Chaucer Twist – The Super Chunky One Hour Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern
The Chaucer Twist Crochet Cowl pattern is a quick crochet neck warmer design which can be crocheted up in around an hour.
The free pattern (also available to purchase as an ad-free pdf) uses simple crochet stitches and super bulky yarn with a literal and metaphorical stitch.
This easy crochet pattern is suitable for those with basic crochet skills who want to add a unique feature to their next crochet project.
Purchase the PDF version of this pattern from Etsy or Ravelry
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I’ve recently been revisiting some of the accessories I designed before I started publishing crochet patterns. That sounds grand, but basically I looked at those perennial crochet items I pull out year after year. The things that are so much part of the furniture that I kinda forgot I designed them!
On a recent visit to see a very old friend, I was wearing one such cowl. She asked me if I would make her one. So I took off the one I was wearing and gave it to her… kind of in lieu of making her another (like a guarantee I would get round to it!). This would become the Chaucer Twist cowl you see here.
Funnily enough, this cowl was originally created from a mistake. I was working in the round and realised that I had accidentally twisted my starting row. But I decided to go with it and loved how warm and cosy the resulting twisted, layered fabric was.
I now know that this infinity type shape is known as a möbius strip and is often used in larger crochet shawls, so I guess that means this is a mobius cowl.
Ironically when I came to remake the cowl For my friend and to write the pattern, I kinda had a tough time recreating my original mistake. But I got there in the end and my friend loved it. The name is inspired by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer for various reasons. One of which relates to a silly saying from our school days – some in-jokes with your oldest friends never die!
Anyway, here is half of her face modelling it for me in a famous Cambridge Cafe. She kept the original one too!
It’s a super fast one hour pattern so I hope you enjoy it!
Skills Used
- Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
- Chainless foundation stitches
- Working in turned rounds
- Working into chain spaces
Materials
12mm Crochet Hook
Yarn: I used about 80m / 120g of Wool Couture Cheeky Chunky Merino Yarn in Baby Pink, but a similar Super Chunky Yarn will work for this project.
You may find this post helpful when choosing your yarn.
Gauge
The scarf you see was made with the following tension;
9 sts and 8 rows of Moss stitch in 10cm using an 12mm hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Note that if you can’t meet gauge, you can increase the number of stitches in your starting round to accommodate, ensuring you have an even number of stitches. Your starting round should fit easily over your head with plenty of room to spare.
You can see more guidance on various adjustments in the notes that follow, so do refer to this if you want a different size, are working with a different gauge or different yarn and hook combination.
Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here.
Finished size
The finished cowl you see here measures around 25cm / 10in tall and 55cm / 22in in circumference. It is a real neck-warmer, so it’s designed to be a snug fit. But it should never be uncomfortably tight so do use the adjustment guidance to get the right fit for you.
If you prefer a looser fit, more relaxed cowl, or you are using a different yarn, you can just increase the starting round to suit, ensuring you have an even number of foundation single crochet.
The more rounds you work, the smaller the circumference will get due to the twist, so do make sure you accommodate this when starting.
See adjustment section for details.
Pattern Notes
- Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
- This pattern uses US crochet terms (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
- Numbers at the end of a round indicate the number of stitches in that round (your stitch count should remain constant throughout)
- Chain 2 turning chain counts as 1 single crochet (UK double crochet) and one chain space
- Chain spaces are included in the stitch count
- Instructions written after *asterisks should be repeated as indicated
Stitches and Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- fsc = foundation single crochet (UK foundation double crochet) click here to learn about foundation rows
- sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
- sk = skip
- sp = space (ch-sp used for chain space)
- ss = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitches
- yo = yarn over
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.
Adjustments to size
If you are making your cowl with a different yarn or wish to make a larger size, you can increase the number of stitches in your starting round. This design is meant to be fairly cosy so make sure your first round fits easily over your head with plenty room too spare as the twist will tighten it up with each round worked.
Make sure you always have an even number of stitches in your first round!
If you want to make taller or shorter cowl, work more or fewer Round 3 repeats. Note that the more rounds you add the tighter the cowl will be, because of the twist, so make sure you increase the length of your starting round to accommodate this.
Disclaimer
Information given on this website and in associated crochet patterns and products for reference only. Any reliance on information given on this page, website and associated reference materials is at your own risk. Please read the terms of service.
You can purchase the PDF version of this pattern from Etsy or Ravelry or read on for the free version of the pattern.
The Chaucer Twist Crochet Cowl Pattern
Round 1: Make 42fsc, then, before joining to make a round, turn the end of your row over once and then ss to top of first st, turn. 42 sts
Before you continue, check that you have just introduced a single twist into the loop.
Round 2: Ch2 (counts as 1sc, ch1 throughout), ensuring you don’t count the ss used to join the round, sk one st, *1sc in next st, ch1, sk one st; rep from * to end, ss to the starting ch2, turn
Round 3: Ss into last ch1-sp from the previous round, ch2, sk first sc, *1sc in next ch1-sp, ch1, sk one sc; rep from * to end, ss to starting ch2, turn
Rounds 4 – 19: As Round 3
Your stitch count should remain constant throughout, if you are losing or gaining stitches, I recommend popping a stitch marker in the starting ch2 so that you know where to place the ss at the end of each round.
As you work you may have to start twisting the cowl to accommodate the twist. This is normal.
Round 20 / Final round: Ch1, starting in the ss used to join the last round, 1sc in each st (ch1-sp and sc) to end, ss to top of first st. 42 sts
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Sometimes I find it easier to use a small crochet hook instead of a needle to weave in the ends when working with super chunky yarns.
I hope you enjoy this pattern, and as always, don’t forget to tag me in your finished makes! Nothing makes me happier than seeing my designs brought to life by others. I love the colour choices and personal touches you add to the patterns!
On Instagram, you can use the hashtags #ChaucerTwist #HookMeHappy or just tag @doraexplored. If Facebook is more your thing, you are welcome to share snaps of your work on the Dora Does Facebook page. It really does make my day!
I’m also a huge fan of Pinterest so if you like my patterns I’d love it if you pin them, or visit my Pinterest page which showcases some wonderful inspirational crochet patterns – the talent out there blows my mind!
Happy hooking
Dx
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