No, it's not holy and it's not holey, but the punny name is kind of cute (to me), so I couldn't resist. I'm still (since 2016!!!) highly attracted to the self-striping yarns by Red Heart, especially in the bright colorways available. The fun part (for me) is coming up with just the right number of stitches to make the stripes perfect or close-to-perfect for any given project. Today's pattern is a cowl I actually came up with way back when there were only three different colors in the new line of yarn. This cowl works up so fast, and did I mention the bright and cheery neon colorway to soften winter's blow?
It is important to note that not all Red Heart Stripe colorways are created equal. If the stripes in the colorway don't look even, they aren't going to work up evenly in a pattern, either. They will still make stripes, but not even stripes as shown in the Neon version of today's pattern.
I'm tempted to frog this Parrot colorway cowl to make something else. I've needed a new pair of warm leg warmers for a couple of years now but just hadn't decided on the perfect yarn yet. I'm almost thinking the Parrot colorway and the very same stitch will make perfect leg warmers. And yet, how will the uneven stripes look in a finished cowl?!? I love the colors, so I might just go ahead and finish to see how it looks. I can always get more yarn to make new leg warmers...
The stitch I used for this cowl also works up nicely in non-striping yarn. It has great texture and warmth in solid colors, as well.
Finished Size: approximately 28 inches long and 7 inches wide
Materials: 1 5-ounce skein worsted yarn (I used Red Heart in Neon Stripes colorway), size H crochet hook (or size required to obtain correct gauge), tapestry needle
Gauge: 15 pattern st=4 inches; 11 rows of pattern st=4 inches
Wholly Cowl Instructions
Ch 24.
NOTE: I chained 24, pinched the yarn to hold my spot, unraveled and measured how much yarn 24 chains and tail take, then measured 33 inches (my gauge) back from the start of the first black section of yarn to begin my chain. An alternative is to work the chain and the 1st row with solid black (or solid to coordinate with the colorway you are using), then join the striped skein at the very beginning of a color change for the 2nd Row.
Row 1: 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 22 ch; ch 1, turn.
Row 2: [1 sc in next sc, 1 tr in next sc] 11 times, 1 sc in next sc; ch 3, turn.
Row 3: [1 tr in next sc, 1 sc in next tr] 11 times, 1 tr in next sc; ch 1, turn.
Rows 4-70 (or desired length): Repeat rows 2 and 3; bind off leaving a long tail. Using a tapestry needle and long tail, bind starting Row to final Row using a whip stitch. Cowl may be twisted one half time for a mobius cowl, if desired. OR...
Row 71: 1 sc in each st across; ch 1, turn.
Row 72: Attach top of cowl to bottom (with half a twist if mobius cowl if desired) by slip stitching or whip stitching across both top and bottom, catching 1 sc from each end in each sl st; bind off. Weave in ends.
STRIPE NOTE: To preserve even striped scheme, I worked 1 or 2 dc or dtr at the end of each Row as needed instead of tr to force colors to end in the proper place. Changing the end stitch on each Row (I think I did it probably 22 times out of 70 Rows) does not affect the texture or appearance of final cowl. Also, two skeins may be used instead of one for a longer cowl, or two or more skeins may be used without joining the ends to make a scarf instead of a cowl. If not using a self-striping yarn, cowl may be made wider or more narrow, depending upon user preference.
Finish: This pattern in most cases does not require blocking, but should the crocheter desire, I've included instructions for blocking acrylic yarn.
To block an acrylic cowl, preheat steam iron and fill with distilled water (or use spray bottle to mist scarf lightly). Shape cowl on ironing board. Hold iron 1 to 2 inches above cowl and move up and down the length without touching iron to yarn. Allow steam to contact cowl as much as possible, but be careful not to burn yourself on that same steam. After two or three generous passes, turn off iron and set aside safely. Allow Wholly cowl to cool.
Place cowl around neck or just hang it over a bed post. The colors are too beautiful to stick in the closet!
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