Broken Bricks Cowl

Broken Bricks Cowl is a loosely fitted Tunisian crochet cowl that is ideal for chilly autumn and winter days. It is the perfect stash buster project that can be made in a few evenings.  This makes an ideal project if you need to make a quick gift for loved ones.   

Β Last updated: 10/02/2024

You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.

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Please NOTE that this pattern is subject to copyright and is my intellectual property. The online version is for personal use only. Do not re-publish or sell this pattern in part or full, or make video tutorials of it. Any such actions are a breach of copyright and can result in legal action.

Skills required:

To create this beautiful Tunisian crochet cowl you will need to master (or already know) these stitches and techniques:

Chain, Tunisian crochet technique (alternating forward and backward passes), Tunisian simple stitch (tss), Tunisian purl stitch (tps), Tunisian knit stitch (tks), modified Tunisian front post double crochet stitch (mtfpdc), end row changing colours, binding off in Tunisian crochet, blocking, locking mattress stitch.

Skill level:

Finished measurements:

The final Tunisian crochet cowl measurements (blocked):

70 x 24 cm (approx. 27.5 x 9.5”)

Materials and tools:

To get the exact look as on the pictures of my Tunisian crochet cowl, you will need:

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash (100% Superwash Wool | worsted | 50 g (1.8 oz) = 101 m (110 yds)), Avocado (A) #26324 1 skein, Grass (B) #26328 1 skein, Oyster Heather (C) #26317 1 skein.

Tunisian crochet hook size 6 mm (J-10) and 7 mm with cable (at least 40 cm (16 in)) or size to obtain the gauge

Tapestry needle

Scissors

You can get your craft supplies here.

Gauge:

The Tunisian crochet cowl has got blocked gauge as follows:

6 (J-10) mm hook: 14 sts x 13 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in)

7 mm hook: 13 sts x 11 rows= 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in)

Gauge helps you to understand how the project turns out in terms of the final size. So if you would like to achieve the exact size of the final project as in the instructions above, you gauge needs to match exactly to the above.

If you get more stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hook size as per instructions, your final project will turn out smaller. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hooks size as per instructions, your final project will turn out bigger.

To make adjustments, if you get more stitches and/or rows, you can try using bigger hook size to get closer to the desired size. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows, you can try using smaller hook size to get closer to the desired size.

It may take trial and error to try out a few hook sizes to achieve the exact size.

Alternatively, if you really don’t want to make several samples to achieve the desired size, you can try to alter your tension as you work the project. However, I would advise to try this out once you master the basics of Tunisian crochet. Because it may be a bit tiresome to try to master the basics of Tunisian crochet and focus on alternating your tension at the same time.

If this Tunisian crochet cowl is your first Tunisian crochet project and are not sure if this project matches your skills, I have a Tunisian crochet masterclass tutorial that will jump-start your Tunisian crochet journey!

Stitch guide:

Tunisian crochet stitches are worked in forward and return pass from right to left, with the number of stitches (loops) increasing on the hook during the forward pass and decreasing during the return pass.

Return pass is worked in the same way for all stitches (rows of stitches) used in this project as follows:  1 ch, *yrh, draw through 2 loops on hook, rep from * until 1 loop on hook.

Edge stitches:

Right edge stitch- This is the first stitch and is not usually worked into because there is one loop on the hook left after completing the return pass of the previous row. This one loop corresponds to the first stitch of the new row.

Left edge stitch- This stitch is referred to in the pattern as the End Stitch (ES) and is crocheted as follows: Rotate the end of the fabric towards yourself, insert the hook under both bars (left and right) of the last st, yrh and pul.

  • First row of Tunisian crochet: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian simple stitch: Insert the hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian purl stitch: Bring yarn to the front on the work and hook, insert the hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian knit stitch: Insert the hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bar, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.
  • Modified Tunisian front post double crochet stitch: Yrh, insert the hook from right to left under the front and back vertical bars 2 rows below, yrh, pul, yrh, pull through 1 loop, yrh and pull through 2 loops on hook. Standard return pass.

