Dynamite Cowl

Cowls are awesome.  It's like all of the warmth of a scarf, combined with the funky look of a crochet turtleneck sweater (but with, like, 1/10th of the work), AND it also counts as your jewelry, ya know, if you do it right.  

I didn't realize how much I needed one, until my friend Darlene asked me for some cowl suggestions.  And while I was inspired by the round-up of cowls that I did last week, none of them exactly spoke to my personal crazy style and I wanted to make one just for me.  I really liked THIS as a cowl idea (not a pattern, but definitely an inspiration source), but I wanted one that would button.

So this is my Dynamite Cowl.  I used the moss stitch, which made it go crazy fast, since you crochet into the ch spaces, not the stitches.  Awesome, right?  If you want to make one too, read on!

Dynamite Cowl
approximately 5"x 26.5"
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (I used a variety of colors from my stash, but they were all 100% cotton, which is warm enough for Southern California.  If you live in an area that snows, you will probably want to use wool...)
Size J crochet hook
Two 1 1/8" buttons

ch 82
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, (ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) 39 times, sc in last ch (80 stitches)
R2-16: change color, ch 1, sc in first st, (ch 1, sc in next ch space) 39 times, sc in last st (80 st)
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Button Flap:
R1: Using the color you like the most, sc 17 stitches across one of the short ends.  (Women's clothing normally buttons on the left hand side.  This picture looks backwards, but it's just upside down.  Yikes!)
R2: ch 1, sc across all st (17 st)
R3: ch 1, 3 sc, ch 3, skip 3 st, 5 sc, ch 3, skip 3 st, 3 sc (17 st)
R4: ch 1, 3 sc, 3 sc in ch space, 5 sc, 3 sc in ch space, 3 sc (17 st)
R5: ch 1, sc across all st (17 st)
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Sew buttons on to the other short side, being careful to match them to the button holes on the button flap.

Button it up and enjoy!!

And, in a pinch, you can use it as an earwarmer/headband.  You'll be the cutest ski bunny or Shred Betty on the block!

I also made one in less-wild colors, because I realize that not everyone likes to dress hippy-bohemian.  I used a dark chocolate brown, and two colors of aqua.  This version makes me think more of classic Channel, herringbone and tweeds...  Way more appropriate for the office... 

So, which do you like better?  Would you wear the crazy multi-colored cowl, or would the more sophisticated colors make you happier?

xoxo