This free crochet pattern is Colorado Sunrise Cowl! I named it that because the colors I used remind me of a Colorado sunrise. The cowl is made with only a portion of the yarn in a 315 yds skeins of yarn. Quite literally, grab what yarn you have remaining form that blanket you just finished and begin 🙂 I used 4 colors for this particular cowl but you can use less or more it is totally up to you! The trick is to use whichever color you choose for at least 2 rows so that you get this fantastic chevron look.
The chevron look is accomplished by doing the Long Double Crochet Chevron Stitch Pattern. Not sure what that is? NO worries, I’ve done a YouTube Tutorial just for you! Here is a link to the written instructions for the basic long double crochet chevron stitch.
The yarn used in this free crochet pattern is Red Heart, “With Love” which comes in MANY different colors. Choose one that is right for you. This one is for my sister (she is the model) who looks just wonderful in these colors. My daughter wants me to make her one in pink and white so you might see on like that posted on here soon 🙂
Gentle reminder: It has just come to my attention that many people are unaware that free patterns still have copyrights and it is not legal to distribute. I ask that if you like the pattern and want to tell your friends that you share the link to the pattern. By doing so you are allowing me to make a little money via advertising which in turn makes it possible for me to keep designing fun and free patterns.
Thanks so much!
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Colorado Sunrise Cowl
PATTERN DETAILS
Measurements
Body of piece: 11″ long (folded in half) and 7 1/2″ wide (including trim).
Yarn
The yarn used for this project is a Worsted (CYC size 4)
Red Heart, “With Love” (100% acrylic, 315 yds/170g) — Order this yarn online today!
- Color A (CA): Mango
- Color B (CB): Iced Aqua
- Color C (CC): Tan
- Color D (CD): Candy Pink
Hook
5.5mm/I
Notions
Stitches Used (and YouTube Video links to help you learn)
- Chain Stitch (ch)
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Standing Single Crochet
- Double Crochet (dc)
- Crab Stitch (Reverse Single Crochet)
SPECIAL STITCH GUIDE
Long Double Crochet (Ldc): Work a double crochet (dc) in the st indicated one row below the previous row worked. This stitch will be worked around the previous row worked.
PATTERN
Using CA, chain 24.
Foundation Row 1: 3 double crochet (dc) in fourth ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as the first dc), *skip next 3 chs, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * to last 3 chs, dc in last ch–five 3-dc groups.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in space (sp) before the next 3-dc group [this stitch will be to the right of the next stitch you make], long double crochet (Ldc) in center skipped st one row below, dc in same sp before 30 dc group [this stitch will be to the left of the stitch you just made], *skip 3-dc group, dc in sp before next 3-dc, Ldc in in center skipped st one row below, dc in same sp before 3-dc group; rep from * across to last 4 dc, skip next 3-dc, dc in last dc–five 3-dc groups.
Change colors: change color to CB on last stitch of row, leave the old color hanging out and when it is time to rejoin with a new color float the old color up the side of the work to use it. Then continue on in pattern leaving the _new_ old color (CA) just hanging out. This is my preferred method and it is the one I show you in the youtube video. This method will create a LONG float at each color change along the side that can be hidden with the little trim.
Once you’ve changed colors you carry on in pattern which is SUPER SIMPLE! The next rows are almost exactly like row 2 with the only exception being that instead of working into the skipped ch from the row below you will work into the center dc of the 3-dc group in the row below.
Next 2 rows: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in space (sp) before the next 3-dc group [this stitch will be to the right of the next stitch you make], long double crochet (Ldc) in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 30 dc group [this stitch will be to the left of the stitch you just made], *skip 3-dc group, dc in sp before next 3-dc, Ldc in in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 3-dc group; rep from * across to last 4 dc, skip next 3-dc, dc in last dc.
Change colors: change color to CC on last stitch of row, leave the old color hanging out and when it is time to rejoin with a new color float the old color up the side of the work to use it. Then continue on in pattern leaving the _new_ old color (CB) just hanging out.
TIP: Since you are using two colors for this swatch the opposite color of yarn will be waiting for you at one end signalling that it is time to change colors. You can carry the yarn up the side creating floats, or cut the yarn color each time and join a new ball of yarn.
