HOUNDSTOOTH COWL

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

Someone asked me a while ago, if I could design something including the houndstooth pattern. This print which is super classic and that works great for clothing and accessories, for any season. That’s how the Houndstooth Cowl emerged, with a color twist, because it’s usually made in black and white.

A design which is more close-fitting, for those cold mornings/nights where you really need that snug protection. Made of one seamless round piece, that is tall enough to wear over the mouth, nose and ears when you need. Then, just fold to wear around the neck and give your outfits a great pop of color.

Tapestry crochet is used, with back loop single crochets, in a spiral, to get the print. This is convenient, not only for the color work, but also to make a cozier weave. An easy skill level project, because stitch pattern is repetitive and only involving 4 rounds to shape the drawing. With slip stitches to begin and finish the cowl edge, for structure and a nice border too.

SPECIAL STITCHES

Tapestry Crochet: In this technique, you crochet with one yarn while one or more threads are carried and wrapped in between the stitches. Colors are switched throughout rows/rounds to make a drawing. Depending on the project, you will make one or more foundation rows/rounds with one color only and then move on to the tapestry crochet portion of the project.

Back loop single crochet: Single crochet, made in back loop of stitches from last round. Insert the hook in back loop of next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook.

A great project to practice or even learn tapestry, because it’s simpler than other color work projects I’ve made. You’ll also find a beginner video to practice this variation of tapestry technique. PLEASE NOTE that this video (right below) shows tapestry with back loop single crochets, in the round, in CLOSED ROUNDS. The Houndstooth Cowl is made in a SPIRAL so, beginning and end of rounds will change a bit. Nevertheless, I still suggest you watch this clip first, if you’ve never tried this varation o tapestry, to have previous understanding on how to manage the two colors.

The Houndstooth Cowl is a quick and easy design, that will be great for Fall/Winter season, to give as a gift or make for yourself. Length of the video tutorial reflects that simplicity, less than 20 minutes, to follow all steps, from carrying contrasting color, making color changes and finishing this fast piece. And with written instructions, chart and additional photos of the process below.

If you want the formatted, ad free, 8 page PDF document (with written instructions, chart and more than 50 images in photo tutorials) of the Houndstooth Cowl, this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $2.50.

Crocheted with acrylic this time, because the garment asked for a warmer quality. And worsted weight, that works up fast and creates a nice size for the stitches. And no more materials, other than your yarn, hook and a stitch marker, for a portable project, to enjoy either at home or relaxing times away.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS

• 6 mm (J10) crochet hook
• One 100 gr/ 3.5 oz (184 m/ 201 yd) skein of worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn in ORANGE (MC)
• One 100 gr/ 3.5 oz (184 m/ 201 yd) skein of worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn in CREAM (CC) *NOTE: YARN USED FOR THIS PATTERN WAS ACRYLIC WORSTED BY SPRIGHTLY YARNS, WHICH IS CURRENTLY DISCONTINUED, USE YARDAGE AND GAUGE INFO TO FIND A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT.
• Stitch marker
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

FINISHED SIZE:  10.6” x 9.3”/ 27 cm x 23.5 cm

GAUGE (back loop single crochet, with tapestry crochet): 15 sts x 12 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm

SKILL LEVEL

Easy: This design includes basic crochet stitches, an easy level tapestry crochet pattern, simple shaping and finishing techniques.

STITCH GUIDE

• Rnd: round
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Ch: chain
• Sl st: slip stitch
• Rep: repeat
• Bl: back loop
• Sc: single crochet
• MC: main color
• CC: contrasting color
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

 NOTES 

• When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sl st, place a marker in first st of the rnd and move up as work progresses.
• When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with blsc, place a marker in first st of the rnd and move up as work progresses.

HOUNDSTOOTH COWL
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. With MC, ch 80.
Rnd 1: Starting in first ch made, to close in the round, sl st 80 (taking care not to twist the foundation ch)= 80 sts

Rnd 2: Bl sc 80= 80 sts

Rnd 3: From this round on, carry and wrap CC, to start tapestry crochet part. Continue crocheting over 80 sts, by following Houndstooth chart below or written instructions. Make necessary color changes to shape the drawing, by working with one yarn while wrapping unused color in between the sts.
With MC bl sc 1, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3) rep ( ) 19 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 2= 80 sts

Rnd 4: (With MC bl sc 1, with CC bl sc 3) rep ( ) 20 times= 80 sts

Rnd 5: (With CC bl sc 3, with MC bl sc 1) rep ( ) 20 times= 80 sts

Rnd 6: With MC bl sc 2, (with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 3) rep ( ) 19 times, with CC bl sc 1, with MC bl sc 1= 80 sts

Rnd 7-26: Rep Rnds 3-6, 5 more times.
Cut CC leaving a 4”/ 10 cm tail.

Rnd 27: Bl sc 80= 80 sts

Rnd 28: Sl st 80= 80 sts
Sl st in next st. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Your Houndstooth Cowl is ready to wear and keep you cozy.

Try it with different colors, just make sure to have some contrast, for shapes to get that pretty effect. I will love to see your own cowl, so let me know if you’re working on it. Share with the hashtag #houndstoothcowl or tag me on my Instagram profile @chabepatterns and tell me more about it.

All written instructions, chart and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.