Clearwater Cowl in Lion Brand Color Waves - L60029 - Downloadable PDF

Clearwater Cowl in Lion Brand Color Waves – Free Crochet Pattern L60029

The Clearwater Cowl is a free downloadable crochet pattern designed by Teresa Chorzepa and published by Lion Brand Yarn under pattern number L60029. This generously sized, one-piece cowl is worked in joined and turned rounds, producing a tall, wrap-worthy accessory with a finished circumference of approximately 29 inches (73.5 cm) and a finished height of approximately 19 inches (48.5 cm), not including fringe. The result is a cozy, statement cowl that can be styled multiple ways — worn loosely draped, doubled up, or pulled up as a hood.

Skill Level and Accessibility

This pattern is rated Easy (Level 2), making it an excellent project for beginner crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and working in the round. The construction is straightforward — worked entirely in one piece with a simple stitch repeat — so it builds confidence while producing a polished, professional-looking finished item. The two-color design adds visual interest without requiring complex colorwork techniques, since each color is used for a full half of the cowl rather than being alternated row by row.

Techniques Used

• Working in joined and turned rounds: The cowl is constructed in one continuous piece. At the end of each round, the last stitch is joined to the first stitch with a slip stitch, and the work is then turned before beginning the next round. This turning technique creates a distinctive fabric texture and helps the stitch pattern read cleanly on both sides.
• Two-color construction: The first half of the cowl is worked entirely with Color A (Deep Blue Sea), and the second half is worked entirely with Color B (Newsprint). This simple color-blocking approach requires no complicated yarn carries or floats.
• Fringe: The finished cowl is embellished with fringe, adding length and a relaxed, bohemian feel to the finished accessory.
• Optional flat start: For crocheters who find it difficult to join a beginning chain into a ring without twisting, the pattern offers an alternative method — working Round 1 as a flat row first and then joining it into a round. This helpful tip makes the pattern even more accessible to newer crafters.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (ch): Used to create the foundation chain that begins the cowl.
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds at the end of each completed round.
• Single crochet (sc): Used in the foundation setup of the cowl.
• Double crochet in back loop only (dc-blo): This is the primary stitch used throughout the body of the cowl. Working into the back loop only of each stitch — rather than through both loops — creates a ribbed, textured effect that gives the fabric elasticity and a distinctive ridged appearance. To execute this stitch, the yarn is wrapped over the hook, the hook is inserted into the back loop only of the indicated stitch, a loop is drawn up, and then the yarn is drawn through two loops on the hook twice to complete the double crochet.

Materials Required

• Lion Brand Color Waves (Article #595) — an 80% acrylic, 20% wool blend yarn in a DK weight, sold in 3.5 oz / 100 g pull skeins containing approximately 306 yards (280 m) each. Two colors are required:
  • Color A: 595-203 Deep Blue Sea — 1 ball
  • Color B: 595-214 Newsprint — 1 ball
• Lion Brand Crochet Hook, Size J-10 (6 mm)
• Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6) — used for weaving in ends and attaching fringe

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 11 stitches and 9 rounds = approximately 4 inches (10 cm) over Rounds 1–22 of