XOXO Cowl

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Hey friends!

I’m super excited to introduce you to the newest member of the XOXO Collection of patterns, the XOXO Cowl! And what better day to release this sweet, love-inspired pattern than on Valentine’s Day?!

The XOXO Cowl uses the same simple stitch pattern you’ve come to love for its texture and visual interest in a fun and quick new pattern to keep you cozy and warm in these still cold winter months.

Paid PDF available on Etsy and Ravelry

Special Stitches

There are a couple of special stitches and techniques featured in this pattern that are a bit more advanced, such as the kiss stitch (a variation on the crossed double crochet) and the foundation single crochet. If you’re unfamiliar with any of these, please see my tutorials (includes photo and video instruction) linked below.

• Foundation Single Crochet
• Kiss Stitch (in the round)

Yarn + Materials

This pattern uses a CYC 5 bulky weight yarn, which can be a broad category of weights. The following yarn recommendations have close WPI of 7 wraps per inch according to Ravelry and should be fairly interchangeable. Still, you will want to make sure you check your gauge to ensure proper size and yardage requirement.

• Premier Basix Chunky (shown)
• LB Hue + Me
• LB Mandala Impressions
• Brava Bulky
• Paintbox Simply Chunky

Okay then, on to the pattern!

XOXO Cowl Crochet Pattern

by Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust

Please note that this pattern is written to fit most adults. The pattern notes contain information helpful in adjusting the size. This pattern is also available in a printable PDF format with a stitch chart and round tracker.

Materials

• 160 yds (146 m) of a CYC 5 Bulky weight yarn, shown here in Premier Basix Chunky (See yarn suggestions above)
• 6mm/J Hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (recommended)

Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)

• Stitch(es) (st(s))
• Chain (ch)
• Chain Space (ch sp)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Skip (sk)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Foundation Single Crochet – photo and video tutorial available here
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Kiss Stitch (KS) – photo and video tutorial available here

Finished Measurements

• Size: One size fits most adults
• Finished Dimensions: 13″ (33 cm) diameter x 11″ (28 cm) high

Gauge

Psst! Trouble meeting gauge? Check out my blog post on gauge.

4″ (10 cm) square = 11 sc = 3.5 KS = 7 rows

Pattern for Gauge:
R1: FSC 20. (See FSC tutorial for help.)
R2: ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn, *sk 2, dc next, ch 1, dc into first skipped stitch, repeat from * until only 1 st remains, dc. (See Kiss Stitch in Rows tutorial for help.)
R3: ch 1 (doesn’t count), turn, sc in each st and ch-sp across.
R4-11: repeat R2-3.

Notes

• This pattern is written in US Standard terms and is classified as Advanced Beginner.
• Stitch Multiple: 3
• Pattern Repeat: 2 rounds (R2-3)
• Size/Tension Adjustments:
  • Adjust the diameter: increase/decrease your foundation stitches in multiples of 3
  • Adjust the height: add/subtract pattern repeats
• PRO TIP: I recommend reading through the pattern or watching the pattern video(s) before starting to familiarize yourself with the pattern and stitches. Annoying? Yes. Worth it? Definitely.
• PRO TIP: Count your stitches often! Its easy to get off count in this pattern!
• PRO TIP: Size matters! Make it fit and don’t run out of yarn. Make that gauge swatch and compare to the pattern gauge above
  • Trouble meeting gauge? Check out my blog post on gauge.
• Get the PDF: If you’d prefer a convenient, printable PDF version of this pattern, which includes in-document photo tutorials for all special stitches mentioned above (with links to video tutorials for each), as well as a helpful round tracker and a stitch chart for visual reference – available in the paid pattern only, visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!

Written Pattern

This pattern is worked in joined rounds. Chain stitches at beginning of rounds do not count as a stitch except as indicated in kiss stitch rounds. Stitch counts are given at the end of round instructions in ( )s.

R1: 69 FSC, join with a sl st to the top of the first FSC of the round, taking care not to twist. (Alternatively, ch 70, sc into 2nd ch and each ch around, join with a sl st to the first st of the round) (69 FSC)

NOTES:

• For help working this round, see my FSC photo and video tutorial.
• Leave a long tail so that you can use the tail to sew the bottoms of your first and last FSC stitches together when you finish. This will close the small gap created when you joined these stitches to begin working in the round.
• The length of these 69 sts is equal to the circumference of your cowl. If you want your cowl narrower or wider, subtract or add FSC in multiples of 3 respectively.

Begin Pattern Repeat

PRO TIP: The words “pattern repeat” refer to the set of rounds that are repeated a specified number of times to complete the bulk of a pattern. It’s the pattern within the pattern, so to speak. In this instance, rounds 2-3 make up the first pattern repeat. It’s still referred to as a pattern repeat even though we haven’t actually repeated anything yet.

R2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), WORKING BACKWARD (to the right of the ch-4), sk 1, dc next. WORKING FORWARD (to the left of the ch-4) *sk 2 sts (do not count the st at the base of your ch-4), dc next, ch 1, dc into the first sk st, leaving the second sk st unworked. Repeat from * all the way around, join with a sl st to the 3rd ch from the beginning of the round. (23 KS)

NOTE: For help with this round, see my kiss stitch photo and video tutorial.

PRO TIP: You may find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the 3rd chain of your ch-4 to locate more easily locate for joining the end of the round.
PRO TIP: Asterisks (*) indicate the series of stitches to repeat in succession as you work the round.

R3: Ch 1, sc into first st (the 3rd ch you joined to in the previous round), *sc into ch sp, sc next 2 sts. Repeat from * 21 more times, sc into next ch sp, sc into next stitch, join with sl st to first sc of the round. (69 sc)

End of Pattern Repeat

R4-19: Continue alternating R2-3 for a total of 9 pattern repeats. (maintain 23 KS and 69 sc respectively)

NOTE: If you want your cowl shorter or taller, subtract or add pattern repeats.

Tie off, weave in ends! Don’t forget to close the bottom of your FSC from R1 with the long tail you left before weaving it in.

You did it!

Yay, you’re all finished! I know the beginning of those kiss stitch rounds was a little fiddly, but once you had the hang of it, I’m sure you flew!

I would LOVE to see your make!  Should you choose to share, use the tag #LaBelleVieForMe to share your work with me @HooksBooksWanderlust on Instagram and / or Facebook!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern and found it easy to follow! If not, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Email me at kristen.caldwell@hooksbookswanderlust.com.

Happy crocheting!

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