Between the thorns: Free collared crochet cowl pattern

Between the thorns is a practical cowl pattern that’s made using a fun crochet technique which creates an interlocking two-colour crochet fabric.

With a split join, it has a collar type fold which can be worn multiple ways; double it over, show off the collar or tuck it under a jacket.

However you style it, this is a super practical cozy crochet accessory. It’s also easy to adjust, allowing it to be simply adapted to different yarn weights and fibres.

You can purchase the PDF version of this crochet pattern from Etsy or Ravelry.

Read on for the finished ad-supported, zero-cost version.

A crochet cowl with a split along one hem is worn folded over with the vertical stripes worn on a slight diagonal. The crochet stitches, made with charcoal and cream yarn interlock to create a kind of spiked zig zag stripe.

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A crochet cowl is laid flat on a wooden surface with the corner of the collar folded over. The neck-warmer is made with two colour of yarn to make a vertical stripe pattern.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list where applicable)
Numbers at the end of a row indicate the number of stitches in that row
Turning chains do not count as stitches

Construction

The cowl is worked flat, in rows, to create a rectangular piece of fabric – learn about cowl construction here
The length of the row represents the depth of the cowl and the number of rows represent the circumference.
On the last row of the pattern you will work the border and join the two ends to seam the cowl together (joining schematic included in pattern)

A portrait image of a white head and shoulder mannequin adorned with a brown and natural cream stripy crochet cowl which is worn doubled over with a visible seam along one side.

Skills Used

I would say this is an experienced beginner to intermediate level pattern which uses the following skills:

Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
This pattern involves working between the posts of stitches rather than into the top
It’s helpful if you have a good understanding of crochet stitch anatomy (tutorial here), but I created a tutorial showing how to crochet between the posts of various stitches.
Find the video chapter for working between the posts of extended single crochet here (left handed version here)
You will change colours every 2 rows and carry the yarn up the sides
You will work into row-ends when making the border and use slip stitches to join the ends

A close up of the stitches in a folded over crochet cowl draped around the base of a mannequin. The stripes are made in pewter and cream yarn with the stitches interlocking between the posts.

Materials

Crochet Hook

You will need a 4.5mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge. I used my clover amour hook.

Note that for the technique used in this pattern, I used a slightly larger crochet hook than is traditional for the yarn weight.

Yarn Requirements

You will need a total of 350m of 4ply / fingering weight yarn – 175m of each of the two colours.

The item pictured used two 50g skeins of The Border Mill Alpaca Rose yarn, one in each of two colours. 50% Alpaca, 50% Rose fibres. 50g ball =175m

Yarn A: Pewter
Yarn B: Electrum

Yarn Substitution Options

I have used a rather unusual yarn blend for the sample. If you want to achieve a similar drape and sheen, I would recommend substituting the Rose element with a bamboo, viscose, lyocell or silk to give it that lovely sheen and drape.

The pattern will work with most fibres, but I would recommend a wool or alpaca blend. A super-wash merino with a low twist would look great I think. The alpaca has a nice halo which will make a lovely cosy accessory. A smoother yarn would have increased stitch definition. As with most cold weather accessories, I would avoid using cotton.

Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result. You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure

You may wish to block this project, in which case I recommend a Blocking board and pins. Learn more about blocking here.

A sample of the ‘between the thorns’ crochet cowl lies flat on a wooden surface with one corner turned down. The cowl has vertical jagged stripes where the crochet stitches are made between the posts, in cream and charcoal brown contrasting yarns.

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Measurements & Finished Size

The finished cowl measures 48cm in circumference and 30cm deep after soak blocking. The depth was unchanged with blocking but the circumference increased by about 4cm.

How to adjust the size

Should you wish to adjust the size of the cowl, weather to accommodate a different weight yarn, a difference in gauge or your personal preference, you can do so as follows:

To adjust the depth, change the length of the foundation row; a longer row will make a deeper cowl and vice versa for a shorter row.
To change the circumference of the cowl, change the number of rows crocheted. Keep going with the pattern repeat until the panel reaches your desired length (which translates to the circumference).
To change the depth of the collar fold, change the number of stitches you join the ends for. For no fold, join all the way along.

