The Layer Cake cowl pattern is a crochet neck warmer that is packed full of texture, and lacy details, yet is still warm enough for winter. You won’t get bored crocheting this delicious accessory since the stitch design changes every round! Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a print-optimized, ad-free PDF by clicking here.
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Last week, when I released the lacy “Layer Cake” beanie, I knew it needed a cowl to go with it! This crochet pattern includes the same beautiful details: shell stitches, clusters, picots, and half double crochet in the 3rd loop. It’s an easy cowl that is also interesting and fun to crochet since the stitches change every round!
This set now has a pair of matching fingerless gloves!
Want to make a matching scarf instead? Work this design in rows over here.
As in the matching beanie I’ve used some of KT & the Squid’s gorgeous hand-dyed 100% Marino wool yarn in this cowl pattern. It’s called “Squid Squish worsted” for a reason. This yarn is truly amazing to crochet with! Besides feeling amazing as it runs through yours hands, the subtle tonal coloring and pops of red, blue, and yellow sprinkles add extra interest and unique detailing to any item you crochet.
Unfortunately, this yarn has been discontinued but any hand-dyed worsted weight yarn will be a fine substitute. You can also use a #3 light weight acrylic yarn such as Bernat Baby Sport.
Find the free crochet cowl pattern instructions below.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something using these links a small percentage of the sales price goes to me. However, you do not pay any extra for the item you purchase.
Difficulty:
Easy
Materials Needed:
365-525 yards KT & The Squid Squish Worsted in “Bryna”, or #3 weight Bernat Baby Sport in “Baby Taupe”
4.5mm hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge
Yarn needle
Scissors
Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
3dc cluster = dc3tog in same st
BPsc = back post single crochet
BPhdc = back post half double crochet
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sp/sps = space/spaces
Additional Terms:
Picot: using tight tension, ch 2, sl st back into first st
Working in the 3rd Loop of hdc – Instructions: Look at the top of the stitch, and locate the sideways “V”, bend the stitch to look at the back and you should see another “V” made by the “yarn over”. You’ll be working into the back loop of that “V”. This is called the 3rd loop.
Gauge:
16 hdc in 4”
Measurements:
9 ½” tall by,
24” cowl (Child) = 96 ch
26” cowl (Teen/X-Small Adult) = 104 ch
28” cowl (Small/Medium Adult) = 112 ch
30” cowl (Large/X-Large Adult)= 120 ch
32” cowl (2X-Large Adult) = 128 ch
Additional Notes:
-ch 1 at beginning of round does not count as a stitch.
-Pictured cowl is 28″ around by 9 1/2″ tall.
-Pattern is worked in multiples of 4.
-The recommended yarn is closer to a DK weight than a worsted weight.
“Layer Cake” Lace Cowl Pattern (US Terms):
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Ch 96, (104, 112, 120, 128), join with sl st to first ch,
Round 1: ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 2: ch 1, working in 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 3: *sk st, 4 dc in next st, sk st, sl st in next st; repeat from * across, final sl st counts as join. (24, [26, 28, 30, 32] shells)
Round 4: ch 1, *work the following sts across each shell: BPhdc around first st, BPsc around next 2 sts, BPhdc around next st, move to next shell; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 5: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 6: ch 1, *3dc cluster, ch 1, sk st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first 3dc cluster. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 7: ch 1, *2 hdc in each ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first hdc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Round 8: ch 1, working in 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st for first sc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Repeat rounds 3-8 4 more times, then repeat round 3.
Note: You can repeat rounds 3-8 another time or two if you want a longer cowl, but you will need more yarn to complete your project.
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Attach yarn to round 1 on opposite edge of cowl,
Top edging:
Round 1: ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, picot; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (96, [104, 112, 120, 128])
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
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You are welcome to share the link to this pattern, using one image of your choice, on your site, but please do not share the written patterns themselves, this includes my Ravelry downloads or translations of these patterns, or use additional images. You do not have permission to use my images by themselves to create pinnable graphics for Pinterest, however they may be included in a roundup pin if there are 4 or more other patterns. If you sell finished items online, please do not use my pictures for your listings. I’m positive that your work is of high enough quality for you to sell the finished piece. Have confidence in your abilities! <3 Thank you!
