Beginner Tapestry Crochet Cowl Pattern

Hey makers! I’m so excited to share this design with you today. Today’s FREE pattern is a super easy beginner tapestry crochet pattern. If you ever wanted to give crochet colorwork a try, but weren’t sure where to start or even if crochet colorwork would be your jam, then this pattern is for you!

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The checked cowl pattern was originally part of Happily Hooked Magazine’s Pattern Pack Pro November 2021 issue featuring mosaic crochet. While the term mosaic essentially means a picture or pattern created by strategically placed colored squares, the term mosaic crochet speaks to a specific type of crochet colorwork. Below, I’ve included a brief description of the types of colorwork seen most often in crochet.

Mosaic Crochet – One strand of yarn used per row. Colorwork is achieved by working into rows below.

Intarsia Crochet – More than one strand of yarn used per row. Inactive color is left dangling in back until it is either picked up and used again or cut and woven in (depending on the design). C2C and color block style designs (like flags) use Intarsia crochet.

Stranded Crochet – More than one strand of yarn used per row. Inactive color is carried along the back of the work until it is needed in what is called a “float”. This type of colorwork is seen most often in sweaters knitted in the Fair Isle style. More and more crochet designers have been adapting this type of colorwork into crochet designs making it more accessible for those who don’t knit.

Tapestry Crochet – More than one strand of yarn used per row and generally done in single crochets in the back loops only. Similar to stranded crochet in that the inactive yarn is carried along the work, however in tapestry crochet, you lay the inactive yarn along the top of the row that you are working into and crochet around it. The Checked Cowl pattern uses the tapestry method of crocheting around the inactive color, but works in both loops using double crochets.

Checked Cowl – A Beginner Tapestry Crochet Pattern

Skill Level – easy, beginner

Tools and Materials

• 5.5mm crochet hook
• yarn needle
• scissors
• WeCrochet Wool of the Andes, size 4 yarn, 220 yards total
  • 110 yards color A
  • 110 yards color B
  • Coal and Down Heather colors pictured

Crochet Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch – chain
• st/sts – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• fdc – foundation double crochet
• DC – double crochet
• cc – change color

Click HERE to purchase the PDF version of the Checked Cowl pattern from Ravelry!

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

• 13 sts X 7 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches
• 7in X 12in measured flat

Pattern Notes

• Change color by completing the final yarn over of the DC’s with the new color yarn.
• Carry unworked yarn by crocheting around the inactive strand.
• Chain 2 does NOT count as a stitch.

Click HERE to purchase the PDF version of the Checked Cowl pattern from Ravelry!

Checked Cowl, A beginner tapestry crochet pattern

The Pattern

*Note: Leave a starting tail long enough to seam the edges of the foundation row together. Approximately 6 inches would be sufficient.

Round 1: With color A, foundation double crochet 78. Sl st to top of 1st DC of the foundation to begin working in the round. Ch 2. (78)

Round 2: (Ch-2 does not count as a stitch). DC in first 3. [Cc to B, DC in next 3. Cc to A, DC in next 3] 12 times. Cc to B, DC in last 3. Sl st to top of 1st DC of this round. Ch 2. (78)

Round 3: (Ch-2 does not count as a stitch). DC in first 3. [Cc to A, DC in next 3. Cc to B, DC in next 3] 12 times. Cc to A, DC in last 3. Sl st to top of 1st DC of this round Ch 2. (78)

Round 4-11: Repeat rounds 2 and 3. (78)

Round 12: (Ch-2 does not count as a stitch). DC in each st around. Sl st to top of first DC of this round. (78)

Cut yarn and fasten off. Using tail left at the beginning, seam up the small split left when joining as indicated in Round 1. Weave in all ends.

Thought you might like these FREE patterns….

1. The Nicole Poncho Crochet Pattern
2. The Simple Tunisian Crochet Ear Warmer

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