Lakehurst Cowl in Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick - L80168 - Downloadable PDF

Lakehurst Cowl in Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick – Free Crochet Pattern (L80168)

The Lakehurst Cowl is a beginner-friendly crochet accessory designed by Teresa Chorzepa and published by Lion Brand Yarn Company as pattern number L80168. This free downloadable PDF pattern produces a cozy, generously sized cowl measuring approximately 10 x 32 inches (25.5 x 81.5 cm) before seaming, making it a comfortable wrap-around neck warmer suitable for cooler seasons.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a crocheted cowl — a seamless-style loop worn around the neck and shoulders for warmth and style. The Lakehurst Cowl is worked as a single flat rectangular piece in rows and then cleverly seamed according to an included diagram to create the characteristic cowl shape. This construction method makes it especially approachable for newer crocheters who may not yet be comfortable working in the round.

Techniques Used

• Working in rows: The cowl is crocheted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, keeping the stitch pattern straightforward and easy to track.
• Seaming: Once the rectangular panel is complete, it is joined following a diagram included in the pattern to form the cowl shape. This seaming technique is a great introduction to finishing skills for beginners.
• Weaving in ends: Standard finishing is required to secure yarn tails neatly after seaming.
• Gauge checking: The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning — 7 double crochet stitches equal approximately 4 inches (10 cm) — ensuring the finished cowl matches the intended dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch): Used to begin the foundation row and to create turning chains throughout the pattern.
• Single crochet (sc): Used exclusively in Row 1 to establish the foundation row across 18 stitches.
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch used throughout Rows 2 through 36, creating a dense yet flexible fabric with excellent drape and warmth. The turning chain of 3 counts as the first double crochet in each row, a classic technique that keeps edges tidy.
• Skip (sk): Applied at the beginning of each row in combination with the turning chain to maintain the correct stitch count.

Materials

• Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick (Art. #528) in colorway 208 Turbine — 2 cakes required. This is a super bulky (weight 6) yarn, which works up quickly and produces a thick, warm fabric ideal for cold-weather accessories. The Mandala Thick & Quick line is known for its self-striping, gradient color transitions, meaning the Lakehurst Cowl develops beautiful, automatic color changes without any extra effort from the crafter.
• Crochet Hook: Lion Brand crochet hook size N (10 mm) — a large hook appropriate for super bulky yarn, contributing to the pattern's quick completion time.
• Notions: A Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Pattern Highlights and Skill Level

Rated as Easy by Lion Brand, the Lakehurst Cowl is an excellent project for beginner crocheters looking to build confidence with basic stitches and simple finishing techniques. The repetitive double crochet rows make it meditative and fast to work, while the super bulky yarn and large hook mean the project can realistically be completed in just a few hours. The self-striping nature of Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick in Turbine adds visual interest without requiring any color changes or yarn joins mid-project. This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, designed by Teresa Chorzepa and copyrighted by Lion Brand Yarn Company ©2018.