Aspen Chroma Cowl Crochet A Long Part 1

This textured cowl is perfect for almost any hand dyed yarn. I’ve used speckled yarn, ombre yarn, and solid colors to work up a cowl. I’ve yet to find a yarn that didn’t work well. Welcome to the Aspen Chroma Cowl crochet a long. A pattern that works with just about any color option of sock/fingering weight yarn.

If you’ve seen some of my other patterns, you know that I love two things in crochet. The first: texture. When I design my patterns, I always work to incorporate a texture element. The second: color. I rarely use solid colors and I rarely use neutrals. I love bright colors and speckled yarn. There’s something about those two things that call to me.

This is the first part of the Aspen Chroma Cowl CAL. In this part we will get our yarn, hook, and start the first portion of the pattern. If you would rather have a PDF copy that is ad-free head over to my Ravelry to grab it so you can get future updates as well. In this paid pattern, you’ll get not only what is included here, but also stitch counts for DK and Worsted weight yarns.

Let’s move on to some of the other details of this CAL:

• This will be a 3 post CAL. Blog post dates: July 6th (today), July 9th, and July 12th
• There will be prizes involved. They may range from free patterns to a shop credit. Everyone doing the CAL will be eligible. To enter you just need to interact in the Facebook group by posting pictures and asking/answering questions.
• I have a community on Facebook where discussion can happen, questions can be asked, and parts can be shared. It’s Knotty Bliss Crochet
• Not on Facebook? That’s okay. We also have a Ravelry group that you can join and participate in our CAL event!

Supplies you’ll need:

• 75-100 grams of fingering/sock weight yarn
• 3.5 mm hook
• scissors
• yarn needle
• tape measure

About my example

For this CAL I’m using a hand dyed 75% merino 25% nylon, fingering weight yarn from Woolly Mama yarns (I am not affiliated, I get nothing if you shop with her) which is based from the UK. The color way I’m using to work up my example is called Glacier. I’ve also used her Pop Art color way to work up one of these cowls and it was gorgeous. I personally love speckled or multicolor yarn for this cowl because it turns out so busy but the texture still tends to pop. The featured image of this post is Knitpicks fingering Muse yarn in Impulse. Go check out the project gallery on Ravelry for this pattern to see other colors worked up.

I will be posting photos throughout to show a culmination of a couple rows at a time.

The finished item is roughly 24 inches in circumference (so 12 inches flat) and about 9 to 10 inches tall. I will say gauge is not super important for this project simply because it is a cowl.

Gauge for this project is 10 stitches by 6 rows of double crochet equals a 2 inch by 2 inch square.

Stitches we’ll be using (and their abbreviations):

Chain-CH, Slip Stitch- SL ST, Half Double Crochet- HDC, Double Crochet- DC, Front Post Double Crochet- FPDC, Back Post Double Crochet- BPDC, and a special stitch: DC in 3rd loop (it’s like HDC in the 3rd loop/camel stitch)

Let’s get started with the pattern!

To start, we’re going to Chain 110, being careful to not twist the chain, because this pattern is worked in the round. SL ST to your first CH.

R 1: CH 1, DC around, SL ST to first DC, Turn (110)

R 2: CH 1, *FPDC, BPDC* around, SL ST to first DC, Turn (110)

R 3: CH 1, *FPDC, BPDC* around, SL ST to first DC, Turn (110)

R 4: CH 1, DC around, SL ST to first DC, Turn (110)

R 5: CH 1, DC around, SL ST to first DC, Turn (110)

R 6: CH 1, HDC around, SL ST to first HDC (110)

R 7: CH 1, DC in 3rd loop around, SL ST to first DC (110)

In the above photo I’m showing where you are working into with the 3rd loop DC. The grey loop on the far left is the 3rd loop.

In this photo, I’m showing what the 4 loops that make a DC look like before finishing it after going through and pulling through the 3rd loop.

Now we’re going to create our first textured section.

Round 8: CH 1, DC in first ST, *FPDC, DC* around, SL ST to first DC (110)

Round 9: CH 1, FPDC in first ST *DC, FPDC* around, SL ST to first DC (110)

Round 10: CH 1, DC in first ST, *FPDC, DC* around, SL ST to first DC (110)

Round 11: CH 1, FPDC in first ST *DC, FPDC* around, SL ST to first DC (110)

At this point, your cowl is probably curling a bit. That is not an issue that will last and your cowl will flatten out.

Final thoughts for today’s portion:

This portion of our Cowl forms the band and up to the end of our first textured section. It’s a great spot to stop for our first portion. The next part of this cowl goes live July 9th and we will start the first plain portion between textured sections. I absolutely adore this texture because it mimics the alpine stitch. It is different in construction but I find it easier to make.

Want to work ahead? Grab the pattern from my Ravelry and use the code AspenChromaCAL to get it for 10% off!

Looking for a place to ask questions or maybe share your project as you work? Head on over to my Facebook group Knotty Bliss Crochet! I’ll be giving away prizes at the end of the CAL such as free patterns and shop credit! Want to share your work on Instagram? Tag me @knottyblissboutique and/or use #aspenchromaCAL so we can all see your work! I love featuring those who use my patterns!

Looking for some other free patterns? Why not check out my Alpine Stitch Mug Rug or my Winter Blues headband pattern!