Brighten up those dreary winter days with this bold project featuring vibrant blocks of color. This cowl, inspired by mid-century modern architecture, is just the thing to give your winter wardrobe a little pick-me-up. The motifs are easy and portable, and the joining involves no sewing.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 13” x 50” circumference
Gauge: Approximately 14 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in motif pattern
Materials
Yarn:
Patons Lace Sequin (68% acrylic, 14% polyester, 9% mohair, 9% wool; 344 yards [314 meters]/70 grams): #37005 Crystal (CC, 1 skein), #37010 Chocolate Diamond (MC1, 1 skein), #37018 Amber (MC2, 1 skein), #37420 Pink Diamond (MC3, 1 skein), #37707 Ruby (MC4, 1 skein)
Hook: US size G/6 (4.25 mm) hook
Notions: Tapestry needle, split ring stitch markers
Special Stitches
First foundation half double crochet (Ffhdc): Ch 3, yo, insert hk into 3rd ch from hk, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 1 lp on hook (ch-1 completed), yo, pull through rem lps on hk (hdc completed).
Foundation half double crochet (Fhdc): Yo, insert hk in last ch-1 made, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 1 lp on hk (ch-1 completed), yo, pull through rem lps on hk (hdc completed).
Pattern Notes
Cowl is worked flat in individual motifs, which are joined prior to blocking.
Each motif is worked in the round in one of four MCs.
The initial ch-3 of every motif’s first round counts as ch 1, 1 hdc.
The last round of all motifs is worked in CC.
After blocking, cowl is seamed and then edging is worked in the round on both sides.
Ch 2 at the beg of any rnd counts as first hdc.
Pattern
Small Motif (Make Two in each of MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC4 for a total of 8)
Rnd 1: With any MC, ch 3 (counts as ch 1, 1 hdc), ffhdc, 3 fhdc, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch-1, (first two corners worked). Turn work 180 degrees so bottom ch-1s are now working surface, 1 hdc in each rem ch-1, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1) in last ch-1, join with sl st in top of initial ch 3. (1 ffhdc, 3 fhdc, 7 hdc, 4 corner ch-1 sps)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, PM in 2nd ch, 1 hdc in next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 5 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), join with sl st in marked ch. (22 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 5 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 7 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next st, join with sl st in marked ch. (30 hdc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 9 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next 2 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (38 hdc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 7 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 8 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 11 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 8 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next 3 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (46 hdc) Fasten off MC.
Rnd 6: Joining CC, ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 8 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 10 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 13 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 10 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next 4 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (54 hdc) Remove st marker. Fasten off.
Medium Motif (Make One in each of MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC4 for a total of 4)
Rnd 1: With any MC, ch 3 (counts as ch 1, 1 hdc), ffhdc, 14 fhdc, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch-1, (first two corners worked). Turn work 180 degrees so bottom ch-1s are now working surface, 1 hdc in each rem ch-1, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1) in last ch-1, join with sl st in top of initial ch 3. (1 ffhdc, 14 fhdc, 7 hdc, 4 corner ch 1 sps)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, PM in 2nd ch, 1 hdc in next 15 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 16 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), join with sl st in marked ch. (44 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 16 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 18 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next st, join with sl st in marked ch. (52 hdc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 17 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 20 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 2 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (60 hdc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 18 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 8 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 22 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 8 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 3 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (68 hdc)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, sm, 1 hdc in next 19 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 10 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 24 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 10 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 4 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (76 hdc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, sm, 1 hdc in next 20 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 5 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (84 hdc) Fasten off MC.
Rnd 8: Joining CC, ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 21 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 14 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 28 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 14 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next 6 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (92 hdc) Remove st marker. Fasten off.
Long Motif (Make One in each of MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC4 for a total of 4)
Rnd 1: With any MC, ch 3 (counts as ch 1, 1 hdc), ffhdc, 28 fhdc, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch-1, (first two corners worked). Turn work 180 degrees so bottom ch-1s are now working surface, 1 hdc in each rem ch-1, (ch 1, 2 hdc, ch 1) in last ch-1, join with sl st in top of initial ch 3. (1 ffhdc, 28 fhdc, 7 hdc, 4 corner ch 1 sps)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, PM in 2nd ch, 1 hdc in next 29 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 30 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 2 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), join with sl st in marked ch. (72 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 30 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 32 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 4 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next st, join with sl st in marked ch. (80 hdc) Fasten off MC.
Rnd 4: Joining CC, ch 2, SM, 1 hdc in next 31 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc in next 34 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), 1 hdc next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp (corner), hdc in next 2 sts, join with sl st in marked ch. (88 hdc) Remove st marker. Fasten off.
Finishing
Using CC and following Schematic A for color placement and assembly order, join motifs in blocks of 4 as follows: join yarn with sl st to first small block corner, ch 1, sl st into corner of second small block directly opposite, *ch 1, sk next st of first small block, sl st into next st of first small block, ch 1, sk next st of second small block, sl st into next st of second small block; rep from * until blocks have been joined along one side. Fasten off.
Using same joining technique as above, join two small blocks to medium block along long side, then join all three blocks to long block along long side.
Once all blocks are joined to form a rectangle, do not join last block edge to first block edge. Weave in ends and wet-block flat. Once dry and using joining technique above, join both edges to form a ring.
Edging
Rnd 1: Attaching CC with sl st at final join point, work 191 sc around edge, ending with sl st in first st to join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sc, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * around, ending with sl st in first sc. Fasten off CC.
Rnd 3: Joining MC3, ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around, ending with sl st in first st. Fasten off.
Weave in any remaining ends.