A free, fun and easy crochet cowl for all ages – The Emilia Cowl
The Emilia cowl is an easy and fun crochet project. Sized for ages 2-adult it makes a great mummy and me set which would make adorable gifts.
I saw the yarn I used for this cowl (Sirdar Soiree) in the reduced bin of my local yarn shop and knew immediately what I wanted to use it for! A CAL for a sectional cowl.
So I picked up 3 skeins in different shades… and then I went back and picked up a couple more skeins in different colours too!!
Inspiration behind the design
The Mixed Toffee Cowl is one of my favourite designs. And it was also my first! It is a great winter cowl as the stitches are so warm and look fabulous.
I wanted to repeat the idea behind the Mixed Toffee Cowl but create a great pattern that would be suitable for late winter / early spring wear. And this one fits the bill nicely!
A Quick Easy Crochet Cowl CAL
Originally released in January 2023 as a pattern to get you back into crocheting and making something after the busy holidays, I have decided to run this as a crochet along again in November 2025 … with video tutorials for each section!
The intention behind it was to:
- Help you use some of your part used skeins
- Help those who were burnt out from all of the Holiday makes find their crojo again with some simple stitch combos
- Introduce new crocheters to a crochet along
- Have some fun with stitches!
Format of the Emelia Cowl CAL:
This CAL will be a quick one – done and dusted in 5 days.
There are 3 parts and I have included the yardage for each part for the adult size here:
- Granny stitch section (113 yards of yarn)
- Lacey section (94 yards of yarn)
- Blossom section (96 yards of yarn)
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Where to go if you need help with the CAL
If you are having difficulty with the instructions or stitches the best place to go for help is my Facebook Community group. I am in and out of there several times a day usually and if I am not around there are lots of people who can help!
To join my FB group click the button below and be sure to answer the 3 joining questions!
Construction of this easy crochet cowl design
This easy crochet cowl is worked bottom up and in the round. It comes in 4 sizes:
- Age 2-4
- Age 4-10
- Teen
- Adult
You will have to pay attention to the instructions as some of the rounds need to be turned before you work them.
Other rounds need to be worked right side facing.
Both are noted in the pattern so be sure to look for these!
The Yarn
You can use whatever 4 weight yarn you prefer for your cowl in whatever fiber.
I used Sirdar Soiree for my cowl. As noted above I saw it in the reduced bin at my LYS and knew immediately what I would use it for.
Sirdar Soiree comes in 50g (120 yard) skeins and is not a heavy yarn – it feels how it looks, light and airy. And that glitter running throughout it is just too cute and adds a touch of sparkly elegance.
The fiber content of my chosen yarn is:
- 36% acrylic
- 30% wool
- 30% nylon
- 4% polyester (for the sparkle!)
Get the PDF pattern!
You can get the ad free version of this pattern pdf in any of my shops:
The pattern specifics:
Materials:
| · #4 weight yarn of your choosing – you will need approx. 113 yds in colour A (I used Sirdar Soiree in Moonbeam Silver), 94 yards in colour B (I used Sirdar Soiree candlelit rose) and 96 yards in Colour C (I used sirdar soiree in pretty pearl) · 5mm hook · Stitch markers (optional) · Scissors · Tapestry needle |
Gauge:
| 8 sts wide = 2”. Height is not important as you can make each section as tall as you would like. |
Sizing:
This pattern is written for several sizes. Note the dimensions below are approximate.
Age 2-3 – 23” circumference
Age 4-10 – 27” circumference
Teen – 29” circumference
Adult – 32” circumference
Abbreviations used:
| · Ch(s)–chain(s) · St(s)–stitch(es) · rep–repeat · sk—skip · Fhdc – foundation half double crochet · hdc– half double crochet · SC – single crochet · DC- double crochet · Hdcl – half double crochet cluster · SS – slip stitch · YO—yarn over · FO—fasten off · [] – everything noted between these is worked into the same st |
Other notes:
| · Written in US terms. · Ch1 stitches at the beginning do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. During the rounds they do count as a st. · Ch 3 at the beginning of the round does count as a st. · The stitch count remains the same for each row. · The stitch multiple to adjust the circumference for this pattern is 12 · Where pattern is different per size this will be shown as 2-3 (4-10 / teen / adult) |
Special Stitches:
Foundation half double crochet: You can find our tutorial on the foundation stitches (you will find the sc at about 14:20 mins into the videos below. I find this has a more aesthetically pleasing finish than the chain starts to projects and it gives the project more movement.
