Honey Bee Cowl in Tunisian Crochet
By Leanne Spinazola
A great project for new Tunisian crochet addicts and/or beginners, the Honey Bee Cowl is a simple rectangle worked in an attractive honeycomb-esque stitch pattern. Using a fingering-weight yarn on a larger-than-you-might-normally-use hook, the resulting fabric is lightweight, has a knit-like quality, and drapes beautifully around your shoulders. Add flair and character to your cowl with some big funky buttons from a thrift store run or your miscellaneous button jar(s)! The finished cowl can be worn a number of ways: all the way buttoned, half buttoned (pictured above) or off-set the buttons for an asymmetrical look!
Materials
\* Approximately 4oo yards of sock weight yarn. I used Madelinetosh Twist Light in Jimmy Beans Wool Tasty Tosh color Sausage, Chard, and Lemon Lasagna \* Size US I Afghan or Tunisian crochet hook, depending on your preferred lingo \* 6 large buttons, at least 1 inch in diameter. I suggest lighter-weight buttons of thin shell, wood, or the plastic variety. Heavier buttons like metal, glass, or thicker shell will weigh down the light, flowing fabric of this cowl. \* Tapestry needle for sewing on buttons and weaving in ends.
Finished Measurements after blocking: 13 inches wide by 23 inches long
Gauge (not super-di-duper important): 20 stitches and 18 rows to 4 inches (blocked)
Legend
ch - chain lp - loop st - stitch YO - yarn over Tps - Tunisian purl stitch (yarn held to front of work, insert hook into vertical bar of the next st, YO and pull up lp) Tss - Tunisian simple stitch (yarn held to back of work, insert hook into vertical bar of the next stitch, YO and pull up lp) sl st - slip stitch sC - single crochet work lps off hook as normal - ch 1, (YO, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook) repeat to end of row. One lp should remain on your hook.
Directions
Chain 65 stitches Row 1: Pull up lp in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Return: Work lps off hook as normal. Remember to chain one before you start working lps off! Row 2: (Tps, Tss) repeat to last stitch, Tss. Return: Work lps off hook as normal. Row 3: (Tss, Tps) repeat to last stitch, Tss. Return: Work lps off hook as normal Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until work measures about 21", or until it reaches desired length, keeping in mind your work will get a bit longer after you block it. Bind off: Insert hook through vertical bar, YO and pull through bar and lp on hook. Continue to end. DO NOT cut yarn! Work button holes as follows in traditional crochet (you can keep using your Afghan hook as a regular crochet hook) : Row 1: ch 1, sl st all the way across, turn Row 2: ch 1, turn work, sc 1 (ch 4, skip 4 st, sc 8) repeat 5 more times (creates 6 button holes), sc 1, cut yarn and pull through last loop on hook. Weave in ends and block. Sew on buttons. Wear and be warm!
