Are you looking for a free crochet cowl pattern that is both easy to make and pretty? Then you’re sure to love the Desert Meets the Sea Cowl, today’s pattern by guest contributor Caitlin’s Contagious Creations! This cowl uses simple stitches and a striped yarn for a dramatic look.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Photos in this post are © Caitlin Jenkins/Caitlin’s Contagious Creations and are used with permission. Yarn was generously provided by Yarnspirations Red Heart.
About Caitlin’s Contagious Creations
Caitlin and her husband live in Northeastern, PA along with their dog, two cats, and a fish. They are loving life in the boonies and everything that goes with it. When she’s not crocheting, Caitlin loves to read, hike, kayak, snowshoe, ski, and be outside!
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Desert Meets the Sea Cowl
Free Crochet Cowl Pattern by Caitlin’s Contagious Creations
Notes from Underground Crafter
- The ad-free PDF of this pattern is available for purchase on Etsy | LoveCrafts | Ravelry.
- This pattern uses U.S. pattern abbreviations.
Skill Level
- Easy
Finished Size
- 20” (51 cm) circumference at the top edge and 40” (101.5 cm) at the bottom edge x 9” (23 cm) long
Gauge
- 12 HrC sts x 10 rows = 4” (10 cm) swatch
Materials Needed
- 220 yds of bulky weight yarn. I used Red Heart Soft Essentials in Purple Reign Stripe.
- Size K-10.5/6.5 mm crochet hook
- Scissors and yarn needle
Stitches and Abbreviations
- Chain – Ch
- Foundation Half Double Crochet – FHDC. New Stitch A Day has a helpful video tutorial for this stitch here, or read the Pattern Notes for an alternative option.
- Half Double Crochet – HDC
- Herringbone Crochet – HrC (see Special Stitch Patterns)
- Slip Stitch – SS
- Stitch(es) – st(s)
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is made in the round with joined rows. At the end of each row you will be instructed to join the end of the row to the start of the row with a slip stitch. The placement of the stitch depends on what part of the pattern you are working.
- The edging of this cowl is made with the camel stitch. This is a fancy way to say you work half double crochet stitches into the 3rd loop of the half double crochet stitches in the row below. You need to work 2 or more rows of half double crochets to see the effect. When working these rows, you will join with a slip stitch in the 3rd loop (the same location as the first stitch of the row). See the special stitches section for more information.
- Most of this cowl is made with the herringbone stitch. It is another variation of the half double crochet stitch. This stitch always provides amazing texture. Check out the special stitches section for more information.
- As an alternative to working foundation half double crochet stitches, work 64 chains and form a loop, being careful not to twist. Then work one half double crochet into each chain in the ring. Work the pattern from row 2.
Special Stitch Patterns
Herringbone Stitch
- The herringbone crochet stitch is a variation of the half double crochet stitch, with one major difference.
- To complete the stitch:
- Yarn Over.
- Insert hook into stitch.
- Pull a loop up through stitch and through first loop on hook.
- Yarn over.
- Pull a loop through remaining 2 loops on hook.
Special Stitch – Camel Stitch
- The camel crochet stitch is another variation of the half double crochet stitch, but you insert your hook in a different place in the half double crochet below
- To complete the stitch:
- Yarn Over.
- Insert hook into 3rd loop of half double crochet stitch from the row below. You should be able to find this loop by finding the two loops on top of the stitch and then looking toward the back of the top loops.
- Pull a loop up through stitch. You should have 3 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over.
- Pull a loop through all 3 loops on hook.
- Moogly has a helpful video tutorial for identifying the third loop here.
Cowl
- Pattern begins at the top, with a camel stitch edge
- Join yarn to hook.
- Row 1. FHDC 63. Join with FHDC to form ring 64 sts).
- Row 2. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st), HDC in 3rd loop of stitch below in each stitch around. Join with SS to third loop of first stitch in row (64 sts).
- Row 3. Repeat row 2.
- The middle section is made with herringbone crochet stitches
- Row 4. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in 3rd loop of first st and of each st around. Join with SS to top of first st (64 sts).
- Row 5. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in each st around. Join with SS to first st (64 sts).
- Row 6. – 10. Repeat row 5.
- Row 11. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HrC in next 7 sts. 2HrC in next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to 3rd to first st (72 sts).
- Row 12. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in each st around. Join with SS to first st. (72 sts).
- Row 13. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HrC in next 8 sts. 2HrC in next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to first st (80 sts).
- Row 14. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in each st around. Join with SS to first st. (80 sts).
- Row 15. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HrC in next 9 sts. 2HrC in next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to first st (88 sts).
- Row 16. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in each st around. Join with SS to first st. (88 sts).
- Row 17. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HrC in next 10 sts. 2HrC in next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to first st (96 sts).
- Row 18. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HrC in each st around. Join with SS to first st. (96 sts).
- Row 19. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HrC in next 11 sts. 2HrC in next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to first st (104 sts).
- The following rows form the camel stitch bottom edge of the cowl.
- Row 20. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HDC in each st around. Join with SS to first st. (104 sts).
- Row 21. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HDC in 3rd loop of next 12 sts. 2HDC in 3rd loop of next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to 3rd loop of first st (112 sts).
- Row 22. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). HDC in 3rd loop of each st around. Join with SS to first st. (112 sts).
- Row 23. Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st). *HDC in 3rd loop of next 13 sts. 2HDC in 3rd loop of next st. Repeat from * 8 times around. Join with SS to top of first st (120 sts).
- Tie off and weave in ends.