"Catesby" Three Hour Cowl
By Kathryn Jones, December 2011 1 skein, 2 stitches, 3 hours!
This is a very versatile pattern and works up super-quickly with Aran or chunky yarn and a larger hook. Great for last minute presents! You could also make a lighter cowl in DK or sock yarn with a longer chain, or even an infinity scarf to wrap around twice with a very long starting chain (it wouldn't take 3 hours though!) Please note that if you want to make a longer cowl the starting chain needs to be a multiple of 10 stitches + 5 stitches. This is a one-sided stitch pattern, so it will not work for a scarf, but I do think it would make a very nice cushion cover/ phone cosy/ laptop/iPad/Kindle case. If you were working the pattern flat rather than in the round, you would then omit the slip-stitch section at the start.
Yarn used: 1 skein Babylonglegs Radiance Aran in Sterling (182 yards, 100g) Yardage: Approx 150 - 200 yards Aran weight yarn, but stitch pattern can be easily adapted to use any yarn weight, hook size and yardage Skill level: Easy. If you can do double and treble crochet stitches (single and double for US readers), you can make this cowl. Once you have completed the first row it really is very easy; just keep going until yourun out of yarn! Time required: 3 hours from start to finish, but some of my speedier testers have finished it in only 2 hours. If you are using a bulky/chunky yarn, it will be even faster. Hook size: I used a 7mm hook, but also a slightly heavier weight of Aran yarn. If you are using a standard Aran or Worsted yarn (or are in the US and cannot get hold of a 7mm hook), you can switch to a 6.5mm hook and this will not greatly impact on the results.
Stitches used:
Slip-stitch (SL-ST) Double crochet (DC) Treble (TR)
This pattern uses UK crochet terms:
UK DC = US SC UK TR = US DC
The pattern:
Chain 75 loosely. It might help to go up one hook size for the chain. If you want to make the chain longer or shorter, please note it needs to be a multiple of 10 stitches + 5 stitches. Join ends with SL-ST, making sure not to twist the chain. (Helpful tip: if you have difficulty with not twisting the chain you could continue with the first row and then go back and join the chain afterwards - just make sure to use stitch markers to mark both stitches you want to SL-ST together) Stop to check the loop goes over your head and you are happy with the size. Happy? Let's move OntoRow1! Very important: You will be working into the back loops only for the whole pattern. This is what creates the raised wave effect.
Row 1:
SL-ST into first chain and each of the next 4 chains. Chain 1. Work one DC into the next chain and each of the next 4 chains. Work one TR into each of the next 5 chains, then alternate 5 DC followed by 5 TR all the way around. Your last 5 stitches should be TR. Do not join the round with a SL-ST.
Row 2 -end :
Remembering to work into the back loops only, work one DC into each of the five SL-ST at the start of the previous row. Skipping the chain-1, work one TR into each of the first 5 DC of previous row, then one DC into each of the next 5 TR. Continue all the way around in a spiral working DC into TR and TR into DC stitches until you run out of yarn or you are happy with the size of the cowl. Finish on 5 DCs as these will be less obvious than TRs. Weave in ends. It's done! This pattern is Copyright Kathryn Jones, 2011. This is a free pattern. You may not sell items made from this pattern. If you wish to do so for charity purposes, or if you have any other questions about the pattern, please contact me via Ravelry.com. My username is whereismymind.
