Learn how to crochet a fall cowl in this free pattern and tutorial. I am using one of my favorite yarns, the Red Heart Unforgettable yarn. This self-striping yarn is so beautiful, and the colors work up in such a pretty pattern. This fall cowl tutorial is slightly advanced, and as a result, may not be suited for anyone who is new to crochet.
I do have my beginner crochet series that does show all the stitches used in this pattern (other than a V-stitch), so if you are feeling confident as a beginner, you could endeavor to try this tutorial!
The supplies you will need for this project are:
- 1 ball of Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn in Polo 3.5 oz (100gm) 270 yds (246 m)
- H-8 (5 mm) and G-6 (4 mm) crochet hooks
- Darning Needle
- Stitch Markers (optional)
- Scissors
- 1.5″ (4 mm) or 1.25″ (3.5 mm) button. You have an option to use 1 to 3 buttons.
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The Unforgettable yarn is 100% acrylic and is called a number 4, medium-weight yarn. The ball weighs 3.5 oz or 100 grams and has 270 yards or 246 meters. While this yarn is called a number 4 weight, it is actually quite fine. There are some larger chunks here and there, but for the most part, I think this yarn is more like a number 3 weight. I did a yarn review here.
The cowl can be worn in a few different ways and I show the second option in the image above. The dimensions of the cowl are 8″ or 20 cm wide, by 37″ or 94 cm long. The foundation chain is 37 chains to equal 8″, if you choose to use a different yarn, either heavier or lighter, you will have to adjust the pattern repeat. I explain how to do that in the tutorial. This Fall Cowl will use approximately 210 yards or 190 meters of the Red Heart yarn.
Information and special instructions
- ch = chain
- st(s) = stitch(s)
- sk = skip
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- Gauge: 17 sts = 4″ (10 cm), 8 rows (of pattern repeat) = 4″ (10 cm)
- Finished size: 8″ (20 cm) by 37″ (94 cm)
- Note: all stitches are crocheted into both loops of the stitch from the previous row with the exception of row one.
The Pattern
Foundation chain: ch 37 (very loose chains, if not proficient with tension use H-8 or 5 mm crochet hook, change back to smaller hook when done). If you want to make the scarf a different width, just add or subtract 4 sts either way, but in odd multiples.
Row one: ch 1 (counts as turning ch), 1 sc in the back loop of the first ch (not the turning ch), 1 sc in the back loop of each ch to the end of the row (total 37 sc, or whatever number of stitches your beginning ch started with), turn your work. If you have been using the larger crochet hook, switch to the G-6 or 4 mm size for the rest of the pattern.
Row two: ch 4 (counts as a turning ch and the first tr), 1 dc in 1st sc, ch 1, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 1 dc] in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, ch 1. Repeat from * 4 times to last 3 sts, [1 dc, 1 tc] into last st, turn your work. (5 full clusters and 2 half clusters)
Row three: ch 1, 1 sc in tr, *ch 1, 1 tr in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in 2 strands of the lower side of tr just made to create a v-stitch, ch 1, 1 sc in next tr. Repeat from * 5 times with the last sc into the 3rd ch of the ch4 from the previous row, turn your work. (6 v-sts)
Rows four: ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk 1 st, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 1 dc] in the ch1 sp of the v-st, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc in next sc. Repeat from * 5 times with the last sc into the last st, turn your work. (6 full clusters)
Row five: ch 4 (counts as a turning ch and the first tr), 1 dc in 1st sc, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next tr, ch 1, 1 tc in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in 2 strands of the lower side of tr just made to create a v-stitch, ch 1, 1 sc in next tr. Repeat from * 4 times. 1 tc in last sc, 1 dc in 2 strands of lower tr just made (no ch 1 here), turn your work. (5 full v-sts 2 half v-sts).
Row six: ch 4, 1 dc in first dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 1 dc] in the ch1 sp of the v-st, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 sc in next sc. Repeat from * 4 times to last 3 sts, [1 dc, 1 tc] into the 3rd ch of the ch4 from the previous row, turn your work. (5 full clusters and 2 half clusters)
Rows seven to sixty-two: repeat rows three to six.
Rows sixty-three to sixty-five: repeat rows three to five.
Rows sixty-six: repeat row six, but finish the very last stitch with 2 dc’s (rather than 1 dc, 1 tr), turn your work.
Row sixty-seven: ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, *1 sc in ch1 sp, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in ch1 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 sc in ch1 sp, 1 sc in tc, 1 sc in next ch1 sp, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * (working 1 sc into each stitch and each ch1 sp) to the end of the row, finishing with 1 sc in dc and 1 sc in 4th ch of ch4 from the previous row. Fasten off and darn in the tail ends.
Button 1.25” to 1.5” (3.5 to 4 cm) in diameter
Place button 6” (15 cm) from the bottom edge and 1.5” (4 cm) in from the side. You can add two more buttons if desired as shown above.
I have created a video tutorial for this pattern that also shows the different ways to wear this cowl.
This Fall Cowl can also be worn sort of like a ‘scarfette’. I know that isn’t a word, but maybe it should be! Essentially, it can lay over the shoulders like a scarf and then fasten up in the middle of the chest. If you don’t want to add buttons to the cowl, then you could use a scarf pin instead.
There will be enough yarn leftover from this project to crochet a pretty headband. I created a very easy tutorial for this. There is also the option to add a flower to the headband. You can check out that tutorial here. And if you want to add a flower, I have a tutorial for that too!
I also created a couple of other crochet projects using this yarn:
