This is a beginner level pattern aimed at folks who are brand new at crocheting. It would be a great first project for someone just starting out! The cowl crochet free pattern includes tons of step-by-step photos and detailed instructions for each part.
The two stitches that this pattern calls for are:
-chain stitch
-single crochet stitch
Detailed instructions are given for each stitch. I have also included information on how to slip knot, how to hold your yarn, how to hold your hook, how to fix mistakes, and how to change colors. Unlike other so-called “beginner” patterns, this one is actually very thorough and easy to understand!
The video pattern includes bonus instructions for a 3 color cowl.
I’d love to see your versions of the Beginner’s 2 Stitch Cowl – so make sure you tag me if you make one! @nineinspired on IG & Tiktok and @nineinspiredblog on Pinterest and Facebook
Save This Pattern For Later
Cowl Crochet Free Pattern – Materials
- Worsted Weight Yarn in 2 or 3 colors
- 4.5 mm Crochet Hook
- 2 Stitch Markers (optional, but helpful)
- Embroidery Needle (optional, but helpful)
Cowl Crochet Free Pattern – Primer
Tips for Success
- Start slow! Take the time to practice the stitches before diving in to the pattern. Don’t try to crochet fast, just focus on technique.
- Use stitch markers (or small pieces of yarn in a contrasting color) to mark the first and last stitch of the row you are on. This will help you avoid adding or losing stitches.
- If you make a mistake, that’s ok! Crochet is very forgiving and it is usually pretty easy to correct a mistake. I will even show you how easy it is to fix mistakes!
- If you get stuck, I recommend watching the cowl crochet free pattern tutorial on Youtube. Sometimes you just need to see someone else do something and then it will “click” for you.
- Take breaks! You will likely be using muscles in your hands and arms that you don’t normally use. Stretching and taking breaks will help prevent soreness in your hands or wrists.
How to Slip Knot
Most crochet patterns start with a slip knot (and most patterns assume you already know that). Just in case you don’t know how to slip knot (or if you need a refresher) here you go!
Cross your yarn to form a loop and then lay your loop over the strand of yarn coming from your skein (this is called the working yarn). Grab onto the working yarn with one hand and pull on the starting yarn “tail” with your other hand to tighten.
How to Hold Your Yarn
There are a lot of different ways to hold your yarn, but this is how I do it!
Wrap the working yarn around your pinky, then wrap it underneath your ring finger and between your ring and middle fingers. Drape it over your middle finger, then tuck your pinky and ring fingers in. Use your pointer finger and thumb to hold your work – in this case, you will be holding the yarn tail attached to your slip knot.
How to Hold Your Hook
There’s no right or wrong way! Try holding it underhand like a pencil, and try holding it overhand with your pointer finger extended like a butter knife. Go with whichever way feels most natural to you.
How to Adjust Your Tension
Keeping a consistent tension is important, but it takes time to learn this skill. Pull up on the loop with your hook to make it bigger. Lift your middle finger to pull the working strand of yarn up and away to make the loop smaller. Aim to keep the loop size a little bigger than the size of your hook.
How to Chain Stitch
Chain stitches are the foundation of many crochet patterns, so this is an important skill to learn. To chain stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook as shown in picture 1 (This is called a yarn over), then pull the yarn through the loop on your hook and pull up on the loop a bit so it matches the size of the chain stitch you just made. Then you’re ready to make your next chain stitch. Practice a few chain stitches now to get a feel for it.
How to Single Crochet
You will use the humble single crochet stitch again and again in your crochet journey, so it’s a good foundation of knowledge to build on. Insert your hook into the stitch indicated (in this case it will be the 2nd chain from your hook). Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch. Yarn over and pull the yarn through both loops on your hook.
How to Fix Mistakes
If you mess up, simply remove your hook from the loop and pull on the working yarn to undo the last stitch you made. (This is sometimes called “frogging”)
*To prevent this from happening accidentally, make your loop bigger or put a stitch marker in the loop to hold it open when you take a break from your project.
How to Change Colors
If you want to make a 2 or 3 color cowl, then you will need to learn how to change colors. If you don’t feel up to that challenge yet, then I’m sure a single color cowl would look just as cute!)
To change colors, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch. Then, yarn over with the new color and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.
*For this project, you don’t need to cut the old color of yarn, just leave it attached to your project and pick it up when you need it again
Cowl Crochet Free Pattern
Are you ready to jump into the project? Now you can use the skills you’ve learned to crochet yourself a super cute cowl. These instructions are for a 2 color cowl and you can pick any 2 colors you like. In the pattern, I’m going to refer to the 2 colors as “Color A” and “Color B”, so decide now which one is which.
Row 1: Using Color A, Make a slipknot and chain 115. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Switch to Color B on the last single crochet. Chain 1 and turn your work (see image 1). [114 stitches]
Row 2: Single crochet in the first stitch (see image 2) , chain 1, skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch (see image 3), repeat the bolded instructions until you have three stitches left, then chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in the last two stitches (see image 4). Chain 1 and turn your work.
Row 3: Single crochet in the first stitch, chain 1, skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next chain space (see image 5), repeat the bolded instructions until you have three stitches left, then chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in the last two stitches. Switch to Color A on the last single crochet. Chain 1 and turn your work.
Rows 4-40: Repeat row 3 changing colors every two rows.
Row 41: Single crochet in each stitch and chain space across.
Cowl Crochet Free Pattern – Finishing
End with a chain stitch, pull the loop up 6 inches, remove the hook from the loop and cut your yarn at the top of the loop. Sew the two ends of your cowl together using one of the yarn “tails” or a new length of yarn (use an embroidery needle and the mattress stitch or whip stitch sewing technique). Cut your other color of yarn, leaving about 6″ for the yarn “tail” connected to your cowl. Use an embroidery needle to weave each yarn tail in and out of your work to secure it (follow the direction of the stitches so it’s less noticeable).
And then you’re done! Your finished project might not be perfect but I bet that you learned so much. Just think, when you look back on this project a few months or years from now, you will be able to see just how far you’ve come with your crochet skills. How cool is that?
Copyright © 2019-2024 Nine Inspired. All rights reserved. Please do not redistribute this pattern as your own, but feel free to sell finished items made from this pattern. I would appreciate it if you would credit Nine Inspired as the designer.