So, this last Saturday I was inspired by all of the lovely cowls I saw on Ravlery and decided to make my own. I knew I wanted a huge, over-sized cowl that would be super warm and resemble the look of wearing my beloved scarf (it was like 7 feet long so very thick when wrapped around my neck). I started chaining stitches on my giant 16mm crochet hook and here's what I came up with:
The Black Hole Cowl
3 skeins Rowan Big Wool (only used approx. 220 yds)
size P (15 or 16mm) crochet hook
large button (it's good to find one with large button holes b/c your yarn is chunky)
abreviations:
SC = single crochet
TR = treble crochet
Directions:
Chain 50.
Join chain into ring with a slip stitch, being careful not to twist the chain.
Round 1: Chain 1, then SC in 2nd chain from hook, and each chain around. Join last SC to first SC of round with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 2, DC in each SC on next round and join last DC to first DC of round with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 3, TR in each DC around. Join last TR to first TR of the round with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1, SC in each TR **in the back loop only** (this creates a nice ridge on the front of your work). Join last SC to first SC of round with a slip stitch.
**Repeat rounds 3 & 4, 4 times.
Next round: Chain 3, TR in each SC around. Join last TR to first TR with a slip stitch.
Last round: Chain 1, SC (regular SC on this round, NOT in the back loop as in round 4) in each TR, at the same time decrease 5 sts evenly around (this brings in the neck edge of the cowl so it's not quite as gaping). Join last SC to first SC with a slip stitch. Cut yarn and tie off.
Finishing: Try on the cowl and fold one top corner diagonally to the other front side of the cowl. Mark this button placement with a piece of your yarn. Secure the button to this spot. Weave in your ends. Try it on again...voila! Your neck is surrounded by a void of nothingness...I mean the Black Hole cowl :)
I LOVE this. I like crochet, but usually like the look of knitting better. This is a perfect marriage of technique and design. It wouldn't look nearly as awesome if it were knitted.
ReplyDeleteThis so makes me want to learn to crochet!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, found you on Ravelry when I was searching for a pattern for a cowl. I`m so glad I discovered yours because I have just finished my first one today and it was soooo easy! I didnt`t have any chunky yarn so I just used three strands of double knit together on a size 10 hook and it seems to be fine. Thank you very much for sharing the pattern. I`ll be checking out your hat patterns on Etsy too because they`re so nice. I want to make at least one for my trendy young niece!I`m going to be telling everyone about my `Tennessee Cowl`!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this cowl! I just made it yesterday and do have one comment about the pattern. After joining the rounds with the slip stitch, you should chain 1, 2, or 3 depending on the row your working on before you continue into the next stitch. On my cowl, you can easily tell where the stitches were joined. On the next cowl, I will chain 1 before a SC row, chain 2 before a DC row, and chain 3 before a TR row. These will count as your first single, double, or treble crochet for that row. Then when you join back with the beginning, it gives a much cleaner look. Just my suggestion...
ReplyDeleteIs there any reason why you did not repeat the dc row before the last round? I'm definitely going to try this pattern.
ReplyDeleteNope, just a design decision. I think you could easily add it and it would look fine! Glad you like the pattern!
ReplyDeleteI so want to try this, but so far I've only ever used SC (really basic stuff). We'll see if I can pick up enough of the other stuff to make it work. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a beautiful looking cowl. I was wondering, can you wear this as a hood as well? (unbuttoned obviously!) I'm looking for something I can make for my Mum which she can wear around her head, but that won't crush her hair (she hates hat-hair!) & will also keep her neck and throat warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance,
Clo
@ Clodagh...I think she could wear this as a hood, but you would want to make it a bit longer. As it is right now, it wouldn't cover your neck/shoulders if you had it around your head. I would add at least 4 inches probably. I think then it would work well!
ReplyDeleteThis project is currently in the works as we speak and so far, I love it! I was just wondering how to decrease the last SC row by five sts do you do this with slip stitches? I'd appreciate the help :)
ReplyDelete@ Crystal: Here is a great little explanation on how to decrease! I'm glad you're enjoying the pattern!
ReplyDeletehttp://crochet.about.com/library/bl_decrease.htm
First off, thank you so much for this awesome pattern! I'm on the last row and eager to put it on. I'm really confused at the end, though. I know how to decrease 2 or 3 tog, but some how I'm not getting what you mean? Do you mean to sc 5 then dec 2sc tog, repeat? Or do you actually mean to dec 5 sts together (ending by pulling through 6 loops)? This makes sort of a shell type stitch. Sorry, I know I'm missing something very basic here. Could you perhaps break it down a little for me? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi! Glad you're enjoying the pattern. What you need to do is decrease 5 total stitches on the last round, so do a crochet 2 together 5 times, evenly spaced throughout. (ie. crochet a few sc stitches, then do a decrease, crochet a few more sc stitches, do another decrease, etc.) Does that help? You just want to bring in the neck of the cowl a little bit at the end. I hope that clarifies it a bit!
ReplyDeletei love this! i just finished my first one & it took me around 2 hours, so quick & easy. i wanted to make a few more but i had a quick question, if you don't mind... i'd like to take a few with me to my next craft show to sell, is that kosher?
ReplyDeleteHi Allie. So glad you like the pattern! Unfortunately, it's not kosher to sell items made from someone else's pattern. An option though is to change the pattern in some way to make it 'your own' and sell those. That's what I think about when designing knitting patterns as well. Thanks so much for asking!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. I was asking because some patterns do indicate that the finished product is able to be displayed at craft shows or that the pattern creator would prefer that it wasn't. It might be helpful to add a disclaimer to the pattern, I did not see one. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteOk I am a beginner and I have knitted cowls but not crocheted any... I like this pattern and I am a little confused... should this ring be able to fit around my neck?
ReplyDeleteYep, if you're not getting the right width, make sure you are using the right crochet hook and yarn size. It is a large cowl that should very easily fit over your head and be wide enough to button over a coue of inches.
ReplyDeleteSorry, a "couple" of inches :)
ReplyDeleteok I wondered that too. I live 45 minutes from anywhere that carries knitting and crochet tools. So I was trying to make it work with a J hook... I get urges and want to make things when I usually dont have the right needles or hooks. Tomorrow is my birthday and I told my husband that I all I wanted to do is go to Hobby Lobby to buy some yarn and hooks haha... thank you for the input so fast!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I hope you get all the hooks and yarn you want!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really like this pattern hopefully I can figure it out... If not I may comment (:
ReplyDeleteGreat Cowl, question about the button though. Is it just there for design or there for actual use? And am i supposed to be able to put cowl on with the button buttoned (if it is there for actual use) sorry if confusing :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern. I have a question. Is the button there for actual use or is it there for design. Also if it is there for use, (silly question) Am I supposed to be able to take it on and off with or without buttoning it?
ReplyDeleteHi, yes, the button is to bring in the cowl to make it fit a bit more, but is also for looks. It is up to you whether you want to use the button or not. Mine does still fit over my head even with it buttoned, but again, it's all personal preference.
ReplyDeleteSweet! Thanks for sharing the pattern!
ReplyDeleteSure thing! :)
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