I’m sharing a quick and easy crochet cowl pattern today. The Quick Covered Boxes Cowl uses a beginner-friendly stitch combination and a self-striping yarn does all the colorwork for you.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Lion Brand.
A few years back, I decided to try and grow a larger following on Instagram by sharing free crochet patterns there. People always seemed excited in the moment, but then afterwards the patterns became difficult to find and sort of got lost. Other people found it hard to follow the patterns in the Instagram app. So, I’m slowly working on bringing those patterns to the Underground Crafter blog. The first one is the Quick Covered Boxes Cowl!
This is such a fast and easy crochet cowl pattern! I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in a self-striping pattern for my version. This is a super bulky yarn so this project will be done in no time, but the self-striping colorway meant that I could add a lot of color without weaving in lots of ends — yay! (If you’re new to working with self-striping yarns, check out Choose the Right Multicolor Yarn for Fabulous Projects.)
My version used exactly one skein (yay!), but if your gauge is slightly different than mine, you may end up in a dangerous game of yarn chicken. To avoid that, I recommend getting two skeins of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, just in case! The Quick Covered Boxes Cowl makes a great last-minute, gender-neutral gift for any adult or teen on your handmade holiday list!
If you make your own Quick Covered Boxes Cowl, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter on on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
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Quick Covered Boxes Cowl
Easy Crochet Cowl Pattern by Underground Crafter
This quick and easy crochet cowl pattern is beginner friendly and cozy. A self-striping yarn does all the colorwork for you.
Finished Size
- Teen/Adult: 5.5” (14 cm) wide x 24.5” (62 cm) circumference.
Materials
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn (80% acrylic/20% wool, 5 oz/140 g/87 yd/80 m) – 2 skeins in 611 Astroland, or approximately 87 yd (80 m) in any super bulky weight yarn. PLEASE NOTE: I used exactly 1 skein of yarn for this project, so if your gauge is different than mine, you may run out before finishing. That’s why I recommend getting 2 skeins just in case.
- Shop for Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on Lion Brand | LoveCrafts.
- US Size N-13/9 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 14 sts = 5.5” (14 cm) in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- WS – wrong (back) side
- * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Ch 1 at beginning of Rows do not count as stitches.
- This video below demonstrates four ways to crochet into a chain space. I used the first method for this pattern.
- If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to crochet into a chain space, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
- Fiber Flux has a helpful video to help identify the back loop in crochet here.
Pattern Instructions
Cowl
- Ch 15 (or any multiple of 4 sts + 3).
- Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, sc in next 2 ch, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, sc in next 2 ch; rep from * across. (14 sts)
- Row 2: (RS) Turn, ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), 4 dc in next ch-2 sp and each ch-2 sp across, dc in last st.
- Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in gap before next st, *ch 2, sk 4 sts,** 2 sc in gap before next st; rep from * across to last 5 sts, ch 2, sk 4 dc, sc in gap before last st, sc in last st.
- Rep Rows 2 & 3 until cowl measures approximately 24” (61 cm) or desired length, ending after Row 3. Do not fasten off.
Finishing
- With WS facing, ch 1, seam with slip stitch join (see video below) in the back loops (see Pattern Notes).
- If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to join with a slip stitch seam, click HERE to watch it on Facebook.
- Fasten off. With yarn needle, weave in ends on WS.
- Turn cowl right side out.