Free Crochet Cowl Pattern: The Bamburgh Breeze is Perfect for Yarn Scraps

Do you have a basket (or five) of half-used skeins, colourful leftovers, and mysterious yarn scraps that deserve better than collecting dust? Same. That’s exactly how this crochet cowl pattern, the  Bamburgh Breeze Cowl, came to life—a lightweight, stash-busting beauty that turns yarn odds and ends into something truly special.

This free crochet cowl pattern is equal parts fun and practical. It was originally designed for the From Us to You Donation Challenge Event. It’s a project close to my heart that’s all about crafting for a cause. All of the patterns featured in this event are free to view on the blog posts.

Whether you’re making it for someone in need or just treating yourself to a quick win, this cowl is perfect.

Let’s dive in and talk stitches, yarn, sizing, and of course—colour play!

✨ About the Bamburgh Breeze Crochet Cowl Pattern

I live in the North East of England, only about 1 hour and 20 mins south of Edinburgh. This cowl was named after one of the castle we have here – Bamburgh. It’s right on the sand dunes and is absolutely stunning. Have you watched the Last Kingdom? The one about Utred? Bamburgh Castle is the castle that he spends his life trying to reclaim. Anyway ….

The Bamburgh Breeze Cowl is designed to be a little more lacy but still textured and cosy. It’s made in rows to create a rectangle that is joined. And it’s written in two sizes—Child and Adult—making it great for gifting or donating to all ages.

Now, I know I usually offer a full range of sizes for cowls, but because of the stitch multiple (the open wave is a bit of a diva like that), two sizes were the sweet spot for it being able to fit most. And because you work the main body as a rectangle you can make it as long as you need. So, for example, you could make the child size extra long turning it into an adult infinity scarf.

This crochet cowl pattern works up quickly and looks gorgeous in both solid and multicolour combos. Think tonal gradients, bright scraps, or even self-striping yarn magic. It’s totally up to you!

🧶 The Stitch: Open Wave Magic

The star of the show here is the Open Wave Stitch—a beautiful yet beginner-friendly stitch combo that creates a light, airy texture with tons of visual interest. If you’re comfortable with your basic stitches (hello, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet and chains!), you are more than ready to take this on.

This stitch is all about combining the basics to create something that looks fancy but is really quite easy. It’s also a dream to work with when you’re experimenting with colour changes. Those waves make your yarn scraps look like intentional art.

Want to build your confidence while still making something that turns heads? This stitch is your new best friend.

I have a blog post with written, photo and video tutorials on how to work this stitch step by step here.

🧵 Yarn + Hook Details

I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn for my samples, and it worked like a dream. It’s soft, easy to work with, and comes in a huge range of colours. So it’s perfect for mixing, matching, or going monochrome. I just love the vibrancy of the colours in this yarn. I wish we could get it here in the UK!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Yarn: #4 weight (aran) – Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn
• Hook: 5mm (H-8)
• Sizes: Child and Adult
• Skill Level: Confident beginner

You can absolutely substitute with any worsted-weight yarn you have in your stash. This project is meant to use up what you already have, after all!

Why not try making this one with #3 weight (DK) yarn and a 4mm hook for a more elegant drape? All you need to do is add 16 chains to your starting chain if you think that it will not be tall enough. If 16 chains will be too much height you can simply add an extra round or two or the edging on both sides.

🎨 A Stash-Busting Dream

This is one of those projects that welcomes your yarn scraps and part used skeins with open arms. The stitch pattern lends itself perfectly to colour changes, whether that’s bold stripes, gentle fades, or “whatever’s left in the bag” chic.

I can envisage these cowls in flag colours, a full rainbow of colour or a simple solid. But I have to say I do like the look of going with 3 different colours for this one. Ohhhh – what about some lovely bright jewel tones with every other section being a black to set them off?

You don’t have to overthink it! Let the colours do their thing, and you’ll end up with a cowl that’s full of personality.

Get the PDF Pattern

The free crochet cowl pattern is below (just keep scrolling. However, if you prefer you can purchase the ad-free pdf version of this pattern for a small fee.

**If you are here for the From Us to You event these buttons WILL NOT get you the free PDF Pattern. You will need to click the special event button below for that.

The From Us to You Free PDF Pattern

As part of the From Us to You event, you can get this pattern as a free pdf download for 3 days only. It runs from Wednesday 25th June 2025- Friday 27th June 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

To get the pdf click the button below. It will be waiting at the bottom of the next page for you to download to your device.

🧶 More Free Crochet Cowl Patterns You Might Like

If you’re loving the look and feel of this pattern, here are a few more that might inspire your next make:

• Pomander Cowl – A beautifully textured stitch combo that’s as fun to work as it is to wear. And it is written for 3 different yarn weights and several sizes!
• Houndstooth Earwarmer – A beginner-friendly two-tone pattern
• Rocky Ridges Tunisian Scarf – A masculine, modern texture using beginner Tunisian stitches
• Relaxing Waves Scarf – A simple stitch pattern with a soothing flow

There’s no such thing as too many handmade accessories, right?

📸 Don’t Forget to Share Your Makes!

Seeing your versions of my designs truly makes my day. If you make the Bamburgh Breeze Cowl (or any of my patterns), please share it on social media and tag me so I can cheer you on!

