Highlander Cowl

Highlander Cowl by MADuNaier

What is Being Made

The Highlander Cowl is a crocheted cowl neck accessory designed to drape elegantly around the shoulders and neck. This piece measures 15-19 inches deep by 35-44 inches wide, making it a versatile garment that can be adjusted to personal preference. The cowl is worked in a single piece and creates a floppy, relaxed drape ideal for layering over sweaters or worn as a standalone statement accessory.

Techniques and Construction

The Highlander Cowl employs a specialized crochet technique developed through extensive experimentation by the designer. The pattern features what the designer has named the "LOVE TRIANGLE" stitch pattern—a distinctive stitch formation that creates triangular shapes when the piece is pinned out on a blocking board. This unique stitch pattern was specifically chosen to achieve the desired floppy drape characteristic of the finished cowl.

A critical element in achieving the correct fabric hand is the use of a Size Q (15.75mm) crochet hook. The designer notes that a smaller Size P (11.5mm) hook produced fabric that was too tight and did not create the desired drape. The larger hook size is essential to the pattern's success, allowing the yarn to work more loosely and create the flowing silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Highlander Cowl pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches as building blocks:

• Single crochet (sc) — the basic stitch foundation
• Chain (ch) — used for creating the structure and spacing
• Chain spaces (ch-sp) — openings created by chains that contribute to the lacy, draping quality

These stitches are combined within the LOVE TRIANGLE stitch pattern to create the distinctive texture and drape.

Materials and Yarn

The Highlander Cowl is worked in Super Bulky weight yarn, requiring approximately 140 yards total. The designer used 2 skeins of Premier Yarns "Mega Tweed" in the colorway "Brown Tweed" for the sample. Additional materials include a Size Q (15.75mm) crochet hook and a large yarn sewing needle for finishing.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the designer describes it as "probably the simplest pattern" they have written, the success of the project depends on understanding the specialized LOVE TRIANGLE stitch pattern and the importance of using the correct hook size to achieve proper drape. Crocheters with foundational knowledge of basic stitches and stitch pattern reading should be able to complete this project successfully.