Right handed version – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPHOG4VIi_Q&t=109s
Left handed version – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqkTFzCja-A
Camel Stitch: This is also known as “third loop” hdc. To do this: YO, insert hook into the THIRD loop of the HDC from the previous row (this will be a horizontal bar below the two loops you normally work into. If working in the round, it will be on the INSIDE of your work). Pull through, YO and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Video tutorial – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUuktGH7tmw&t=121s
Half Double Crochet Cluster (hdcl): To work this stitch: YO, insert hook into indicated st, YO and pull through. * YO, insert hook into same st, YO and pull through. Rep from * twice more. YO and pull through all 9 loops on hook, ch 1 (counts as a st)
The Free Pattern:
Section 1: The Granny Stitch Section
The pattern for part 1:
Video Tutorials for Part 1:
I have full video tutorials for both right and left handed crocheters for this section.
- Right handed – https://youtu.be/KNRyfBnZ_lY
- Left handed – https://youtu.be/1Lsw5p6m1Ug
In colour A:
Round 1: FHDC 90 (108 / 120 / 132). Or ch 92 (110 / 122 / 134), work a hdc into third ch from hook and each ch across. Ss to join (90 (108 / 120 / 132))
Round 2: Ch1 (does not count), camel st in each st around. (See special Stitches for the camel st) SS to join.
Round 3: Ch3 (counts) , 2 dc in same st, sk2, *3 dc in next st, sk 2. Rep from * around. Ss to join
Round 4: CH3 (counts as a st), Turn, work 2 DC in the gap between the first and second sets of 3dc, *work 3dc in the next gap. Rep from * around. SS to join.
Rounds 5- (- / 6 / 7 / 8): Rep round 4
Round 6 (7 / 8 / 9): Note: make sure that your cowl is right side facing before starting this round. You may need to turn your work for some of the sizes.
Ch1 (does not count), hdc in each st around. SS to join. Note: for this round you will only be working into the top of the dc from the previous round and NOT the gaps between the stitches)
FO colour A
Section 2: The Lacy Section
Video Tutorials for Part 2:
I have full video tutorials for both right and left handed crocheters for this section.
Right handed – https://youtu.be/Whis-kFd1sw
Left handed – https://youtu.be/8B86h6HO_fw
The pattern for part 2:
In colour B:
Round 7 (8 / 9 / 10): Ch1, camel st in each st around. Ss to join
Round 8 (9 / 10 / 11): Ch 5 (counts as a dc, ch 2), dc in same st, sk 2, hdcl in next st (see special stitches), sk 2, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in next st, sk 2, hdcl in next st, sk 2. Rep from * around. Ss into top of ch 3 to join.
Round 9 (10 / 11 / 12): Ss into first ch2 space, *hdcl in ch2 sp, in next ch 1 (from the hdcl from the previous round) work (dc, ch 2 , dc) in same st. Rep from * around. Ss to join.
Round 10 (11-12 / 12-14 / 13-16): Rep rounds 8 (9 / 10 / 11) and 9 (10 / 11 / 12)
Round 11 (13 / 15 / 17): Ch1, *hdc in the hdcl from the previous round, hdc in the ch 1, hdc in the dc from the previous round, 2 hdc in the ch 2 space, hdc in the dc from the previous round. Rep from * around. Ss to join. (90 (108 / 120 / 132))
FO colour B
Part 3:
The Pattern for Part 3: Releases on Saturday 29th November 2025
Hi! I’m Helen
I live on the north-east coast of England, UK. I am a mum and wife and enjoy reading and quilting. I started crocheting at 14 years old.
Sunflower Cottage Crochet is dedicated to empowering crocheters of all levels. I provide modern, easy-to-follow crochet patterns and video tutorials that make learning new techniques simple and accessible. My mission is to empower crocheters in their creativity, enabling them to confidently create beautiful projects no matter where they’re at in their journey. Whether it's a beginner seeking out the basics or an experienced enthusiast looking to level up their skills. My vision is for every user to experience the joy of mastering creative expression through crochet!
