Checkmate Cowl - Free Crochet Pattern
I am PUMPED to bring you the Checkmate Cowl - Free Crochet Pattern as part of an incredible collaboration with Mary Maxim Yarns, myself, Natalie of Detroit Knots and Lauren of Mother of Purl. Now THAT is a collaboration team! You can read all about the collaboration here.
For the crochet cowl I wanted a cowl n’ snood effect. Something that was a cozy cowl but could easily pop up into hood action if needed… and hey, it is chicago after all! I added a strap accent to allow for some structure and also give a great chin tuck away when you activate hoody mode.
The Checkmate Cowl - Free Crochet Pattern is super easy and very beginner friendly. I chose to carry the yarn through because with such a strong contrast in the colors I liked the little pop through dot matrix effect I was getting. It added a bonus element to the design!
I had so much fun making this cowl but also doing this collaboration. This was one of those projects where the whole process was joyful and I loved it. We had a little group chat going to test out ideas and cheer each other on. WE CRUSHED THIS COLLAB!
And to be honest - I cannot recall the last time I just had this much fun. This project was stitching soul food!
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
MATERIALS
Mary Maxim Mellow Spun DK
COLOR A: Dark Oak / 1 Skein / 284 yards
COLOR B: Buff / 1 Skein /
Size US H / 5 mm Crochet Hook from We Crochet
Darning Needle to weave in ends
Tape Measure to check gauge
ABBREVIATIONS:
fhdc – foundation half double crochet
ch - chain loop
hdc - half double crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
sk - skip
GAUGE: 14 sts x 11 Rows in hdc = 4” square
SIZES: SM/Med (26” circumference / 11” wide); L/XL (28” circumference / 11” wide)
This cowl is written for two sizes but can quite easily be customized for any size.
PATTERN NOTES:
There is no RS / WS for this shawl. It is fully reversible
Do not worry about the edges because the accent strap will cover your edge seam
You will be carrying the yarn through as you change colors. This creates the “dot matrix” effect
Please see video on Stitch & Hustle to learn the fhdc / fsc if you do not know it. https://www.stitchandhustle.com/blog/crochet-crescent-shawl-magic-start
BEGIN USING COLOR A:
ROW 1: fhdc 90 (110), Turn
ROWS 2 - 8: ch 1 (does not act as st); 10 hdc, * Color B 10 hdc, Color A 10 hdc; Repeat * to * across, Turn.
ROWS 9 – 15 : ch 1 (does not act as st); Color B 10 hdc, *Color A 10 hdc, Color B 10 hdc; Repeat * to * across, Turn.
ROWS 16 - 22: ch 1 (does not act as st); 10 hdc, * Color B 10 hdc, Color A 10 hdc; Repeat * to * across, Turn.
ROWS 23- 29 : ch 1 (does not act as st); Color B 10 hdc, *Color A 10 hdc, Color B 10 hdc; Repeat * to * across, Turn.
ROW 30: ch 1 (does not act as st); hdc 90 (110), Turn
Fasten off leaving a long tail
Block before seam & assembly
FINISHING:
Using long tail, seam up the side.
USING COLOR A:
ROW 1: fhdc 40, Turn
ROWS 2 - 3: ch 1 (does not act as st); 40 hdc
Fasten off with long tail
Using long tail anchor band to cowl seam about half way down the seam.
Wrap band around the cowl then anchor other end.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends