This cozy, easy crochet cowl pattern is a fast crochet project that is textured and creates a unique look! I named it the Cara Cowl is a fun and quick project. It makes a beautiful crochet piece that you will never want to take off!
How to Crochet a Cowl
Crochet cowls are always a go-to winter accessory because they fit a little snugger than crochet scarves and keep the chilly cold air out! A must for living in any cold climate! Learn a few basic steps on how to crochet an easy and beginner-friendly cowl pattern.
- Chain a given amount as stated in pattern
- Join to form a circle
- Continue following pattern joining at the end of each round.
- Fasten off and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle.
The Yarn That’s Perfect For This Cowl
I wanted to make sure I would stay warm, so I decided to use Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick, which is a super bulky #6 weight wool blend yarn in Oatmeal and really one of my all-time favorites!
Thick yarn is a must-have for designing any winter wear here in PA! Plus, I wanted to make sure this cowl was oversized and cozy so using Thick & Quick was a no-brainer!
Do you want to use a substitute yarn? Lion Brand Hometown works is a great alternative, and it doesn’t contain any wool if you are allergic.
The Crochet Stitches to Make a Cowl
When crocheting this cowl you will need to know a few basic crochet stitches. If you can single crochet, half double crochet as well as learning about working in back loop you will be good!
You will also need to know how to back post half double crochet which just means working around the post of the stitch instead of through the top.
Are you Ready To Crochet a Cowl?
You can keep on scrolling down for the free cowl pattern and I hope you have fun making this simple design.
Stay warm friends!
Easy Crochet Cara Cowl Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials
- Crochet hook 9.00 mm
- Yarn needle
- < 2 skeins of Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Oatmeal or 130 yards of any super bulky 6 yarn
Abbreviations
- SC = single crochet
- HDC = half double crochet
- FL = front loop
- BL = back loop
- BP HDC = back post half double crochet {yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around the specified post, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook}
- SL ST = slip stitch
- CH = chain
Notes
- Ravelry – Cara Cowl
- Spanish Version – Cara Cowl in Spanish
Gauge
- Gauge for ribbing- 3 ST’s for every 2″
- Gauge for the main part of the cowl- 3 ST’s for every 2″
Sizing
- Finished size – approximately a 32″ circumference & 11″ height
- Fits Teen – Adult Woman
Pattern Steps
Ribbing
(each row is approx. a 8.5″ length and .75″ high)
- ROW 1: CH 15
- ROW 2: starting in the 2nd CH from the hook SC, SC in each CH across, turn. (14)
- ROW 3-42: CH 1, SC in the BL of the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in the BL of every ST across, turn. (14)
- Do not fasten off after row 42.
Joining
Make sure the wrong side is facing out & hold together 2 short ends to join.
CH 1, join together through FL of the short side facing you through to the BL of the other short side, repeat across for a total of 14 times, turn right side out, do not fasten off.
(working in the round now…)
ROUND 1: CH 1, 44 SC evenly around long side, SL ST to top of first SC. (44)
ROUND 2: CH 1, starting in the first ST, SC, SC in next 21 ST’s, CH 2, SC in remaining 22 ST’s, SL ST to top of first SC. (46)
ROUND 3: CH 2, starting with the first ST, BP HDC, BP HDC around the next 21 ST’s, in CH 2 space from previous row {HDC, CH 2, HDC}, BP HDC in remaining 22 ST’s, SL ST to top of first BP HDC. (48)
ROUND 4: CH 2, starting in the first ST BP HDC, BP HDC around the next 22 ST’s, in CH 2 space from previous row {HDC, CH 2, HDC}, BP HDC in remaining 23 ST’s, SL ST to top of first BP HDC. (50)
Finishing
- Fasten off the yarn and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle.
To Wear
- Put over your head and fold down the top part of the cowl.
Do you want to make another simple crochet cowl?
Try the Easy Crochet reader favorite the double crochet cowl today!
I hope you enjoyed this easy crochet cowl pattern and as always, thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to stop over on Instagram to say Hi!
If you have any questions about this crochet pattern, feel free to email me or leave a comment.
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I love this pattern. It works up so quick and easy and it is beautiful. I made 2 of them in less than 8 hours.
Thanks, Lorraine!
I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have a great weekend and happy crocheting!
Krista
I’ve looked at a number of your patterns. I like that you use Lion Brand yarn in many of them because it is an easy-to-find yarn. In addition, it looks great in your patterns. I can’t wait to try some.
Thanks, Carla!
It is my favorite yarn company to use for sure!
Happy Crocheting!
Krista
Could you send me a picture of it laying down having hard time with the rounds
Love this pattern! I am fairly new to crocheting and found this pattern very easy to follow. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Bev! I am so glad you love it! Happy Crocheting! 🙂
Krista, what a talented and generous soul you are!
I have made 15 of these wonderful cowls. A couple are for gifts and the rest are donations to our local domestic violence shelter and the Red Cross emergency housing shelter. I am pairing this with Persia Lou’s 30 minute beanie for a super warm hat and cowl combo. I make a man’s by crocheting a few extra ribs and just a couple of hdc rows for the bottom.
Thank you so much for this warm and perfect pattern.
Hi Fran!
That is awesome that you are donating your work! I love the idea of a combination with Persia Lou’s design too! Her work is awesome! Thank you for sharing this! Have a great day!
