Ivory Chain Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Ivory Chain Cowl is a soft, slouchy tube cowl that anyone can wear, whether you are brand new to crochet or have a hook in your hand every day. It is worked in the round with simple double crochet, so the whole project is just one easy stitch repeated over and over. Two narrow sage green stripes break up the cream fabric and give it a calm, dark academia feel that looks lovely layered over a sweater or a coat. The finished fabric is light and airy, drapes gently around the neck, and is unisex enough for anyone in the family to borrow.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) yarn, acrylic or wool blend. Color A (cream): 300 yards. Color B (sage green): 100 yards.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker (for the join), tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
• Finished size: Circumference 56 inches (142 cm), height 14 inches (35.5 cm).

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• beg – beginning.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• Rnd – round.

Gauge

12 stitches and 8 rows in double crochet = 4 inches (10 cm). To check, crochet a small swatch in double crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 12, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• When you join the starting chain into a ring, lay it flat on the table first so it does not twist; a twisted ring cannot be fixed later.
• Always join each round to the top of the beginning ch-3, not to the first dc, so your seam stays straight.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of the round before the new color begins, so the color change is clean.
• Keep your tension relaxed and even; a slightly loose double crochet gives this cowl its soft, airy drape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cowl (worked in rounds)

With color A, ch 168, join with sl st to the first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each ch around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (168 dc).

Rnds 2–6: ch 3, dc in each dc around, join (168 dc).

Change to color B.

Rnds 7–8: ch 3, dc in each dc around, join (168 dc).

Change to color A.

Rnds 9–20: ch 3, dc in each dc around, join (168 dc).

Change to color B.

Rnds 21–22: ch 3, dc in each dc around, join (168 dc).

Change to color A.

Rnds 23–28: ch 3, dc in each dc around, join (168 dc).

Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming to do, since the cowl is worked as one seamless tube. Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the fabric, threading each tail through a few stitches in its own color so it disappears. Block lightly by misting the cowl with water and laying it flat in a circle to dry, or steam it gently to even out the stitches and soften the drape. Once dry, it is ready to wear.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a shorter, closer-fitting cowl, start with a shorter chain (for example, ch 120) and keep the same round counts.
• Swap the sage stripes for any contrast color, or work the whole cowl in one color for a minimalist look.
• Add a third narrow stripe in the wide cream middle section for a bolder, more graphic effect.