A close up of the crochet stitch pattern used in the between the thorns crochet cowl. You can see dark grey brown yarn contrasted with a champagne cream colour which highlights how the stitches are crocheted between the posts.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

ch = chain
esc = extended single crochet (see special stitches)
rep = repeat
RS = right side
sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
sp = space
ss = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
yo = yarn over

Special Stitches

Extended Single Crochet (esc)

Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through one loop (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through two loops to complete the stitch.

You can find a full tutorial for the extended single crochet stitch here

Pattern Repeat

In this pattern, you will work between the posts of the stitches in extended single crochets.

You can find a vide tutorial for this technique at the links below and a written and photo tutorial here.

A landscape invade of a double layer crochet cowl. The join is only made 2/3 the way up the short side, allowing the top to fold over and split to create a type of collar for a more practical fit.

Gauge

17 sts and 20 rows in 10cm of extended single crochet worked between the posts (after blocking) using a 4.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Note that the stitch gauge was unchanged by blocking but my pre-blocked row gauge was 22 rows in 10cm so this changed quite a bit.

Variation in your gauge will lead to variations in the finished size of your project.

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

A close up of the ‘between the thorns’ crochet cowl on a mannequin with the crochet stitches showing the detail of the join.

Purchase the ad-free printable PDF of this crochet pattern from Ravelry or Etsy

Between the Thorns Cowl Pattern

Main Body of Cowl

Using Yarn A

Row 1(RS): Ch52, 1esc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch to end, turn. 50 sts

Row 2: Ch2 (does not count as st throughout), starting between the posts of the first and second st, make 1esc between the posts of each st to end, making last st into sp between the ch2 and post of first st of the previous row, turn. 50 sts

Join Yarn B, drop Yarn A

Rows 3-4: Rep Row 2

Drop Yarn B, pick up Yarn A

Rows 5-6: Rep Row 2

Drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B

Rows 7-94: Rep Rows 3-6 (ending on a second Yarn A row)

Fasten off Yarn B, pick up Yarn A.

Continue to border and joining without fastening off Yarn A

You may wish to block your work before joining as this will give you a better idea of the finished size.

A crochet cowl is doubled over and hung around the neck of a mannequin. It gas jagged vertical stripes where they colours overlap and an intentional seam where the two sides are joined.

Border and Joining

In the last row, you will work a border around the rectangle then join the two ends to create the cowl. The right-handed joining schematic below accompanies the written instructions and is immediately followed by a similar schematic for left-handed crocheters (the right handed is worked anti-clockwise and the left handed is clockwise)

A schematic diagram showing the construction of the 'between the thorns' crochet cowl pattern for right handed crocheters.

A simple schematic diagram showing the construction of the 'between the thorns' crochet cowl pattern for left-handed crocheters.

Border Row (RS):

With RS facing, make 3sc into the top of the first st, then make 1esc between the posts of each st to end, as in Row 2 (do not turn at the end of the row). You have just worked along side C of the joining schematic
Turn 90 degrees to work into row-ends along side D
With RS still facing, make 3sc into the side of the ch2 as the first row-end
Work 1sc into each row-end to the end of side D
Make 3sc into the last row-end
Rep Row 2 along the back side of the foundation row (side A), over the ch from Row 1 and between the posts as you have done for the majority of the pattern
Work 3sc into the top of the ch2 at the start of the foundation row
Turn 90 degrees to work into row-ends of side B
Work 1sc into each row-end along side B to the end
Ss into the top of the first st to make a round

You are now ready to join the two ends – Sides C and A

A crochet cowl made with vertical stripes is laid on a flat wooden surface. The top of the cowl is folded over with the bottom split collar poking out looking almost like a bow. The stripes are made with contrasting cream and dark brown yarn.

Joining Row (RS):

Ch1 (does not count as a st), matching stitch to stitch, ss together sides A and C for 32 sts (including the second two of the three sc made on the corners of the border round)
Leave the remaining sts of sides A and C unjoined as this is where the open collar will fold down

Fasten off, block if you’ve not already done so and sew in ends to finish your cowl

A brown and cream crochet cowl worked in vertical stripes with the top folded over to create a collar.

How to find me and share your finished makes

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Happy Hooking

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Between the thorns: Free collared crochet cowl pattern