Diagoncowl by Lee Carter

This is a really fast project to make up, perfect for beginners, using only a couple of stitches and chains throughout. I made up the sample in the photos in an evening, watching the telly at the same time. A really fun brainless make, believe me I need brainless right now!

This pattern is designed by Lee Carter and I thoroughly enjoyed making it up while testing and creating the sample. Lee has an amazing gift for finding beauty in simple stitches. I'm really pleased to be able to share her designs with you on the blog. Lee created the pattern in UK terms originally, I have added a US terms version for my lovely readers as I know you have a fondness for the option.

What You Need

To make this cowl you will need DK yarn and a 5.5mm hook. If your tension is particularly tight, use a 6.0 otherwise the cowl won’t drape nicely.

Exactly how much yarn you need will be up to you, your tension and how big you decide to make your cowl. My tests took 50g of acrylic and 60g of merino.

Abbreviations: UK Terms

ch chain

dc double crochet

htr half treble

ss slip stitch

Instructions

The foundation row is 100 half trebles. To make a bigger cowl, increase the foundation row in multiples of 5 stitches. I haven’t mastered foundation stitches so I started with 101 chain (leaving a 15cm tail) and worked a htr into the second from hook and each chain to the end. Ss into the top of the first stitch you made to make a circle.

Use the long tail to join the bottom of the stitch.

Round 1: 1 ch, (dc into next 2 stitches, 3 ch, skip 3 stitches) 20 times. Ss to first dc.

Round 2: 1ch, (dc into next stitch, dc into chain space, 3ch, skip remaining ch and the first of the next pair of dc) all the way round. Ss to first dc.

Repeat Round 2 until your cowl is tall enough. About 30 rounds should be enough. It’s up to you.

Finish with a round of half trebles, one into each dc and 3 into each chain space. Ss to join.

---

Abbreviations: US Terms

ch chain

sc single crochet

hdc half double crochet

ss slip stitch

Instructions

The foundation row is 100 half double crochet. To make a bigger cowl, increase the foundation row in multiples of 5 stitches. I haven’t mastered foundation stitches so I started with 101 chain (leaving a 6" tail) and worked a hdc into the second from hook and each chain to the end. Ss into the top of the first stitch you made to make a circle.

Use the long tail to join the bottom of the stitch.

Round 1: 1 ch, (sc into next 2 stitches, 3 ch, skip 3 stitches) 20 times. Ss to first sc.

Round 2: 1ch, (sc into next stitch, sc into chain space, 3ch, skip remaining ch and the first of the next pair of sc) all the way round. Ss to first sc.

Repeat Round 2 until your cowl is tall enough. About 30 rounds should be enough. It’s up to you.

Finish with a round of half double crochet, one into each sc and 3 into each chain space. Ss to join.

---

Finishing

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Block aggressively to improve the drape, especially if using real wool. If you prefer to use thinner or thicker yarn, simply adjust your hook size, the number of stitches in the foundation row and number of pattern rows.

Yes this is a really simple design which is great for beginners. Thank you so much Lee for sharing with us!