The Crossroads Cowl

For when you want to stay warm and show off your style, too, the Crossroads Cowl is a fantastic choice. Loaded with texture that is simpler to crochet than it looks, this free crochet cowl pattern is a fantastic accessory for fall or spring weather.

This image shows the free crochet cowl pattern sample laid flat on a fluffy white background with pine branches and pine cones peaking in.

This free crochet cowl pattern features two of my favorite easy textured stitches: The Crossed Double Crochet and working in the 3rd Loop Only of half double crochets (or sometimes known as the Camel Stitch). With a simple repeat of rows, you can easily customize this pattern to be perfect for you.

This crochet cowl is a great spring or fall accessory!

The Crossroads Cowl is great accessory to help keep you warm without being too warm as winter transitions to spring or summer transitions to fall.

With slightly open texture from the crossed double crochets, this free crochet cowl pattern has the ability to allow some airflow to keep from getting too warm.

The thicker texture from working in the 3rd Loop Only of the half double crochets help keep the warmth in.

Paired together, these two stitches create a punch of personality with a practical accessory!

While I think this is the perfect spring or fall accessory, that doesn’t mean it’s not a great choice for winter layering, too. You certainly could layer it in the winter or even customize it to be a double wrap infinity scarf easily! Additionally, you can work the repeat rows as long as you prefer to in order to achieve your desired width for maximum cozy.

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This image shows the free crochet cowl pattern sample made in red, laid flat on a wooden background.

The texture in this free crochet cowl pattern looks fantastic in almost any type of yarn. I originally made the pattern in Lion Brand’s Basic Stitch (colorway Pomegranate) as seen above and it has a classic, clean look.

I also made one with Loops and Threads Impeccable Tweed (colorway Camo, first picture) that has a more rugged, forest-y look. I absolutely love them both!

Where to Get this Free Crochet Cowl Pattern

The Crossroads Cowl is a free crochet cowl pattern in this blog post. Scroll down to view the free version.

However, if you’d like a more robust pattern with a photo tutorial, the steps for the photo tutorial written out in full sentences and a printer friendly version of the PDF, I recommend you purchase the PDF pattern.

With the PDF pattern, you will receive a detailed photo tutorial for the first few rows which will set you up to work this crochet cowl pattern with confidence. The photos include highlighted stitches and details with arrows or dots, when necessary.

SKILL LEVEL

Advanced Beginner – This free crochet cowl pattern uses stitches that should be accessible to most advanced beginners. These stitches include chains, single crochet and double crochet.

There are a few slightly more advanced techniques: Creating a large circle of chains to work in the round, the Crossed Double Crochet (which is easier than it sounds!) and working in the 3rd Loop Only.

If you don’t have prior knowledge of these stitches, that’s okay! I explain them in detail below.

MATERIALS

Medium (4) weight cotton yarn of your choice. You will need approximately 2.5 ounces / 70 grams / 156 yards

YARN USED

Loops and Threads Impeccable in colorway Camo Tweed.

TOOLS

5 mm (H-8) hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers, if you prefer them.

GAUGE

14 hdc sts x 11 rows = Approximately 4 inches x 4 inches.

Note: I am a tight crocheter, so my tension is usually tighter than others. Learn more about gauge and what this means here.

FINISHED SIZE

Height: Approximately 5.5 inches
Circumference (folded in half): Approximately 14 inches
Circumference (around): Approximately 28 inches

The size of this cowl is fairly easy to customize. You can create a longer cowl and turn it into an infinity scarf by doubling the amount of starting chains. You can make this cowl as wide as you prefer by repeating the repeat rows as many times as you like.

ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

  • Ch(s) – Chain(s)
  • Sl st – Slip stitch
  • Sc – Single crochet
  • Hdc – Half double crochet
  • Dc – Double crochet
  • St – Stitch
  • Cdc – Crossed Double Crochet*
  • 3LO – Work stitch in the 3rd loop of half double crochet only*
  • * – See Special Stitches

NOTES

  • Chain 1 does not count as a stitch. 
  • Chain 3 counts as a double crochet.
  • Some rounds are created completely using Crossed Double Crochet. Please review the Special Stitch – Crossed Double Crochet Note before starting.
  • This cowl is worked completely in closed rounds. You will slip stitch to close the round as indicated by each Rounds instructions.
  • Your seam will appear to be moving back one stitch because the crossed double crochet rounds move the round backward one stitch. This is fine and will not ruin the pattern.
  • The photo tutorial will walk you through the Rounds 1 through 5, before the repeat begins. Please refer to the photo tutorial if you need any help.
  • (…) – Stitch counts are listed at the end of the row in parentheses and bold italics.
  • .

