The Kissing Cowl is made from yarn that was a gift to me from one of my Seattle besties this past year on my birthday. We used to meet at the Starbucks on Mercer Island because it was a 1/2 way point for each of us. We would sit for an hour or so and catch up any chance we got. It is among several things about Seattle that I miss the most. She walked in last February on my birthday and announced she was giving me money in the form of a Starbucks gift card or cash so I could buy yarn. OF COURSE – I went for the yarn! (I know – shocker!) On the way home I dropped by a great independent yarn shop in West Seattle and picked out this Malabrigo Rios yarn. I knew anything red would be something I would use often.
Originally I found a knitting pattern for a cowl, but after multiple attempts to complete it I scrapped the project. Instead I decided to use this beautiful yarn for one of my own designs. The Kissing Cowl is named as such due to all the cross stitches in the pattern. They form little x’s which of course always remind me of kisses. Combine that with the red color and I couldn’t have imagined a better name.
I believe this pattern is beginner friendly. If you know the stitches, or learn them, you will have a chance to repeat them in the round which will give you lots of practice to perfect them! Ready to get started?
You will need:
Size I Crochet Hook (5.5 mm)
315 yds of worsted weight yarn (I used Malabrigo Rios in the color Marte)
Abbreviations: FHDC - foundation half double crochet (link to video for FHDC here) SC = single crochet CDCS =cross double crochet stitch (link to video for CDCS here) HDC = half double crochet HDC 3rd Loop = Half Double Crochet in the 3rd Loop (link to video for this stitch here) SL ST = slip stitch Ch = chain STS = stitches ST = stitch
Starting Row: FHDC 186 sts, join with a SL ST into the first HDC
- Alternative beginning: If the FHDC isn’t for you and option start would be to sc 188 sts. Then HDC in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each remaining chain. Join with a SL ST into the first HDC. Be careful not to twist the yarn when joining to create a round. You will have 186 HDC sts.
(Row 2) Ch 1, HDC 3rd Loop all the way around, join with a SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (186 sts)
(Row 3) Repeat Row 2
(Row 4) Ch 1, CDCS all the way around, join with SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (93 CDCS = 186 total sts)
(Row 5) Ch 1, HDC all the way around, SL ST into the sc (186 sts)
(Row 6) Ch 1, HDC 3rd Loop all the way around, join with a SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (186 sts)
(Row 7) Ch 1, CDCS all the way around, join with SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (93 CDCS = 186 total sts)
(Row 8) Ch 1, HDC all the way around, SL ST into the sc (186 sts)
(Row 9) Ch 1, HDC 3rd Loop all the way around, join with a SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (186 sts)
(Row 10) Ch 1, CDCS all the way around, join with SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (93 CDCS = 186 total sts)
(Row 11) Ch 1, HDC all the way around, SL ST into the sc (186)
(Row 12) Ch 1, HDC 3rd Loop all the way around, join with a SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (186 sts)
(Row 13) Ch 1, CDCS all the way around, join with SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (93 CDCS = 186 total sts)
(Row 14) Ch 1, HDC all the way around, SL ST into the sc (186)
(Row 15) Ch 1, HDC 3rd Loop all the way around, join with a SL ST into the sc from the beginning of the row (186 sts)
(Row 16) Repeat Row 15
(Row 17) Ch 1, SL ST into each sc all the way around (186 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends
As always, I am around if you need assistance with this pattern. Do not hesitate to reach out to me at autumnandembers@gmail.com.
I would love to see your finished projects. When you make post them on social media please use #autumnandembers so I can find them and see how beautifully it turned out.
