Crochet Pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

The Diagonal Swirl Cowl pairs a textured, traveling crochet stitch pattern with a unique, hand dyed yarn to create a beautiful neckwarmer. It’s a quick-to-make project with a stitch pattern that lets the yarn shine.

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 BellaTuBoheme.

Last year, Felicity from BellaTuBoheme started collaborating with me as a guest contributor. She shared three crochet designs as guest posts (A Night in Paris Cabbie Cap, Basket of Posies Clutch, and the Pixie-Goth Lace-Up Choker). Felicity also makes stitch markers and is an indie yarn dyer, and I confess that I was eager to try out her beautiful colorways. Imagine my excitement when this showed up in the mail one day.

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

Yes, that’s right. It’s some of Felicity’s Caterpillar DK yarn. It was a beauty on the hank…

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

… and a beauty wound up.

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

That’s when that quiet panic that happens when you see a yarn that is “too beautiful to use” started to set in. But, I was determined to make something with it!

One of the challenges of designing with indie dyed yarns is to find a stitch pattern that doesn’t compete with the yarn for attention. I think I found the perfect match in this diagonal swirl stitch pattern.

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

This pattern is listed as intermediate because it uses post stitches, but a patient beginner can definitely make it.

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

It doesn’t take too long to finish, either, because it’s relatively short. The pattern does tend to curl a bit, so you will probably need to block it, as I did.

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

Now you may notice that I appear to have a really even tan in this picture. Actually, it’s windburn. I had just come inside from walking around during one of those polar vortex days and I was a bit wind whipped. But my neck was nice and cozy under my cowl!

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

You can wear your version with the buttons in the front or the back, or off to the side. The shell border adds a nice finishing touch.

If you make your own Diagonal Swirl Cowl, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter 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 other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Diagonal Swirl Cowl

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

This quick cowl uses a traveling stitch to add texture. It’s a great project to make with hand dyed yarn since the simple stitch pattern lets the yarn shine.

Finished Size

  • Adult: 22.5” (57 cm) long x 7” (18 cm) wide after blocking.

Materials

  • BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn (100 % wool, 3.5 oz/100 g/250 yd/229 m) – 2 skein in any colorway, or approximately 300 yd (274 m) in any light weight yarn.
  • US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • 0.75” sew-through or shank buttons – 5 buttons.
  • Yarn needle with an eye small enough to fit through button holes.

Gauge

  • 24 sts (including ch-1 sp) = 4” (10 cm) across in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
  • 17 sts = 4” (10 cm) across in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • FPdc – front post double crochet – Yo, insert hook from front around back to front of indicated st, yo and draw up a loop, [yo and draw through 2 loops] twice. Sk st on current row behind FPdc. A video tutorial for this pattern is available here
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • rep – repeat
  • sc – single crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sp – space
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • tr – treble (triple) crochet
  • yo – yarn over
  • *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated. 
  • [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • This stitch pattern has a tendency to curl. I recommend blocking the finished project, using a wet block or a heavy spray block, to straighten the finished cowl. If you are new to blocking, read Blocking Basics for Crocheters and Knitters.

Pattern Instructions

Cowl

  • Ch 29 (or any multiple of 4 sts + 1).
  • Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch and in each ch across. (28 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
  • Row 3: (Right Side) Turn, ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, *FPdc around previous st 2 rows below, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * across to last st, FPdc around previous st 2 rows below.
  • Row 4: Rep Row 2.
  • Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, *FPdc around previous FPdc 2 rows below, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * across.
  • Row 6: Rep Row 2.
  • Row 7: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, FPdc around previous st 2 rows below, *sc in next 3 sts, FPdc around previous FPdc 2 rows below; rep from * across to last 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts.
  • Row 8: Rep Row 2.
  • Row 9: Turn, ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *FPdc around previous FPdc 2 rows below, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * across to last 2 sts, FPdc around previous FPdc 2 rows below, sc in last st.
  • Rep Rows 2-9 until cowl measures approximately 21” (53.5 cm) long.

Button Band

  • Rows 10-14: Rep Row 2, 5 times.
Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

Edging, Button Holes, and Shell Border

  • Row 1: Staying on Wrong Side and turning to work along long edge, ch 2, sc in side of each row across to foundation chain, ch 2, sc in first st, [sc in next st, ch 3, sk 3, sc in next st] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts.
  • Row 2: Turn to Right Side, ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, [sc in next st, sc in ea of next 3 ch, sc in next st] 5 times, sc in next st, sl st to ch-2 sp. 
  • Row 3: Staying on Right Side and working along long edge, ch 1, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, *sl st in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, tr in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across to last 3 sts, sl st in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, fasten off.
Free crochet pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl in BellaTuBoheme Caterpillar DK yarn by Underground Crafter

Finishing

  • Thread yarn needle with a long strand of yarn (approximately 1 yd/1 m long). Position buttons on Button Band (Rows 10-14) with Right Side facing. Sew buttons in place so each button is centered between corresponding button hole. After each button, weave in yarn on Wrong Side of Button Band to reach next button position. Fasten off after all 5 buttons are attached.
  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2019 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2019/02/05/crochet-pattern-diagonal-swirl-cowl Thanks for supporting indie designers!

2 thoughts on “Crochet Pattern: Diagonal Swirl Cowl”

  1. Hello! It is a most wonderful yarns I ever seen these days! OH! How much I dearly love to have this yarn? I can not say it! I wished we could have it here in the UK!!! I love it, it is beautiful! 🙏💓✨❣❤️💚

    Reply

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