Next 2 rows: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in space (sp) before the next 3-dc group [this stitch will be to the right of the next stitch you make], long double crochet (Ldc) in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 30 dc group [this stitch will be to the left of the stitch you just made], *skip 3-dc group, dc in sp before next 3-dc, Ldc in in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 3-dc group; rep from * across to last 4 dc, skip next 3-dc, dc in last dc.
Change colors: change color to CD on last stitch of row, leave the old color hanging out and when it is time to rejoin with a new color float the old color up the side of the work to use it. Then continue on in pattern leaving the _new_ old color (CC) just hanging out.
Next 2 rows: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in space (sp) before the next 3-dc group [this stitch will be to the right of the next stitch you make], long double crochet (Ldc) in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 30 dc group [this stitch will be to the left of the stitch you just made], *skip 3-dc group, dc in sp before next 3-dc, Ldc in in center dc of 3-dc group one row below, dc in same sp before 3-dc group; rep from * across to last 4 dc, skip next 3-dc, dc in last dc.
Change colors: change color to CA on last stitch of row, leave the old color hanging out and when it is time to rejoin with a new color float the old color up the side of the work to use it. Then continue on in pattern leaving the _new_ old color just hanging out (CD). Continue in this established pattern changing colors every 2 rows in the same sequence. Finish with a second row of the CD when you’ve reached the desired length and proceed to the finishing instructions. Do not fasten off the last color as you will use it to seam the cowl. Cut the three other remaining colors leaving a 4-6″ tail. The sample cowl has a total of 6 full 4-color change repeats.
FINISHING
With wrong sides together join the working edge to the foundation chain with a slip stitch join.
Trim
The trim is worked into the edge stitches of the cowl and around the floats to hid them when necessary. Work the following instructions for each edge of the cowl.
Rnd 1: With CB, join yarn at any point on the cowls edge with a standing single crochet. Proceed to single crochet around the edge of the cowl working a total of 5 sc’s evenly spaced every two rows.
NOTE: If you find that doing fewer single crochets looks better for your cowl that is absolutely fine! As long as you are consistent that is all that matters.
TIP: Each color is worked only 2 rows so you can easily keep track of how many single crochets you’ve completed by only doing 5 in each color section.
When you are back to the standing single crochet join with a slip stitch to finish the round.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc around, join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn; working in the opposite direction do the crab stitch in each single crochet around, join with a slip stitch to the first rev. sc. Fasten off.
Repeat the trim instructions for the other edge of the cowl.
Weave in all loose ends.
Here is a video I did to help you with the Long Double Crochet Chevron Stitch
Looking for more? I love making quick projects and even wrote a leaflet with Leisure Arts on how to do some fun things! If you too are looking for fun and quick projects go and check out the One Skein or Less book by Marly Bird.
Sherrie says
December 31, 2014 at 8:45 pmBeautiful pattern!
Carolyn Martin says
December 31, 2014 at 9:52 pmthank you
Patricia B says
January 3, 2015 at 11:46 amI love the colors you used. So bright and sassy!! Thank you for sharing the pattern. Love ya’
Zouglounette says
January 5, 2015 at 4:58 amHappy new year & Best wishes ! Love
Bonne année et bonne santé et que cette année t’inspire beaucoup de nouvelles créations !
Bisous
Martha says
January 5, 2015 at 11:01 amI want to make the Colorado Sunrise Cowl for an adult. The pattern you demonstrate says for a child. Is there s specific pattern for adult?
MarlyBird135 says
January 5, 2015 at 11:30 amThe Sunrise Cowl is for an adult. The finished size is 22″ around. In the youtube tutorial for the stitch pattern I do mention that you could use it for a nice kids scarf or something like that but that does not apply to the cowl. I hope that helps.
Martha says
January 6, 2015 at 4:19 pmHow many rows to complete cowl?
Martha says
January 6, 2015 at 3:14 pmHow many rows are needed to finish the Sunrise Cowl ?
Martha says
January 7, 2015 at 7:53 amI went back and read the pattern and it clearly states that the cowl should be 11 inches when folded in half. I know this is an easy pattern, but I have a tendency to get confused. When folding the wrong sides together to join, that means to put the two short ends together, stitch across making like a seam, is that right? Then from there do I start working around the floating edges? Do you have a short video showing this step? So sorry to have to keep asking questions.
Sue says
March 8, 2015 at 6:53 amI would love to make a hat in this stitch. Would you have a patter for that?
Thanks for sharing this beautiful stitch!
xo