The Sky is Crying

The Sky is Crying Cowl by Laurie Beardsley

Project Overview

The Sky is Crying is a crocheted cowl designed by Laurie Beardsley, inspired by the music of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the atmosphere of a stormy spring night. This lightweight cowl features an elegant drape and is worked in the round using a simple, repeating lace pattern that is easy to memorize and execute, making it an ideal project for beginners exploring crochet techniques.

What You'll Create

This project produces a finished cowl measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) in circumference and 13 inches (33 cm) in depth. The cowl is designed to be worn as a versatile neckpiece with beautiful drape, suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory. The finished piece showcases a swirling lace pattern that creates visual movement and texture.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This cowl is crocheted in the round, a fundamental technique that creates seamless, circular fabric. The construction method eliminates the need to track where each round ends, simplifying the building process for crocheters of all skill levels.

The lace pattern employed throughout the design consists of one repeating motif that swirls continuously around the cowl. This single-motif approach makes the pattern exceptionally easy to remember and follow, as you simply repeat the same sequence of stitches throughout the entire project. The pattern includes single crochet (sc) stitches, which form the foundation of the gauge measurement at 22 single crochets equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in the swirl pattern after blocking.

The lace construction creates an open, airy fabric with excellent drape characteristics, allowing the cowl to sit elegantly around the neck without bulk.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This project calls for 5 mini skeins of fingering weight yarn, with each skein containing 92 to 100 yards (84 to 91 meters). The total yardage requirement is approximately 460 to 500 yards, depending on the specific yarn chosen and individual gauge.

Laurie Beardsley recommends selecting yarn with excellent drape qualities, such as merino and nylon blends or merino and silk blends. These fiber combinations provide the fluid movement necessary for the cowl to hang beautifully. You have flexibility in your yarn selection: you may use either a coordinated set of mini skeins in a gradient color progression, or alternatively, a single 400-yard skein that has been dyed as a gradient, allowing for creative color play throughout the finished piece.

Tools and Notions

• US E (3.5 mm) crochet hook – the primary tool for constructing the cowl
• Removable stitch marker – for tracking rounds and pattern repeats
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in yarn ends upon completion
• Blocking supplies – essential for achieving the proper gauge and final drape of the finished cowl

Gauge and Sizing Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 single crochets equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in the swirl pattern, measured after blocking. While gauge is noted as not critical for this project, it will directly affect the total yardage consumed, the final dimensions of the cowl, and the overall drape characteristics of the finished piece. Blocking is an important finishing step that helps set the lace pattern and achieve the intended fabric behavior.

Skill Level

Designed as a beginner-friendly project, The Sky is Crying cowl is accessible to crocheters new to the craft while remaining engaging for experienced makers. The straightforward single-motif pattern and in-the-round construction method provide an excellent foundation for developing fundamental crochet skills without overwhelming complexity.