Deco Fan Crochet Cowl Free Pattern

Deco Fan Crochet Cowl Free Pattern

Introduction

This Deco Fan Cowl is a wonderfully forgiving project for anyone who has just learned to crochet in the round. Worked as one seamless tube, it uses simple three-double-crochet clusters separated by little chain spaces to build a repeating fan motif that echoes classic Art Deco design. The alternating navy and white stripes make the pattern pop without any complicated color changes, and the worsted weight yarn works up quickly into a cozy, drapey accessory. Slip it on over a sweater or a plain tee and it instantly looks polished, while feeling soft and warm around your neck.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) acrylic yarn — approximately 200 yards (183 m) navy and 100 yards (91 m) white.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
• Finished size: Approximately 24 inches (61 cm) circumference and 10 inches (25 cm) tall.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn over the hook and pull it through.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops on the hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sk — skip: leave the next stitch unworked.
• sp — space: the gap created by a chain.
• beg — beginning.
• rep — repeat.

Gauge

12 stitches and 8 rows in the fan pattern = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in the round and measure across the middle of the fabric; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.

Tips Before You Start

• When you join the starting chain into a ring, check carefully that it isn't twisted — a twist here can't be fixed later.
• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you always know where to join.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a round for a clean transition.
• Keep your chain-1 spaces loose and even; tight gaps flatten the fan motif.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cowl (worked in the round)

With navy, ch 72, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to white.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to navy.

Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to white.

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to navy.

Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 15: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 16: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to white.

Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 18: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc).

Rnd 19: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (18 groups of 3 dc). Change to navy.

Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming — the cowl is worked as one continuous tube. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail through several stitches in its own color so it blends in. Block gently by misting with water and patting into shape, or steam lightly, then lay flat to dry, keeping the tube straight so the stripes stay even.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap navy and white for any two contrasting colors, or use a self-striping yarn for a different look.
• Add extra repeats of Rnds 8–10 to make a taller, snuggier cowl.
• Work a final round of sc in a third accent color for a crisp contrast edge.