By Nicki Byrnes
October 17, 2022
I’m sharing a crochet pattern that is one of my favorite things to make! It is a stitch repeat that is fun and so cute. Just look at those puff stitches! They look like little hearts as you make it, which is adorable. I recommend you wear it upside down, though, since your beginning row is usually tighter than your end row and looks better worn close to your face.
I adapted this pattern from the Medora Cowl Pattern from Lion Brand. That original pattern is here. I first used the Medora pattern with a skein of Homespun yarn as recommended, and really like it. The yarn is highly textured and gives a lot of personality to the scarf, but it also makes the stitches hard to see versus standard yarn. This can make it difficult for beginners, so if that is you, read on for the better path for you.
Yarn Recommendation
I found two skeins of Malabrigo Mecha yarn at a local yarn shop and wanted to use it to make a puff stitch cowl. I knew the puff stitches would look amazing in the hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn. The Medora pattern didn’t work perfectly with this yarn, so I modified it to work with the Malabrigo yarn, which is a chunky yarn that is on the thin side. I added rows of single crochet at the top and bottom to get it to stand up more and altered the stitch and row counts. It turned out so pretty. The stitches are highly visible, the colors in the yarn pop, and it lays nicely.
Then, I got the idea to make this cowl in Lion Brand Scarfie yarn. I love the color variation, soft texture, and thickness of this yarn. Like Malabrigo, it is a wool yarn that is on the thinner side of the chunky scale. Unlike Malabrigo, it is on the economical side. Malabrigo Mecha is not outrageous for a premium, hand-dyed yarn at $16 a skein, but this pattern required 1.5 skeins. Lion Brand Scarf retails for $11 and can often be found on sale at stores like Michael’s and Joann Fabrics. There are also 312 yards per skein versus 130 yards in a Malabrigo skein (or hank). I found mine at a Joann’s in Atlanta for around $8 a skein and chose the color Sea Foam/Clay.
The pattern in Scarfie yarn worked up quickly and looks great, just like the Malabrigo version. If you have a basic knowledge of how to crochet, you can make this cowl. Just take your time and trouble shoot online when you need it. If you are an experienced crocheter, you will make this in a snap! It’s great for gifting because it is such a fast make and looks intricate with all the puff stitches. The self-striping ombre effect of Scarfie yarn makes it so easy to add more visual interest and really sets it all off.
Enjoy the free pattern below!
Puff Stitch Crochet Cowl Pattern
Gauge: 4 pattern reps (1 rep = puff st, ch 1, puff st) = 4” (10.2 cm)
Puff stitch explanation: Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st, yarn over and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), *yarn over, insert hook in same st, yarn over and draw up a loop; rep from * once more, yarn over, draw through all 7 loops on hook. Make generous sized loops.
Abbreviations:
Beg = begin(s)(ning)
Ch-space = space previously made
Rnd(s) = round(s)
Sl st = slip stitch
Ch(s) = chain(s)
Rep = repeat(s)(ing)
Sk = skip
St(s) = stitch(es)
Sc = single crochet
Skill Level: Easy
Size: One size
Finished circumference: ~22” (56 cm)
Finished height: ~9” (23 cm)
Materials:
1 skein of Lion Brand Scarfie yarn (312 yds each)
Size K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors
Pattern:
Loosely ch 60; join with sl st in first ch to make a ring, taking care not to twist ch.
Rnd 1: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (does not count as st), (Puff st, ch 1, puff st) in same ch as joining, *sk next 2 ch, (puff st, ch 1, puff st) in next ch; rep from * to last 2 ch; join with sl st in top of beg ch (40 puff sts).
Rnds 3-14: Ch 3 (does not count as a st), turn, (puff st, ch 1, puff st) in each ch-1 sp to end of rnd; join with sl st in top of beg ch.
Rnd 15: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Wear so the first row is closer to the chin and the last row is at the neck.
nickibyrnescrochet.com 