The Manchester Quick Crochet Cowl – Free Pattern

This quick crochet cowl pattern uses a simple, drapey stitch and chunky yarn to make a show stopping oversized scarf. View the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here. 

This free, quick crochet cowl pattern is part of an ongoing collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

Last week I shared the Presto 4.5 Hour Afghan pattern in celebration of some new yarn options at select Michael’s stores and Michaels.com. Today I’m thrilled to offer some more yarny inspiration in the form of a quick crochet cowl pattern using a new Lion Brand yarn called “Thick & Quick” that is now available at Michael’s as well.

Thick & Quick Bonus Bundle is the generously-sized, 100% acrylic cousin of one of my favorites yarns, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. Lion Brand basically just removed the wool from the original chunky, fibertastic yarn, making this yarn even softer and appropriate for anyone who likes to avoid animal fibers. I love it!

There are many free patterns I’ve designed using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick including the Cabin Boots and Breckenridge Boots (both with flip flop soles), the Bixby Cowl, the Lineage Lapghan and then last week’s Presto 4.5 Hour Afghan pattern. Any of these patterns would be great candidates for the new non-wool Thick & Quick.

Another free pattern I’ve shared using Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is actually the inspiration for this quick crochet cowl. The Huggle Hooded Cowl is a very simple free knitting pattern from Make & Do Crew and I know many of you have been hoping for a crochet version. While the stitch definition of this Manchester Cowl pattern is a bit different, the basic concept of a soft, luxurious neck cocoon is the same.

And similarly to the Huggle Hooded Cowl, this quick crochet cowl is waaaay easy. In fact, it actually uses the same basic stitch as the Presto 4.5 Hour afghan, so you know it’s gotta be lightening fast.

This free, quick crochet cowl pattern is perfect for a confident beginner and I think it would make a great, fast crochet gift idea. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who needs a super last minute gift every once in a while. 🙂 )

You can grab all the yarn you’ll need for this quick crochet cowl, plus a printed copy of the pattern in a kit from Lion Brand here! You can also find this new Thick & Quick yarn in select Michael’s stores and at Michaels.com. (I’ve noticed some really fantastic deals on it lately too!)

P.S. Isn’t my sister so cute? This photo below was the exact moment a group of Christmas carolers randomly walked past us and started singing. Such a genuinely sweet smile. 

Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this pattern. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. Now go make something awesome!

The Manchester Cowl
Quick Crochet Cowl – Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation:
Cloak yourself in layers of soft snuggles with this simple and modern crochet cowl. The open weave creates irresistible drape, while the shear volume of fabric ensures that your neck stays cozy warm. This statement piece adds style to a simple leggings and denim shirt outfit, or softens more professional or out-on-the-town attire. The skills needed to whip up with quick project are appropriate for a confident beginner and include half double crochet, double crochet, decreasing and working in the round.

Supplies:
Purchase a kit with all the yarn you’ll need from LionBrand.com, plus a printed copy of the pattern here!
• Lion Brand Thick & Quick Bonus Bundle (Weight: 6/Super Bulky – 223 yds, 12 oz)
– Color: Oxford Grey (#122-150) – 2 skeins
• Size P crochet hook (11.5 mm)
• Size N crochet hook (10.0 mm)
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
hdcblo – half double crochet through the back loop only
ch1sp – the space created by one chain
dc2tog – double crochet two together
sp – space
dc – double crochet
tch – turning chain
st(s) – stitch(s)
sk – skip
dec – decrease
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

Measurements:
Circumference around bottom: 37”
Circumference around top: 22”
Height: 27.5”

Gauge:
8.5 sts x 4 rows = 4” when worked in [dc, ch 1] pattern

Overall Pattern Notes:
• The bottom ribbing is worked first flat and seamed. The first round of the cowl is worked into the ribbing.

RIBBING

Notes: Row 2 and beyond of the ribbing are worked through the single back loop of each half double crochet stitch. This is always the loop farthest away from you, regardless of which side of the work is facing you.

Foundation Row: With smaller hook, ch 11.

Row 1: Sk first 2 ch, hdc in next 9 ch; turn. (9)

Rows 2 – 43: Ch 2, hdblo in each hdc; turn.

Fasten off, leaving a 15” tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and use the mattress stitch to seam the ribbing into a loop. Take care to ensure that piece isn’t twisted and that hdc stitches are best lined up to disguise seam.

COWL

Notes:
• Ch 4 at the beginning of each round counts as 1 dc and ch1sp. Work these chains fairly tightly to ensure ch1sp matches the ch1sps of the rest of the round.

• To join each round, slst into first ch1sp from the beginning of the round (which is created by the initial ch 4). Then after chaining 4 at the beginning of the next round, place first dc into the next sp after the sp you slip stitched into.

• To keep track of the stitch count, this pattern references the number of ch1sps in each round instead of the number of stitches as the spaces are simply easier to count.

• How to dc2tog: Yo, insert hook in indicated ch1sp, yo and pull yarn through sp, yo and pull through two loops on hook; yo, insert hook in next ch1sp, yo and pull yarn through sp, yo and pull through two loops on hook, yo and pull through all three loops on hook. (1 sp decreased)

Join yarn to ribbing edge. Work cowl section with larger hook.

Round 1: Ch 4, *dc, ch 1; repeat from * 42 more times evenly all the way around ribbing edge, sl st to join. (44 ch1sps) Leave a chain-length sp between each dc worked into the ribbing in order to space stitches out appropriately.)

Rounds 2-7: Ch 4, sk next dc, *dc in next ch1sp, ch 1; repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (44 ch1sps)

Round 8 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 9 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 20 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 10 times, sl st to join. (42 ch1sps)

Round 9: Rep Round 2. (42 ch1sps)

Round 10 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 18 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 19 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, sl st to join. (40 ch1sps)

Round 11: Rep Round 2. (40 ch1sps)

Round 12 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 8 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 18 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 9 times, sl st to join. (38 ch1sps)

Round 13: Rep Round 2. (38 ch1sps)

Round 14 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 16 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 17 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, sl st to join. (36 ch1sps)

Round 15: Rep Round 2. (36 ch1sps)

Round 16 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 7 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 16 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 8 times, sl st to join. (34 ch1sps)

Round 17: Rep Round 2. (34 ch1sps)

Round 18 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 14 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 15 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, sl st to join. (32 ch1sps)

Round 19: Rep Round 2. (32 ch1sps)

Round 20 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 6 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 14 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 7 times, sl st to join. (30 ch1sps)

Round 21: Rep Round 2. (30 ch1sps)

Round 22 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 12 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 13 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, sl st to join. (28 ch1sps)

Round 23: Rep Round 2. (28 ch1sps)

Round 24 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 5 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 12 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 6 times, sl st to join. (26 ch1sps)

Round 25: Rep Round 2. (26 ch1sps)

Round 26 (dec): Ch 4, [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 10 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1; [dc in next ch1sp, ch 1] 11 times, dc2tog over next two ch1sps, ch 1, sl st to join. (24 ch1sps)

Round 27: Ch 1, sc in ch1sp and each dc around, sl st to join.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Slide into your new yarn cocoon and don’t take it off until Spring!

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.

If you’d like more crochet inspiration, you might enjoy these other free patterns from Make & Do Crew:

1. The Revival Scarf – free crochet triangle scarf pattern and video tutorial

2. The Dwell Sweater – free video tutorial and crochet cardigan pattern made from a simple rectangle

3. Cabin Boots – free crochet pattern using flip flop soles

4. Sedona Fringed Throw – free modern ripple afghan pattern