I’ve gone off the deep end… those of you who care only for amigurumi will have to forgive me. My interest in not-amigurumi has increased, while my desire to continue making just amigurumi has dwindled. I have dabbled in practical things that while perhaps cute or quirky, don’t really fit with the theme of my website, and was left to wonder what to do with the patterns I whip up. It would be a shame I think to not post them just for the sake of maintaining an amigurumi theme, and I don’t have the time to build and maintain another site. So here you have it… a lacy Nerdigurumi cowl, based somewhat on the classic shell stitch.

This cowl was made with Kroy Sock yarn, a fingering weight wool and nylon yarn made by Paton’s (Spinrite), in the Clover colourway. I needed only one ball (125 metres) to complete the cowl. The yarn is a teensy bit itchy for my tastes but it’s definitely fine for net to the skin wear, and it’s light and easy to work with. The colourway ended up looking pretty awesome and has an earthy, fall Bohemian vibe to it.

Pattern Details
This was made in joined rounds using fingering weight (sock) yarn and a 5mm crochet hook for the entire pattern apart from the foundation chain which was made with a 5.5mm hook in order to keep it stretchy. This pattern does not have gauge so try to fit the initial CH around your head and add to it in increments of 8 CH until it’s the size you want. Count on needing around 125 meters of yarn for this pattern. Work this in back loop only for a loose, lacy and lighter fabric. This cowl is like a straight tube and does not graduate however because of the looseness and natural drape of the fabric, it slouches nicely. Blocking is highly recommended.

Terminology
CH = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
SL ST = Slip Stitch
DC = Double Crochet
SK = Skip

Cowl (start using 5.5mm crochet hook)
CH x 97 then join with a slip stitch. Sitch to 5mm crochet hook.
CH x 1 (this does not count as a stitch)
1. SC around; join then CH 1 (the CH will not count as a stitch) (96)
2. SC, CH then SC again in the same first stitch from the previous round; CH 1 and SK next 3 stitches; DC x 3, CH 1 then DC x 3 all in the same stitch from the previous round (the 6 DC go in the 5th stitch from the previous round); CH 1 and SK next 3 stitches; repeat that previous sequence 11 more times for a total of 12 times for the first round; join to first SC, SL ST once to hook into the CH that was sandwiched between the two Single Crochets from the previous round then CH 2 (this will count as the first DC of the next round) (96)
3 a. DC x 2 (in the CH that was between the two Single Crochets which you just joined); CH 1 and SK to the next step; SC, CH 1 then SC again in the CH that was between the two clusters of 3 Double Crochets from the previous round; CH 1 and SK to the next step; This completes the first sequence when a round starts with a DC cluster.
3 b. The following sequence is completed 11 times in total. DC x 3 then CH 1 then DC x 3 (in the CH that was between the two Single Crochets ); CH 1 and SK to the next step; SC, CH 1 then SC again in the CH that was between the two clusters of 3 Double Crochets from the previous round; CH 1 and SK to the next step;
3 c. In the same CH that the first 2 Double Crochets of 3 a. were worked, DC x 3 then CH 1 then join to first DC. CH x 1 (this will not count as a stitch for the net round) (96)
4. Repeat round 2. (96)
5. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
6. Repeat round 2. (96)
7. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
8. Repeat round 2. (96)
9. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
10. Repeat round 2. (96)
11. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
12. Repeat round 2. (96)
13. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
14. Repeat round 2. (96)
15. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)
16. Repeat round 2. (96)
17. Repeat round 3 steps a b and c. (96)

You can add more or use fewer repetitions to adjust the length of the cowl. Once finished join and weave in the end. It is highly recommended that you block your cowl in order to improve fabric drape and stitch definition.

Stitch count should be 96 not inclusive of CHs (unless pattern states they count as a stitch specifically) for every round however this is a very forgiving pattern that handles mistakes like a champ.