You can find me on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Use the hashtag: #BamburghBreezeCowl

Let’s fill the feed with colour, texture, and handmade joy!

🧶 The Free Crochet Cowl Pattern Specifics

Materials: 

•  Any 4 weight yarn of your choosing – I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn for my blue and white version.
• 5mm (H) hook 
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Measuring Tape
• 2 Stitch Markers (optional) – one for each of the first and last st if you prefer to mark those.

Gauge:

17 sts and 11 rows of main body (open wave) stitch per 4”

Sizing: 

This scarf is written for 2 sizes:

Abbreviations used:

Pattern Notes:

• Written in US terms.
• Stitch multiple for this pattern is 16 +2 for your starting chain.
• CH stitches at the beginning of each row do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. 
• CH sts that are not the turning chain to start the row do count as stitches.
• The stitch count remains the same for each row. They are given at the end of row 1 when each round maintains the same stitch count.
• Where pattern is different per size this will be shown as child (adult)
• You may find it easier to highlight or mark the stitch counts you need where these differ between sizes.
• Please read the pattern and ensure you are comfortable with it before starting your project.
• The main body of this cowl is worked in side to side rows as a rectangle. You then join the short sides together to create the cowl. The trim is added on at the end.
• There are 2 ways you can end your body of your cowl. 1. with a repeat of row 3 if changing colours every 2 ‘waves’. Or 2. on either row 3 or 6 if changing colours after each ‘wave’.
• I changed colours at the end of row 3 for my blue and white version. This gave me 2 sets of ‘waves’ per colour. It equally looks great if you change colours at the end of rows 3 and 6. This will give you one ‘wave’ per colour.
• This pattern is reversible.

Special stitches:

Treble Crochet: 

YO twice, insert hook into next st, YO and pull through, [YO and pull through 2 loops] 3 times. Stitch completed.

Back loop: The photo below shows you which loop is the back loop. 

Front Post half double crochet:

Yarn over (yo) and insert your hook from front to back between the posts of the first and second double crochet of the row below, and then from back to front again between the posts of the second and third stitches. The hook should now be positioned horizontally behind the double crochet that you’re working around. YO and pull the yarn around the post of the stitch. You now have 3 loops on your hook. YO and pull through all 3 loops on your hook. One front post half double crochet (FPhdc) is complete.

You can see this in my fpdc video 

Right handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmWe76Y4v08

Left handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biHxNSKo5Vw&t=2s

Back post half double crochet:

Yarn over (yo) and insert your hook from back to front between the posts of the first and second double crochet in the row below, and then from front to back again between the posts of the second and third stitches. The hook should now be positioned horizontally in front of the double crochet that you’re working around. Yarn over and pull the yarn around the post of the stitch. You now have 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. One back post half double crochet (BPhdc) completed.

You can see this in my bpdc video

Right handed video tutorial – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTPKAPQblkE

The Free Bamburgh Breeze Crochet Cowl Pattern:

** This is a free pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Main body of the cowl:

Row 1: Ch34 (50)

SC into second ch from hook and each ch across. (33 (49))

Row 2: Turn, Ch1, sc in first st, sc in next st, *ch1, sk1, hdc in next st, ch1, sk1, dc in next st, ch1, sk1, tc in next st, ch1, sk1, tc in next st, ch1, sk1, dc in next st, ch1, sk1, hdc in next st, ch1, sk1,** sc in next 3 sts* . Rep from * to * ending at ** when you will have 2 sts left. Sc in last 2 sts.

Row 3: Turn. Ch1, sc in first st and each st and ch1 sp across. 

Row 4: Turn. Ch1, sc BLO in first st and each st across.

Row 5: Turn. Ch5 (counts as tc), *tc in next st, ch1, sk1, dc in next st, ch1, sk1, hdc in next st, ch1, sk1, sc in next 3 sts, ch1, sk1, hdc in next st, ch1, sk1, dc in next st, ch1, sk1, tc in next st, ch1, sk1*. Rep from * to * across until you have 1 st left. Tc in last st.

Row 6: Rep row 3

Row 7: Rep row 4

Rows 8 on: Rep rows 2-7 until your work is 30 (35)” long. 

Note: Be sure to end on a row 3 or 6 and consider if you need to colour match the start and end of your work. (You will have only worked one wave instead of 2 before changing colour if you are doing 2 waves per colour).

Leave a long tail  18-20” and FO

Joining your sides:

Thread your tail through a tapestry needle and sew your ends together.

Note: you may want to pay attention to where your back loop ridge should be and only sew into the front or back loop of that side of your work accordingly to continue the texture. E.g if I need the ridge on the side facing me I would sew into the back loop only of the first set of stitches and then both loops on the other side.

FO and weave in ends

Edging around your cowl:

Now we will work the edging. This will be repeated on both sides.

In your colour of choice…

Round 1: Turn your cowl so you are working around one side. Attach your yarn that you will be using.  Ch1, Hdc evenly around the edge of your cowl ensuring you have an even number of sts around. SS to top of first hdc to join.

Note: I found that working 1 hdc in each sc and 3 hdc into each tc st around that worked well for me.

Round 2: Ch1, FPhdc in first st, BPhdc around next st, *FPhdc around next st, BPhdc around next st.*. Rep from * to * around. SS to join.

Round 3: Rep round 2.

FO and weave in ends.