The Cross Country Cowl: A Free Chunky Crochet Cowl Pattern

There are certain projects that exist entirely because of a moment of need. The Cross Country Cowl is one of them. I made it after standing in a blustery park one Tuesday morning, watching my daughter compete in a cross country race, and coming to the firm conclusion that I needed something far warmer around my neck. It was that specific kind of cold – not deep winter, but the relentless, draughty kind that works its way in through every gap. The cowl I ended up designing solved the problem completely.

It is also, as it turns out, an excellent use for small amounts of DK yarn.

The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry.

Where the Idea Came From

The brief I gave myself was simple: warm, quick, and interesting enough to hold my attention. I wanted a cowl with real body to it – not a thin loop of fabric that shifts around, but something substantial that actually stays put and keeps the cold out.

Working two strands of DK yarn together was the obvious solution for the weight. Two strands of DK held together gives a similar thickness to chunky or bulky yarn, but you can use what you already have in your stash. And since you only need modest amounts of each colour – roughly 40g of a main colour and around 20g each of two contrast colours – it is a really practical stash-busting project.

The half-double crochet worked through the back loop only (hdcBLO in US terms; htrBLO in UK terms) was the stitch choice for texture. Working into the back loop only creates a raised horizontal ridge with each row, giving the cowl its ribbed appearance and a pleasingly squishy feel. It is one of those techniques that looks more involved than it is and once you have the rhythm, it moves along quickly.

The Colour System

The design I am most pleased with uses three colours: a neutral grey as the constant, with cream for one half and teal for the other. The key to how this works is that one colour – in this case the grey – runs as one of the two strands throughout the entire cowl. The other strand changes at the halfway point, swapping from cream to teal (or whichever two contrast colours you choose). This gives the cowl a sense of continuity across both halves while still creating two clearly different sections.

The result is a cowl that is two-toned but not abrupt about it. The shared base colour ties the whole thing together.

I also made a version in maroon, navy and teal, which takes the same logic in a slightly bolder direction. Any three colours that share enough contrast with each other will work well. If you are using up leftovers, this is a forgiving pattern for experimenting – the amounts are small enough that it is not a significant commitment.

Because the two halves look different, the cowl can be worn either way up. You can turn it over on a whim depending on what you are wearing. I tend to fold the top rim over, which adds another layer of warmth and changes the proportions slightly – but worn flat works just as well.

Pattern Details

• Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 295m/322yds per 100g ball) – or any DK yarn, worked with two strands held together throughout.
• Yarn quantities: approximately 40g of main colour (grey), 20g of first contrast (cream), 20g of second contrast (teal)
• Total yardage: approximately 262 yards / 240 metres
• Hook size: 7mm
• Finished size: 15cm high (without the rim turned over) x 60cm circumference – fits an adult or older child
• Construction: worked in the round
• Skill level: competent beginner
• Terminology: UK (with US conversion table included in the pattern)
• What’s included: full written instructions, US/UK conversion table

A Note on Yarn Choice

Stylecraft Special DK is the yarn I used for this cowl, and it suits the project well – it has good stitch definition, comes in a wide range of colours, and the acrylic fibre means the finished cowl is machine washable. You can find it via my affiliate link at LoveCrafts.

That said, any DK yarn will work here. Because you are holding two strands together, the stitch definition is less critical than it would be for tapestry colourwork, for example. What matters more is that the yarn feels good to wear. A softer blend (wool-acrylic, alpaca-blend, or merino-mix DK) would make the cowl noticeably cosier against the skin, if you have something like that in your stash.

The small quantities required – roughly 80g total across three colours – make this an ideal project for leftover DK from other projects. If you are looking for more ideas along those lines, I have two posts with further stash-busting ideas: 7 stash-busting DK blanket patterns and 5 crochet stash-busting projects.

If You Are New to BLO Stitches

Working into the back loop only is a simple variation on a standard stitch. Instead of inserting the hook under both loops at the top of the stitch, you insert it under the back loop only. It takes one or two rows to get used to, but becomes straightforward quickly. The resulting fabric has a distinctly different texture to standard hdc: firmer, more structured, with those horizontal ridges that give this cowl its ribbed look.

If you enjoy textured crochet, you might also enjoy exploring the patterns in my Quick Stitches stitch library, which covers a range of stitches, including several textured ones, suited to blankets and larger projects.

Get the Pattern

The Cross Country Cowl is a free pattern, available to download on Ravelry.

More Patterns to Explore

If you enjoyed this cowl, you might like to browse my other accessory patterns – including hats, shawls, and more. There are also several other free patterns on the site if you are looking for your next project without committing to a purchase.

Join the Email List

If you would like to receive new free patterns, tutorials, and crochet updates, you are welcome to join my email list. You will also receive two free tapestry crochet patterns when you sign up – a useful introduction to the technique if you are new to it, or a welcome addition to your project queue if you are not.

About Catherine

Catherine is a crochet designer and teacher based in Surrey, UK, specialising in crochet blankets and accessories, with a particular love of tapestry crochet and colourwork. Her designs have been published in crochet magazines, and she is a contributor to the book 100 Crochet Tiles. She has also designed for Sirdar and WeCrochet. You can find her full pattern collection on Etsy and Ravelry, and her tutorials on YouTube.