick gift and I remembered making this cowl a few years ago. Your patterns are so easy to follow and work up fast. This cowl is so warm and is just what we need during these Pittsburgh winters. Thanks again for your patterns. Merry Christmas

  • JJCrochet

    December 24, 2013

    Thanks for your message, Sarah. I always enjoy hearing how others are using the pattern. Glad you’ve taken advantage of nap time. 🙂 Keep that hook going!

  • Deb M.

    February 18, 2014

    This is so much fun to make and only takes a few hours, faster for more experienced crocheters. Really cute, one for me and one for a friend. I used Lion Brand Hometown USA. It took about 1 1/2 skeins. At about $3 a skein you get this great cowl for around $4.50! Thank you for the great pattern!

  • Deb M.

    February 18, 2014

    P.S. My foundation chain was a bit tight as well so I used a Q hook for that row then switched to the P, worked out perfectly!

  • Lori Anderson

    September 24, 2014

    I love this pattern! I’ve been trying to master the FCH for nearly a year and it finally clicked.

  • Wendy Shirai

    October 14, 2014

    What an interesting texture that is created! I think of your hhdc as a combination of a slip stitch and a hdc. Your instructions above say to pull through two loops twice and I think it should say one loop (like a slip) and then YO and pull through two loops. I didn’t understand until I watched your video. Next time I make it though, i think I’ll join the rows as I go and then i wont have such an obvious seam.

  • Wendy

    October 20, 2014

    Thanks for showing me a new stitch, Herringbone, and sharing this pattern! My first cowl is fabulous. A note about working in the round – I decided to my second cowl “in the round” to avoid seaming but lost the wonderful ridges because I was not turning the work, as I did with the first one when working it flat. So I pulled back the stitches to the FCH and re-worked it flat. Problem solved. 🙂

  • Dena

    December 10, 2014

    Thank you so much for the pattern, fun and quick. Making a few for gifts. Can you give me the finished measurement, I want to try using 2 strands of regular yard in 2 colors for sport fans and want to get the right measurement. thanks so much!

  • Rena

    December 27, 2014

    Love your pattern! It’s very easy to follow and makes a quick gift! I twisted the first one but plan to use a large button or two on the next one! Thanks for this versatile project!

  • Pat Marshall

    January 14, 2015

    What are the finished dimensions of the cowl? This one looks lovely and I’m going to get started on it tonight. Thanks so much for the pattern!

    Pat

  • Carolyn Henderson

    March 19, 2020

    I didn’t see any measurements for the cowl. I made one without measurement or gauge, they gave hook size and yarn size 6 but I found the yarn size is not standered. I made the pattern I found used a larger hook, added more stitches then used two strains of 6 yarn. It’s bigger but haven’t had anyone try it on.

    So could you give me the measurements so I’ll know if it’s like it’s suppose too. don’t know why the print is so light it’s hard to read

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