Abbreviations

ch – chain   cm – centimetre   dbl ss – double slip stitch   dc – double crochet (US single crochet)   ea – each  g – gram   m – metre    pm – place marker   rep – repeat  rnd(s) – rounds   RS – right side   st(s) – stitch(es)   starting dc – starting double crochet (US starting single crochet)   wc – waistcoat stitch   WS – wrong side  yds – yards  yrh – yarn around hook  “ – inches 

Special Stitches

Waistcoat stitch: Same as a double crochet, but the initial hook placement is through V at front of stitch, rather than under front and back loops on the top of the stitch. 

Starting double crochet (starting dc): Extend loop a little and make a dc (this counts as your first stitch).

Double slip stitch (dbl ss): Insert hook into first st, yrh and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yrh, pull up a loop and pull through initial 2 loops. Next dbl ss is started in st just used. Rep to end of row.

Pattern Notes

Colour changes: These are always made at final yrh of st before new colour is required.

Colour-work crochet:The Colour-work Chart shows which colours go where within each round. To avoid long floats of unworked yarn during the colour-work section, the non-working yarn should be trapped down every 3^rd or 4^th stitch that it goes unused. For instance, if Yarn B is to be carried as a float over 7 sts, trap it down on the 4^th stitch:
Insert your hook as instructed in waistcoat stitch, lay non-working yarn (the one being trapped/carried behind) over hook, yrh with working yarn and pull up a loop (ensure that non-working yarn has been trapped down at the back and has not been pulled through to the front), yrh, pull through both loops.

Invisible join: cut yarn leaving a 10cm/ 4″ tail, fasten off and thread through tapestry needle. Skip first st of rnd and place needle from front to back through both loops of 2nd st, pull yarn so it sits on top of front loop of skipped st. Place needle from front to back through back loop of last st of rnd, pull yarn so it sits on top of back loop of skipped st. The sewn join should match the tension of the two sts either side. Flip to WS and weave in end, sewing in same direction of your crocheted rnds to keep tension on the join.

Winter Blooms Colour-work Chart

Click here to download a PDF of the Winter Blooms Colour-work Chart.

Pattern

With smaller hook and Yarn A, 100 (120) ch, keeping chains evenly sized and a little loose.

Rnd 1 (RS): Being careful not to twist chain, starting dc in back bump of first ch to join to work in the rnd, pm (move up ea rnd), 1dc in back bump of ea ch to end. 100 (120) sts

Rnds 2-3: Waistcoat st to end, changing to Yarn B on final yrh of last st of Rnd 3.  

Rnds 4-14: Change to larger hook, waistcoat st to end, changing colours according to Colour-work Chart.

Rnds 15-16: Change to smaller hook, waistcoat st to end with Yarn C.

Rnds 17-32: Change to larger hook, waistcoat st to end, changing colours according to Colour-work Chart.

Rnds 33-34: Change to smaller hook, waistcoat st to end with Yarn C.

Rnds 35-45: Change to larger hook, waistcoat st to end, changing colours according to Colour-work Chart.

Rnds 46-48: Change to smaller hook, waistcoat st to end with Yarn A.  Yarns B and C can be cut leaving a 10cm/ 4” tail for weaving in.  Do not cut Yarn A.

Cowl Top Border

Border Row 1 (RS): Continuing with Yarn A, 1 starting dc, dc to end, turn.

Border Row 2 (WS): Dbl ss to end, 1 dbl ss (over final st and first dbl ss of row to join), cut yarn and use invisible join method to make a neat finish. Weave in end, sewing up gap that formed in Border Row 1. 

Cowl Bottom Border

With RS still facing out, turn your cowl 180 degrees to add a border to the bottom of the cowl, crocheting into the foundation chains.

Border Row 3 (RS): With Yarn A, place slipknot on hook, 1 starting dc into any foundation chain (you should easily see a front loop and back loop to place your hook through), pm, dc to end, turn.

Border Row 4 (WS): Rep Border Row 2.

Finishing

If you want to, wet block your cowl before weaving in remaining ends and wearing.