This modern granny spiked cowl is a simple crochet project that can easily be finished in a weekend. It uses a simple granny stripe stitch with a slight alteration – a spike! A spiked treble is simply a treble that is worked into the top of a stitch two rows below. If you’re unsure of what this means, the images below should help to explain it more clearly. You will see the term ‘spk tr’ wherever you need to work this stitch. All stitches are in UK terms. I have used Debbie Bliss Rialto DK for this cowl because it is so soft and squishy! You can find this yarn online at www.yummyyarnandco.com.au There are lots of delicious colours for you to choose from. Have fun!!
What you’ll need –
- Debbie Bliss Rialto DK – Yarn A (White), Yarn B (Petunia), Yarn C (Grey), Yarn D (Tangerine)
- 4mm, 3.5mm crochet hook
- yarn needle
- scissors
- measures approx 15cm wide and 105cm around
Stitch Guide
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble
- skp tr – spiked treble stitch
You’ll be working in rows to create your granny spike cowl. Once you have finished your rows, you will twist the cowl before joining.
To start, make a slip knot with the yarn A and using the 4mm hook and ch172 – Foundation ch. Feel free to chain an few extra stitches if you’re not sure you’ve counted correctly. You can always undo them at the end. If you’d like your cowl longer or shorter, alter your number of chains in the foundation row and sticking to multiples of 4.
- First Row – tr into the 4th ch from the hook, tr into the next st (counts as 3tr). * Ch1, skip a ch and work 1tr into the next 3 ch, ch1. Repeat from * until you reach the end of the row.
- Second Row – Attach Yarn B and cut Yarn A leaving a generous tail (You will be using the tail to attach one end to the other to form a cowl). Ch4 (counts as 1tr, ch1) and then work (tr, spk tr, tr) into the next ch-1 sp : t0 create the spiked treble, the middle tr is worked into the empty ch from the foundation ch below (see image below) In the following rows the spk tr will be worked into the top of the middle tr from 2 rows below. * Ch1, (tr, spk tr, tr) into the next ch1 sp. Repeat from * to end. Ch1, tr into the top of intital ch3 from Row 1.
- Third Row – Attach Yarn C and cut yarn B leaving a generous tail. Ch3 (counts as first tr), tr into the middle tr (spk tr) from round one (see image), tr into same sp. * Ch1, (tr, spk tr, tr) into the next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to end.
- Forth Row – Attach Yarn D and cut yarn C leaving a generous tail. Ch4, (counts as 1tr, ch1) and then work (tr, spk tr, tr) into the ch-1 sp. * Ch1, (tr, spk tr) in each ch-1 sp across the row. Ch1, tr into the top of intital ch3 from Row 1. Finish with a tr into the top of the beg ch3 from the previous row.
- Fifth Row – Attach Yarn A and cut yarn D leaving a generous tail. Ch3 (counts as first tr), spk tr, tr into same sp. * Ch1, (tr, spk tr, tr) into the next ch1 sp. Repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 2 – 5 three more times and fasten off.
Making up the cowl
- Twist your work before laying the two ends side by side (see image)
- Using the generous tails, join the ends by threading a yarn needle and weaving them together. The cowl doesn’t have a designated right side, so twisting it won’t effect the design. You will notice that pink and orange don’t match up, but the grey and white will, making it almost seamless in appearance. If you want them to match exactly, don’t twist your cowl. I prefer a twist as it sits nicely.
- After you have joined your two ends, using your 3.5mm hook and Yarn A work a border of dc around the cowl. Attach Yarn A at the join, working over the top of the tr stitches first. Work 1dc into each tr and ch sp. When you get to the start of the foundation chain work 1dc into each ch stitch. Because the cowl is twisted, you will continue to work dcs until you reach where you began. SS into the intial dc and fasten off. All done!
Although the year is flying by i feel like i have accomplished a lot so far – we opened 