This pattern was made to be used by individuals, and small business crocheters alike. Selling your finished pieces in boutiques, at farmer’s markets, craft shows, and other local events is encouraged! Please credit/link Kirsten Holloway Designs when selling finished products online. The only thing I require is that this pattern not be used commercially to produce hundreds of thousands of copies.
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Jane Coxen says
What a beautiful pattern. Absolutely loved working it up. I made the cowl and plan on making the additional pieces. Thank you!
Muriel Tromeur says
Bonjour, je suis nouvelle. ce modèle est superbe. Au niveau des points utilisés :
Que veut dire sk et st ?Que veut dire “tog” dans 3dc = ms3tog dans la même m ?
Que veut dire “poteau arrière” dans BPsc = poteau arrière mailles serrées ?
D’avance merci beaucoup pour vos retours.
Bien cordialement
Kirsten says
Hi Muriel,
The sk st stands for “skip stitch” and is listed in the “Stitches Used” section of the pattern. 😊 the dc3tog is working 3 double crochet stitches together in a cluster. The “tog” means “together”. The 3dc cluster will have only 1 stitch at the top–not 3. 😅
To crochet a back post stitch, you will have the hook inserted from the back of the stitch in the previous round. You will work the stitch around the “post” or “body” of the stitch. YouTube has some tutorial videos for how to work back post stitches: https://youtu.be/jPoaHQom9NQ
I hope that helps! 😊
Charlotte says
Hello, I am a little confused on row 6 also. Do I do 3dc’s in the next stitch when I start and skip one then do another 3 dc’s in the next and so on..I am doing the 28″ cowl so I will end up with 56 or 57 3dc’s? Thanks
Kirsten says
Please make sure you are working 3dc clusters and not 3 separate dc stitches. You will ch-1 and then skip a stitch after each cluster is made. 😊 If you work 3 separate stitches you will end up with a whole lot more stitches than you should!
Kare says
Well, I’ve finished all the pieces in the Primrose and Proper collection- time to get started on Layer Cake !
Thank you for sharing this!
Kirsten says
You’re welcome! Have fun crocheting this new set!
Terry Doffing says
This is so beautiful! Can lace yarn be used for this project? I have some gorgeous alpaca/silk lace yarn that I’m dying to use….
Kirsten says
Terry,
If the lace yarn is at least a #3 weight comparable to Bernat Baby Sport, or a thinner #4 worsted it should work out fine. 😊 If it’s narrower you might be able to get away with using it and switching out the hook for a smaller one, but your cowl would also end up smaller. I hope that helps!
CHERYL ELLIS says
Can this be made as a scarf?
Kirsten says
Hi Cheryl,
It could be but you would have to do a lot of yarn cutting and reattaching at the opposite end to keep the pattern texture going on the correct side. 😅
Jeannie Longanecker says
So in row 6, is it 3 cluster, ch 1 then you must skip 2 st (one for the church and one skipped?
Kirsten says
Hi Jeannie,
You will skip only 1 stitch between the 3dc clusters. Each cluster will only have 1 stitch at the top (it’s not a grouping of 3 separate dc). At the end of the round, if you are doing the smallest cowl you would have 48 3dc clusters and 48 ch-1 sps for a stitch count of 96, then in round 7 you will work 2 hdc in each ch-1 sp which should put your stitch count up to 96 again. I hope that helps!
Sally says
Would you please clarify the instructions for Round 4: ch1, ch 1?? Thank you!
Kirsten says
It looks like the ch-1 was duplicated. It’s been fixed!
Mary De Rooi says
Is row 7……ch 1 hdc 2 then ch 1 hdc again all the way around or
Ch 1 hdc 2 times in each ch 1 space around? Thank you
Kirsten says
Oops! An asterisk was missing. The repeat should be 2 hdc in each ch-1 sp.