1 hour crochet cowl: “Violet Drift” pattern

Looking for a quick crochet project that you’ll want to wear all winter long? Enter the 1-hour crochet cowl! This project works up so fast – takes an hour or less and is functional (so warm and cozy) and super gorgeous and soft! Grab a small stash of yarn and get ready to crochet yourself a scarf!

I had this Caron x Pantone yarn that I bought years ago, and unfortunately it’s been discontinued. So I knew I had to make a small project as I couldn’t buy more. Surprisingly, I even had quite a bit of yarn leftover.

While chunky crochet scarves are cozy and warm, it can be tricky to wear one under a winter coat when you’re bundled up. It makes it hard to zipper your jacket, and you feel like the kid from Christmas Story all scrunched up with your arms sticking out, unable to move.

I think this happened to me as a child getting ready to sled, and I’ve been slightly traumatized 😉

And that’s why this cowl is perfect. It’ll keep your neck warm under your winter coat without feeling too bulky. Enjoy!!

Skill level

Easy

If you don’t know how to crochet, or maybe just want to brush up on the basics, we have a great resource for you!

Hop over to the Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Crochet. This breaks down the basics of what you need to learn, in what order, and link you directly to some great resources! And best of all, it’s free! Enjoy 🙂

Yarn and materials

• 6mm crochet hook (US J – 10). I used the 6mm hook from my Clover hook set shown above.
• Caron Pantone Yarn in ‘Ultra Violet Miner’ Colorway.
• Craft scissors
• Tapestry needle (a blunt needle)

Note: Caron x Pantone yarn has been discontinued. Refer to Yarn Sub for recommendations on great yarns to use if you’re looking for the same texture.

You can use this yarn weight conversion chart while looking for yarn to use for this cowl. You’ll be looking for size 5/bulky weight, however keep in mind that sometimes yarn weight doesn’t always seem to match with how it actually feels. (e.g. a bulky weight that feels thin, or a worsted weight that feels quite chunky).

So just use your judgement, as the pattern can be adjusted to accommodated changes to the starting chain length.

Caron Simply Me is a great substitute that you can pick up at Michaels, Yarnspirations, or on Amazon.

Stitches (US Terms) and Abbreviations

• chain (ch)
• slip stitch (sl st)
• double crochet (dc)
• ch1sp = chain1 space (the space that is created when you chained 1 in the previous row)
• st = stitch (generic term referring to any stitch or chain space)

If needed, refer to the Beginner’s Guide to Crochet. Those stitch tutorials will walk you through how to complete the above stitches.

If you need to convert from US to UK crochet terms, have a look at this chart.

Gauge

4 inches = 12 dc x 6 rows

Finished measurement

13 inches x 6 inches (when joined to form a cowl/scarf)

Pattern notes

• Turning chain 3 does count as a DC in the row’s stitch count
• If you use a different yarn, or just want to make the cowl smaller or larger, you can adjust the starting chain count as desired. But just make sure you chain an even number to start so the pattern holds true.
• Switch colors at the end of the row when directed. To do this, you can either:
  1. Complete the row in original color and attach the new color to the top of the stitch, or
  2. Complete the last yarn over in the new color. Then I recommend tying the 2 yarn ends (from the old color + new color) in a gentle knot to secure it and make sure the loops don’t loosen.

Written pattern

• Get the inexpensive ad-free PDF printable on Etsy
• Pin this pattern to your Pinterest Boards
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue – Coming soon!
• Buy directly below using Shopify

Row 1 (Color 1): Chain 80, or until it measures 25 inches with a gentle stretch. See pattern notes if you need to adjust the starting chain count.

Row 2 (Color 1): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across [79].

Row 3 (Color 1): Turn, ch3, dc in next st, repeat *ch1, skip next st and dc into following dc*. As you approach the end of the row, you will complete your last dc into the top of the turning ch3.

After you complete row 3, switch to color 2.

Row 4 (Color 2): Turn, ch3, repeat *dc into ch1 space, dc into dc*. End with a dc into the top of the turning ch3. [79]

Row 5 (Color 2): Turn, ch3, dc in next st, repeat *ch1, skip next st and dc into following dc*. As you approach the end of the row, you will complete your last dc into the top of the turning ch3.

After you complete row 5, switch to color 3.

Row 6: Repeat Row 4 in color 3.

Row 7: Repeat Row 5 in color 3.

After you complete row 7, switch to color 4.

Row 8: Repeat Row 4 in color 4.

Row 9: Repeat Row 5 in color 4.

After you complete row 9, switch to color 5.

Row 10: Repeat Row 4 in color 5.

Row 11: Repeat Row 5 in color 5.

Sew in your ends from the color changes.

Below is what the cowl (scarf) will look like before you attach the ends.

Attach the ends:

Lastly we will join the ends to turn this flat piece into a cowl.

If you notice a “right side” and “wrong side” of your work, connect them with WRONG sides facing out. You will then turn it right-side out after it’s done.

To attach, sew the 2 ends together as you see below. Cut a long piece of yarn in the last color (or desired color) and sew the sides together trying to keep the seam as invisible as possible. Alternatively, you can slip-stitch the 2 ends together.

Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy making this beautiful cowl!

If you make one and share on social media, please tag @crochetinthesun. I would love to see them! Also, please link back to my pattern/blog and provide credit for the pattern.

Plus, I would love to share your creation with the crochet community so we can see these pretty scarves (cowls) come to life. 🙂

Happy crocheting,

Jennifer

Other useful crochet resources

• Crochet hook size conversion chart
• Yarn weight conversion chart
• Stitch conversation chart (US vs UK)
• Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Crochet

Looking for more crochet scarf patterns? Check these out:

• Moss stitch crochet scarf: “Uluru Sunset” pattern
• Crochet scarf pattern: “Open Windows” pattern
• Simple scarf pattern: “Simple Crochet Scarf” pattern

If you loved this crochet scarf pattern, have a look at my Crochet Pattern Bundle on Etsy. It includes some of my best sellers along with other new patterns!

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