The Empire Cowls

The Empire Cowls by Aunt Janet's Designs

Project Overview

The Empire Cowls is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern designed by Janet Jameson for creating elegant cowl neckwear. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for crafting a stylish cowl using fundamental crochet techniques suitable for those new to the craft.

What Is Being Made

The Empire Cowls pattern creates a circular cowl neckpiece—a versatile garment that drapes around the neck and shoulders. The cowl is constructed in the round, beginning with a chain foundation that is joined into a continuous loop to form the tubular structure characteristic of cowl designs.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs foundational crochet techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The construction begins with chain stitches formed with careful attention to tension and stitch consistency. The pattern includes guidance for managing chain tension, suggesting the use of a larger hook size for the foundation chain if you tend to work tightly, then switching to the specified size for the body of the cowl. This technique helps ensure even tension throughout the finished piece.

The cowl is worked in continuous rounds using join techniques to create seamless transitions between rows. The pattern emphasizes proper joining methods using slip stitches to connect rounds and maintain structural integrity.

Stitches Used

• Chain Stitch (Ch): Forms the foundation of 145 chains, creating the base circumference for the cowl
• Double Crochet (dc): The primary stitch used throughout the pattern, worked into each chain stitch around the foundation
• Double Crochet Cluster (DCC): A special stitch technique that creates texture and visual interest. This stitch is formed by working multiple yarn overs and insertions into the same stitch location, building up loops on the hook before drawing through all loops simultaneously to create a clustered effect
• Slip Stitch: Used to join rounds and connect the pattern seamlessly

Materials Required

The Empire Cowls pattern calls for 7.1 ounces (200 grams) of worsted weight yarn, which is classified as aran weight yarn. This medium-weight yarn is ideal for creating cowls with good drape and warmth while remaining relatively quick to work up.

The pattern specifies use of an H crochet hook as the primary working hook size, with the option to use a size I hook (one size larger) for the initial chain foundation if needed to achieve consistent tension. This flexibility allows crafters to customize their approach based on their individual tension habits.

Pattern Structure

The foundation consists of 145 chain stitches joined into a ring, ensuring chains lie flat without twisting to prevent distortion in the finished cowl. Round 1 begins with a turning chain of 3 (which counts as the first double crochet) followed by double crochet stitches worked into each chain stitch around the entire circumference. The round is completed by joining with a slip stitch to the beginning chain-3.

The Uni-Wrap Version referenced in the pattern suggests variations or modifications available within the full PDF instructions for customizing the cowl's appearance or fit.