Cable Crochet Cowl
This Cable Crochet Cowl is full of texture due to its 3 rows of braided crochet cables! Crochet cables add great texture to your projects. They use what is called “post stitches” because you work around the ‘stem‘ of the next stitch, not into the top loops as usual. It takes a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making beautiful cables in no time.
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Stitches Used in this Cable Crochet Cowl
This Cable Crochet Cowl project, which I like to call the Triple Braided Cowl, uses post stitches but has just a 2-row repeat! 😮 And across each row there are 3 sets of 9 stitches. So, once you figure out the first 9 stitches, you will be repeating them 2 more times across each row. To make this project you will need to know these stitches: chain, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, Front Post Treble Crochet and Back Post Treble Crochet. (All of these stitches are explained below and included in the step-by-step video tutorial)
Step-by-Step Video Tutorial Now Available!
As mentioned above, post stitches can take some practice but they are well-worth the effort! Trust me! But if the stitch explanations below have you stumped, no need to worry. I have a step-by-step video tutorial for this cable crochet cowl project so that you can be making post stitches and triple braids like a pro! Click here to watch the video or scroll down below.
Two Versions of the Cable Crochet Cowl
There are 2 versions of this Cable Crochet Cowl project – a burgundy color which is thicker yarn (so the braids are tighter) with sparkly buttons. The other version (light blue) is with a yarn that feels like butter in your hands and has more stretch so the braids look looser and the cowl sits down around your shoulders. There is also a pretty fringe added to this one. Both projects work the same pattern and stitches but come out looking a little different. Which version are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below – I would love to hear about it!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Measurements:
6″ wide x 40″ long (light blue)
6″ wide x 34″ long (burgundy)
Supplies for the Cable Crochet Cowl:
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Light Blue Version: Red Heart Amore (100% Polyester; 198 yards [181 meters]/100 grams): #6638 Restful, 3 balls
(Unfortunately, this yarn is no longer manufactured. But any medium weight yarn would work well for this project)
(You could use any medium weight yarn for this project)
Three (25 mm) buttons
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Special Stitches and Abbreviations:
Dc (double crochet) = YO, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice
Tr (treble crochet) = YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 3 times
FPtr – Front Post Treble Crochet – YO twice, working on side of project facing, insert hook around post from front to back and then to front again, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 3 times.
BPtr – Back Post Treble Crochet – YO twice, working on side of project on the back of working row, insert hook around post from back to front and then to back again; YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 3 times.
Sc (single crochet) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop; YO, pull through 2 loops on hook
YO (yarn over)
Hk (hook)
Lp (loop)
Ch (chain)
St (stitch)
Sp (space)
Notes:
Pattern is worked back and forth in rows as for a scarf and then one short end is joined to the side of other short end. Fringe and buttons are added last.
Gauge:
6 rows and 21 sts = 4”
(Gauge is really not important for this project – your cowl will be the width of your 3 braided sections and then however many rows you need to reach the desired length – 34″ or 40″)
Here’s the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial for this Cable Crochet Cowl
Need help figuring out how to do the post stitches? Now there is a complete video tutorial to help you along the way including a few tips on how these braids are structured to help you understand how it all comes together.
Instructions for this Cable Crochet Cowl:
Special stitches are written in bold and italicized text and defined above
Ch 30
Row 1:
Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 29 dc.
Row 2 (Right Side):
Ch 3, (sk next 3 sts, FPtr (in Special Stitches) in next 3 sts, working in front of post sts just made, FPtr around 3 skipped sts, FPtr in next 3 sts) 3 times across, dc in turning ch, turn.
Row 3:
Ch 3, (sk next 3 sts, BPtr (see Special Stitches) around next 3 sts, working behind post sts just made so sts cross on RS of Cowl, BPtr around 3 skipped sts, BPtr in next 3 sts) 3 times across, dc in turning ch, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 until piece meas 34″(burgundy version) or 40” long (light blue version)
Last Row:
Ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, sk next st) across, ending with sc in last 2 sts. Fasten off.
Finishing and Assembly:
Weave in all ends.
Using photos as a guide and with tapestry needle, sew last row to side of first 10 rows of Cowl.
Attach buttons in center of each braid along seam (to help hide seam).
Fringe edging:
Cut approximately 100 lengths of yarn that are each 12” long
Tip: Find a hard cover book that is 12” long (or cut a piece of cardboard to this measurement) and wrap yarn around length of book 50 times; Then cut at top and bottom to create the 100 twelve inch lengths
For each piece of fringe: Fold yarn length in half; insert hook into stitch or loop along edge of cowl; Pull folded end (loop) of yarn length through the stitch/loop; Wrap cut ends of yarn length around hook and pull through loop of folded end; Pull cut ends to tighten knot
Repeat all the way around the cowl for the fullness desired; Trim yarn lengths so even
Your Cable Crochet Cowl is Complete!
Now your Cable Crochet Cowl is complete! How did you do with the post stitches? I hope the photos here and the video tutorial helped you be successful. Remember, you can leave a comment below if you have any questions – I am happy to help!
If you would like to see more scarf/cowl patterns, please click here. You can find all of my FREE crochet patterns here.
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Thank you for visiting – Happy crocheting!
Jennifer
Here are some scarf patterns you might also like that are free here on the blog – just click on the image to see the pattern:
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