INTRODUCTION

Exaggerate

by Jessica Bolof

I wanted to push the boundaries of recognizable lace by stripping down crochet to its basic elements but using a bulky texture. The resulting experiments are a bold statement making cowl and a snug fitting cowl that's surprisingly warm for being so airy, perfect for tucking in a coat.

The 3-color cowl was inspired by my love of strong evergreen trees next to their vibrant and fiery deciduous neighbors. It feels like home.

Take the experiment into your hands. Do you want to make a wider cowl? Simply increase the cast on in increments of 12 for more repeats. Finer yarn and more repeats? Change your hook size and swatch.

If you hate swatching, make sure you can fit it over your head after the cast on and first round, and you should be good to go.

model: Amber Jahn

photos: Jessica Bolof

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

LARGE: 3 color cowl
Depth: 10.5 inches / 27 cm
Circumference: 35 inches / 89 cm

SMALL: 1 color cowl
Depth: 8.5 inches / 22 cm
Circumference: 17.5 inches / 44 cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
LARGE: 3 color cowl (shown above)
Brilliant DK by Schmutzerella Yarns [75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Silvertone Stellina; 231yd/211m per 3.5 oz/100g skein];
[A] Riker's Beard; 1 skein
[B] Expelliarmus; 1 skein
[C] Imagination; 1 skein
Note: Sample used about 60% of each skein, about 135 yds/125m per color.

SMALL: 1 color cowl (shown below)
Brilliant DK by Schmutzerella Yarns [75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Silvertone Stellina; 231yd/211m per 3.5 oz/100g skein] color: Sorcerer's Stone; 1 skein.
Note: Sample used about 65% of the skein, about 150 yds/135m.

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses DK-weight 3-ply wool. Choose solid or semi-solid color yarns for best stitch definition. Using a highly variegated yarn will compromise stitch definition, but can make a unique piece.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US N/P-15/10mm crochet hook

Notions
yarn needle

GAUGE

10 sts/3.5 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch (start counting at v-stitch cluster), worked with chain-plied yarn

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Chain plying is a convenient way to bulk up a thinner yarn without having to purchase 3 skeins or planning ahead when purchasing yarn. Using the resulting bulkier gauge yarn makes for a quicker project as well. There's a video tutorial here.

DIRECTIONS

LARGE: 3 color cowl
Chain-ply the yarn as you work (see Pattern Notes), and treat it as a single strand.

Rnd 1: With Yarn A, ch 96. Being careful not to twist, use a sl st to join into a round.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in first chain, ch 2, dc twice in same ch, ch 6, sk 11, [dc twice in same space, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11] 7 times. Sl st on top of ch 3, sl st on top of dc, sl st in ch-sp.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in first ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11, [dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11] 7 times. Sl st on top of ch 3, sl st on top of dc, changing to Yarn B in second step of sl st, sl st in ch-sp.
Rnds 4-5: Ch 3, dc in first ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11, [dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11] 7 times. Sl st on top of ch 3, sl st on top of dc, sl st in ch-sp.
Rnd 6: Work as for previous Rnd, but change to Yarn C in second st of sl st on top of final dc.
Rnds 7-9: Repeat Rnd 2.

Fasten off.

SMALL: 1 color cowl
Chain-ply the yarn as you work (see Pattern Notes), and treat it as a single strand.

Rnd 1: With Yarn A, ch 48. Being careful not to twist, use a sl st to join into a round.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in first chain, ch 2, dc twice in same ch, ch 6, sk 11, [dc twice in same space, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11] 3 times. Sl st on top of ch 3, sl st on top of dc, sl st in ch-sp.
Rnds 3-7: Ch 3, dc in first ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11, [dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 2, dc twice in same ch-sp, ch 6, sk 11] 3 times. Sl st on top of ch 3, sl st on top of dc, sl st in ch-sp.
Fasten off.

FINISHING

To block, soak cowl in room temperature water with optional no-rinse wool cleanser until fully saturated in a bowl. Pour out water, carefully lift cowl from the bottom to avoid stretching it out, roll in a towel to remove excess water, gently shape. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Designer and fiber arts instructor, Jessica Bolof, has been crocheting since before she could read. Her works have appeared in fiber arts publications such as KnitScene and Quick Crocheted Accessories: 3 Skeins or Less.

She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, and their three children.

Pattern & images © 2022 Jessica Bolof