Special Stitch – Crossed Double Crochet (cdc)

The Crossed Double Crochet (or cdc) is made up of 2 double crochet. It’s easier than it sounds! Anytime you see this pattern instruct to work a cdc, you will:To work a Crossed Double Crochet, you will: Skip 1 stitch and place 1 double crochet in the next. Then, when your first double crochet is complete, go back and place a double crochet in the skipped stitch. Nothing fancy here. Simply insert your hook into the stitch as you would a normal double crochet and complete the stitch.

To begin a new row using CDC’s, you will: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet) and place 1 double crochet in the last stitch of the previous round.

I do have a YouTube tutorial for working Crossed Double Crochet – This tutorial is to work it in rows, but the premise is the same.

Special Technique3rd Loop Only (3LO)

The half double crochet has a “3rd loop” which is created by the yarn over before inserting your hook into your stitch. This 3rd loop shows on the wrong side of the work when working in the round. To work a “hdc3lo” or half double crochet in the 3rd loop only, you will ignore the top of the half double crochet, and instead look behind the work to find the 3rd loop. 

Crossroads Cowl – Free Pattern

Chain 100. Being careful not to twist your chains, slip stitch to the first chain made to form a circle.

Round 1 – Ch 1 (does not count as stitch here or throughout), place 1 hdc in each chain around. Sl st to first hdc to close. (100)

Round 2 – Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), place 1 dc in last st created of previous round. Place 49 cdc to end of round. Sl st to 2nd ch of ch 3 to close. (100)

Round 3 – Ch 1, place 1 hdc in each st around. Sl st to first hdc to close. (100)

Round 4 – Ch 1, place 1 hdc 3LO each st around. Sl st to first hdc to close. (100)

Round 5 – Ch 1, place 1 sc 3LO each st around. Sl st to first sc to close. (100)

Rounds 6 through Round 14 – Repeat Round 2 through Round 5 in sequence. Round 14 will be a repeat of Round 2.

Round 15 – Ch 1, place 1 hdc in each st around. Sl st to first hdc to close. (100)

Pattern Repeat Row by Row:

Round 6 – Repeat Round 2

Round 7 – Repeat Round 3

Round 8 – Repeat Round 4

Round 9 – Repeat Round 5

Round 10 – Repeat Round 2

Round 11 – Repeat Round 3

Round 12 – Repeat Round 4

Round 13 – Repeat Round 5

Round 14 – Repeat Round 2

Finish off yarn, weave ends. You’re all done!

Note: Customize the width by repeating Rounds 2 through 5 for as long as you prefer. Make sure to end on a repeat of Round 2 and then work Round 15.

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That’s it for this free crochet cowl pattern! Isn’t the texture lovely? I hope you love crocheting the Crossroads Cowl!

One of my greatest joys is seeing your finished crochet projects from my patterns or tutorials, so when you post to Instagram, don’t forget to tag me so I can show you some love! I’m @theloopholefoxcrochet. You can also share pictures on my recent posts on Facebook or within my Facebook group!

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Shannon | Designer & Editor

Shannon helps crocheters find their next project and build their skills with in depth tutorials and crochet patterns on her blog, theloopholefox.com.

With more than a decade of crochet experience, Shannon knows that understanding why we do something matters just as much as how we do it. She teaches new techniques and crochet stitches in depth so you can crochet with confidence.

If you loved this free cowl pattern, why not check out some of my Crochet Scarf and Cowl Patterns?

The Color Block Super Scarf is massive, cozy and also super easy to crochet!
The Simplicity Hooded Scarf is an easy, beginner friendly scarf that has a hood and is also made completely with half double crochets!
If you love ribbed scarves and crochet that looks like knitting, you’ll love the Jesse Scarf!
The Aspen Infinity Scarf has simple to create yet absolutely lovely diagonal ribbing.



2 Comments

  1. I love this yarn & the color is wonderful to move into spring! I bet it gives such a glow I could get away without makeup. I’m definitely to add pomegranate to my grocery list. This pattern is another win Shannon, yay!

    1. I really enjoy working with Lion Brand’s Basic Stitch. It has great stitch definition. The red isn’t a color I would normally choose, but I love the finished product.

      Thank you so much for your kind comments, you humble me! Thank you, Nora.

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