Ever grow tired of your kids being cold because a draft runs down the top of their coat? But do you also struggle with traditional scarves that get wrapped too tightly, or slide off because they weren’t placed properly as your kids go off and play? This was the thought behind the Recess Cowl: easy slide on scarf, soft yarn to snuggle up around them, and can even be used as a pop of color for fall family photos.
I’ll be selling these beauties at the upcoming Zeeland Fall Peddlers’ Market this Saturday, but you can definitely make your own out of your own stash of yarn!
Buy one fresh from me (soon to be listed on Etsy, too), or make your own, and be sure to upload to Ravelry so I can see your finished work! Enjoy the free pattern below!
THE RECESS COWL
Materials
- Worsted Weight Yarn (two strands at once!)
- Crochet Hook Size 12.0mm
- Darning Needle (for weaving in ends)
Abbreviations
- r = row
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- *instructions* = repeat around
Directions
R1: Using two strands of yarn at once, ch 36, join last ch to first ch with a slip st, then hdc in each ch around, sl st to join (36).
R2 – R11: ch 2, dc in ea stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (36).
R12: ch 1, hdc in ea stitch around, sl st to first hdc to join (36). Finish and weave in ends.
Color Options
You can go for a bold look with just one yarn color, or I have had a lot of fun experimenting with am ombre look by transitioning one strand of yarn before switching fully to two strands of the next color. I highly recommend transitioning your colors by using the Russian Join technique, though you’ll have to work on when the color switches to line it up with the start of your row! Here is how I have structured the color changes, depending on how many colors I want to use….
3 Colors
- R1, R2, R3: Color #1 (2 strands)
- R4: Color #1 & #2
- R5, R6, R7, R8: Color #2 (2 strands)
- R9: Color #2 & #3
- R10, R11, R12: Color #3 (2 strands)
4 Colors
- R1, R2, R3: Color #1 (2 strands)
- R4: Color #1 & #2
- R5, R6: Color #2 (2 strands)
- R7: Color #2 & #3
- R8, R9: Color #3 (2 strands)
- R10: Color #3 & #4
- R11, R12: Color #4 (2 strands)
5 Colors
- R1, R2: Color #1 (2 strands)
- R3: Color #1 & #2
- R4: Color #2 (2 strands)
- R5: Color #2 & #3
- R6, R7: Color #3 (2 strands)
- R18: Color #3 & #4
- R9: Color #4 (2 strands)
- R10: Color #4 & #5
- R11, R12: Color #5 (2 strands)
Permission to Use this Pattern
You may use this pattern for personal or commercial use, but please reference this website as its creator and link back to this pattern page. The pattern (including any photos associated with it) may not be reproduced or posted elsewhere in any capacity. Thank you!
This has been a cozy way to keep my kids warm on the playground, as well as great way to use up skeins of yarn leftover in my stash. Think of the options once you have multiple colors to use! I even made some extras to give to the school office in case other kids forget their gear or need something super soft to keep for playing outside at recess.
I would love to see your finished work and the color combinations you’ve used!
~M