Krista
I have made several cowls by this pattern. They turned out great and everyone loved them! Thanks for the pattern.
Hi Mary!
That is great to hear! I am so glad you like the pattern!!
Happy Crocheting!
Krista
After you replied regarding which side is the ‘wrong side’ I still don’t get it. What is the difference between the wrong and right side. They both look the same. Will it affect my scarf if I end up doing it incorrectly based on right and wrong side? I love this scarf. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi Joann,
The “right” side is the side that you started your scarf on. The “wrong” side is the other. Hope this helps! :0)
Hi Krista,
I love this pattern…..and my sister’s name is Cara!
I’ve worked the first 42 rows and am at the point of joining. I’m assuming that you work from right to left? Also, I’m not really clear on how, exactly, to join the two ends together. Do I slip stitch? single crochet?
Thanks for your help!
Sally
Hi, I am a intermediate crocheter and I get stuck on one part of the pattern, I finish the 42 rows and joining it together, but I can’t seem to do the rounds. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong but my stitches don’t add up and I’m not sure where to start my next round after chaining either the chain one or two. I have tried time after time to get it right but I just can’t. I also use a paper clip and a stitch marker for the rounds. I’m not sure if you can help me but I’m leaving this comment if there is a chance you can. Btw, I love this pattern and really want to Finish and make it look nice. Thank you.
-Brooklyn C
Hi Brooklyn,
After you join you just need to make sure you do 44 sc’s evenly along the long side of the cowl, then sl st to the top of the first SC not the sl st or the ch1, then ch 1 again and continue onto the next round. I changed the wording of the pattern and the beginning of each round to make it a little easier. Let me know if that helps.
Krista
Beautiful cowl. Thank you for the free pattern, I’ve just completed mine and it not only looks fab but simple and quick to make.
Loved this pattern and it is very easy to complete ! Do you have any “matching” patterns for gloves,penor headbands ?? Thanks for sharing your pattern….. 🙂
Hi Pennie,
I do not have any matching items right now but that would be a great idea for the future.
Krista
I completed this cowl in just a little over 2 hours. Turned out perfectly….. Used the wool suggested as well as the hook size. I’m a new crocheter and I found your pattern easy to follow. I just love it. Will make another tonight! Thanks
Thank you for the kind words Carolyn and I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
I’ve made 4 now! I’m outta control ! 😀
lol!! 🙂
Hi, first of all thanks for sharing this pattern. I really love it. Actually i thought about offering myself for the spanish translation, but then i saw that there is one already (which, in my humble opinion, is not very good).
I have made one cowl already and i am making another, but since the first one i have a doubt… before joining, you say “make sure wrong side is facing out” (which in the spanish translation says “lado equivocado”, which is literal, instead of “lado del revés” or simply “revés”, which is more appropriate for the context), and my doubt is: how do i know which side is the wrong side?
I can’t see major differences between sides, so i am not sure which one is the wrong side. How do you distinguish between both sides?
Thanks for reading and your answer n_n
By the way, in spanish, we name snails caracoles. Snail=caracol. And Cara Cowl sounds a little like caracol, which i think is wonderful since i love snails a lot!
Hi Miri,
The wrong side would be the opposite side you started your initial ch 15 on. Should I get a new pattern written for the Spanish translation? I wish I could understand the Spanish language a little better. One a side note I didn’t know that caracol means snail.. That is so cute!! : )
Hi, one question: how are you getting 15 chains to measure 8.5 inches? I went up a hook size and crocheted looser than I already do, and could only get it to measure at 7. I got it to get to the correct length once I chained 23. Is it supposed to measure 8.5 inches? Just needed some clarification. Thanks! (Apologies if this is a duplicate comment, it didn’t seem to show up on my phone the first time)
Hi Dara,
Are you using the Thick and Quick Yarn? It would make a little bit of difference it was a different brand of yarn. I do tend to crochet loosely so I would suggest that you go up another hook size and see if that helps 🙂
Hi I am not even remotely close to 18.5 inches. With the hook size and thick and quick yarn I come to about 7.5. Not sure what to do …
Hi Angela,
Each row should be approx 8.5 ” in length not 18.5″. Hope this helps!
Krista
sorry that was a typo – I chained a little looser to reach 8/8.5 …. seems to look better… so if ur having troubles reaching 8.5 just chain a little looser.. im a tight chainer thank you … cant wait to wear this
Thank you Krista for sharing! I love this pattern! I was recently given some great yarn that will be perfect for this pattern! I’m so glad you like to design!!!
You are welcome Rosalie! I am glad you love it! 🙂
The cowl is really beautiful on, but it’s hard to visualize the instructions with the finished product. Being annoyingly demanding here, but do you have a photo of the cowl laid flat so we can better match the instructions with the finished product? It really helps as I’m working to know that what I’m creating really does look like it’s supposed to. Thank you so much for this wonderful (and unique) pattern!
I do have a flat picture once its all joined but I’ll post and see if that helps! 🙂
Did you post a picture of this? I am also interested in seeing how this is joined together as I am somewhat a beginner at crochet. Thank you so much for any pictorials you post!
Hi Kris. Not yet. It is on my to do list though! 🙂
I really like them design of this cowl!!! Thank you so much for them pattern!
Thank you Darlene and you are welcome!