Bind off: Insert hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh, pul and pull through the loop that is on the hook. One loop remains on the hook.

End row changing colours in Tunisian crochet: The new colour is added when finishing the return pass of the previous row and 2 loops are remaining on the hook. Yrh with the new colour and draw through 2 loops.

Notes:

The Tunisian crochet cowl is worked flat, RS facing from right to left, and assembled using the locking mattress stitch along the short sides of the project.

Instructions:

Cowl

With A and smaller hook, Chain 97.

Ribbing

Row 1 FP: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. 97 loops on hook.

Row 1 RP and all other RPs: Standard RP.

Row 2: *Tps, 2 tks; rep from * to last 3 sts, tps, tks, ES.

Rows 3-5: As Row 2.

Row 6 FP: As Row 2.

Row 6 RP: Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to B, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Colourwork

Change to larger hook.

Row 7 FP: Tss across to last st, ES.

Row 7 RP: Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to C, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Row 8 FP: As Row 7.

Row 8 RP: Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to B, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Row 9 FP: 3 Tss, *mtfpdc, 3 tss; rep from * to last st, ES.

Row 9 RP:  Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to C, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Row 10: As Row 8.

Row 11 FP: Tss, mtfpdc, *3 tss, mtfpdc; rep from * to last 2 sts, tss, ES.

Row 11 RP:  Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to A, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Row 12: As Row 7.

Row 13: As Row 8.

Row 14: As Row 7.

Row 15 FP: As Row 9.

Row 15 RP: Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to B, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Row 16: As Row 7.

Row 17:  As Row 11.

Row 18 FP: As Row 7.

Row 18 RP: Standard RP to last 2 lps on hook, change to B, yrh and draw through 2 lps.

Rows 19-23:  Rep rows 7-11 once.

Row 24 FP: As Row 7.

Row 24 RP: Standard RP.

Ribbing

Change to smaller hook.

Rows 25-28: Rep rows 2-5.

Row 29: As Row 2.

Row 30: Bind off.  

Finishing:

Weave in ends and block to final measurements.

Join two short sides by locking mattress stitch (See special techniques).

I would love to see and share your work on social media, use #brokenbrickscowl or #exquisitecrochetuk

Pattern support: exquisite.crochet.uk@gmail.com

Special techniques:

Locking Mattress Stitch

  1. Place the cowl RS down with edges aligned side by side. Stitches will be worked through the top lps of each edge.
  2. Start the seam by inserting the needle from left to right through the first stitches of both panels at the bottom.
  3. Move one stitch up on the right side, insert the needle from right to left and continue to the first stitch on the left side (the one already worked into).
  4. Move one stitch up on the left side, insert the needle from left to right and continue to the last stitch worked into on the right side.    
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to end.
  6. Weave in ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch- chain

st(s)- stitch(es)

ES- end stitch

tss- Tunisian simple stitch

tps- Tunisian purl stitch

tks- Tunisian knit stitch

yrh- yarn round the hook

lp(s)- loop(s)

pul- pull up a loop

RS- right side

FP- forward pass

RP- return pass

approx.- approximately

rep- repeat

mtfpdc – modified Tunisian front post double crochet stitch

Further resources:

Video tutorial:

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Did you enjoy the Broken Bricks Cowl pattern? Why not try my other Accessories patterns:

Watermelon Cowl

Dreamy Lucia Shawl

Puffs and Crosses Lace Shawl

Sienna Harvest Berry Shawl

Misty Sunrise Shawl

Ebun Hat and Ebun Cowl

Weave Me In Cowl

Thank you so much if you got this far in the pattern! I hope you got inspired for your own version using various colours. I can’t wait to see it! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and let me know in the comment section below how you got on with it! As always, if you have any pattern query, the quickest way to get it answered is by emailing me on the pattern support email address above.

Happy crocheting!

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