Easy Granny Stitch Cowl Pattern

Oh the drama when you see a great pattern and realize none of the yarns you have on hand will work for it! Should you look for a new pattern? Buy yarn? Use yarns held together? You won’t have any drama with this granny stitch cowl pattern! You can use ANY yarn for it! It’s made using measurements and relative gauge, so you can truly use whatever you like for this versatile project. I’m updating this post and I just made another cowl for a little girl, because I wanted it to be finished quickly and I knew I could use the bulky yarn I had on hand!

I like using the granny stitch, though I don’t often make granny squares. I think I dislike that you get all the squares finished and then have to block and sew them. I have TWO garments that I made all the squares for and then just left them in a project bag. Are you like me? Anyone?! Well, we can still use the quick and versatile granny stitch. In this cowl, you’ll use the granny stitch in turned rounds to make a cowl! I created this pattern so you can have it in your library and whip one of these up with whatever yarn you’ve got. Scraps? Perfect. Self-striping? Awesome. Saturated tonal? Stunning. Variegated? Delightful. You can use CYC weights 1 through 6 to create this cowl, they’ll just lay differently based on what the fiber content and weight is, but the pattern design will create the appropriate shape.

When I started really diving into crochet and developing a style and growing a yarn stash, I made a granny triangle scarf that turned out so pretty. I ended up joining it together on the ends to make a cowl. This was after making a triangle, I just sewed it together kind of higgledy-piggledy. It looked great in the front but not so much around the back of the neck. I think that was 4 years ago, and here I am finally making that concept a reality with this granny stitch cowl pattern. This, however, looks lovely in the back as well!

Let’s dive in for some of the particulars for this design. You really do not need to gauge swatch to try to meet a particular gauge, since we are using measurements as we go in this pattern. However, you may want to make a swatch to test the drape with your selected yarn and hook size, to get the desired drape. You’ll be using granny stitch, so make your gauge swatch in granny stitch. There is a different gauge swatch for each yarn weight. Use the hook size to get your desired look and drape. If you want to have a relaxed cowl that drapes daintily, you’ll want a larger hook size. If you want the cowl to sit up more stiffly next to the face to keep warm, use a smaller hook size. You need a tape measure to make this pattern, because you’ll be measuring as you go to get the appropriate sizing.

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You can use the pattern here on the blog anytime for free! Bookmark the page and come back each time you pick up your work. If that doesn’t work for you, consider purchasing the PDF. I truly think this is one of those basic patterns you come back to again and again, and it’s versatile for style and yarn choice. Add it to your library in ravelry or purchase on Etsy. Okay, let’s get to it!

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• ch = chain stitch
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• sk = skip
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• sp = space
• MR = magic ring
• beg = beginning
• granny sp = space between each granny cluster
• granny cluster = 3 dc

Special Stitches:

• beg dec = ch 3, dc next granny sp
• dec = dc each of next two granny sp

Supplies:

• 100-450 yards yarn in desired size (samples as follows)
• crochet hook sized to desired drape of yarn selected (samples as follows, see notes for details)
  • CYC 1: 3.25mm hook
  • CYC 2: 4mm hook
  • CYC 3: 5mm hook
  • CYC 4: 6mm hook
  • CYC 5: 9mm hook
  • CYC 6: 11mm hook
• tapestry sewing needle
• scissors and measuring tape

Gauge Swatch:

CYC 1: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 8.5 granny clusters in 17 granny rows

CYC 2: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 7 granny clusters in 14 granny rows

CYC 3: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 5 granny clusters in 10 rows

CYC 4: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 4 granny clusters in 9 granny rows

CYC 5: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 3 granny clusters in 6 granny rows

CYC 6: 4 in by 4 in swatch = 2.5 granny clusters in 4 granny rows

Notes:

• Pattern is written to be made using measurements at certain points in the pattern to determine how many stitches, there are no stitch counts for this pattern.
• Pattern is worked flat and in the round.
• Finished dimensions: 20-22 in around, 15-17 in tall
• I prefer a cowl to be a warm winter accessory. If this is being worn more as a fashion accessory, you may add an inch or two to either or both measurements to achieve a roomier cowl that doesn’t sit as close to the neck and face.
• Think about the type of drape and warmth you want to achieve with your cowl and how the fiber choice affects that. Cotton, for example, is notoriously stiff. A cotton blend yarn, crocheted with a bit tighter hook for the yarn weight would provide a cowl that stays upright easily to cover your face. If you used a larger hook, however, with an acrylic fiber of the same weight yarn, it would drape beautifully but would not stand up in quite the same way.
• Modification for a children’s size: 14 inches for the triangle measurement and 3 inches for the chain measurement.
• Beg dec and dec each count as a granny cluster, so in rounds 3 and 5- end you’ll be working in the granny sp between the decreases.

Written Instructions for the Granny Stitch Cowl Pattern:

Granny Triangle:

Row 1: MR, ch 3, 2 dc into ring, ch 2, 3 dc into ring, pull ring closed, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, sk 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2-sp, sk 2 sts, 3 dc in last st, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, 3 dc in each granny sp until ch-2 sp (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2-sp, 3 dc in each granny sp until last st, 3 dc in last st, turn.

Repeat row 3 until long edge of triangle reaches approximately 16 inches.

Do not fasten off. Ch approximately 4 inches in multiples of 3. For example, fingering (CYC 1) sample was 30 chains = 4 in.

Sl st to opposite corner of triangle, turn.

Round 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, *sk 3 sts, 3 dc next st, repeat from * until end of chain, continue around granny triangle as above, sl st to top of beg ch 3, turn.

Round 2: Beg dec, 3 dc in each granny sp around granny triangle as above, dec at other end of triangle, 3 dc in each granny sp to end of straight row part, sl st to top of beg ch 3, turn.

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, 3 dc each granny sp around and continue around granny triangle as above, sl st to top of beg ch 3, turn.

Round 4: Beg dec, 3 dc in each granny sp around granny triangle as above, dec at other end of triangle, 3 dc in each granny sp to end of straight row part, sl st to top of beg ch 3, turn.

Round 5-end: Repeat round 3 until desired length.

So what did you think? I thought this was so fun to make and I actually made FIVE (let’s update this to about 8!) of them! Here are the links again to my pattern shops if you need them!

Welcome! Are you new here!? I’m Priscilla and I like to design patterns for families to coordinate and match! Most of my accessory designs have sizes baby to adult. I also enjoy designing earrings with crochet thread. I offer 30+ patterns freely here on the blog as well as premium PDFs in my pattern shops. Sign up for my email newsletter! I typically send an email every Friday and I share news about crochet events and patterns, yarn sales, etc.