Sofia by Meghan Kizer

This one skein cowl project was created to be an easy introduction to Tunisian crochet. Crocheted lengthwise, then picking up stitches on the side to add buttons, it can be adapted to any length or height you desire. A challenge for someone new to Tunisian crochet, or a quick project for the more seasoned crocheter, this cowl is a fun project for a crafter at any level.

Size

Finished size after blocking: 26” long and 6” wide

Yarn

Baah Shasta (100% wool – merino; 200 yards [182.88 meters]/100 grams): Lilac 1 skein. Project uses 175-185 yards.

Needles

6mm Tunisian crochet hook, with a 24” cable

Notions

Tapestry needle, three 1” buttons, thread that matches or coordinates with your yarn

Gauge

14 sts by 16 rows in honeycomb stitch after blocking = 4×4 inch square

Schematic

Abbreviations

Ch – Chain

St(s) – Stitch(es)

Yo – Yarn over

Tss – Tunisian simple stitch – With yarn in back of work, insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop

Tps – Tunisian purl stitch – With yarn in front of work, insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop

Tfs – Tunisian full stitch – Insert hook from front to back under horizontal bar between two stitches, yarn over and pull up a loop. Because tfs is worked between stitches, each row is offset.  You will insert your hook into the first gap between stitches on the first row and skip the last gap in the row to maintain your stitch count.  On the following row, you will skip the first gap and then add a Tfs into the last stitch gap in the row. Repeat like this throughout, skipping the first gap every other row (see chart for visual).
Rp – Return pass – Yo, pull through one loop, *yo, pull through two loops, repeat from * across until only one loop remains

Honeycomb Stitch – Row 1: [Tss, Tps], repeat across to end of row; Rp.  Row 2: [Tps, Tss], repeat across to end of row.

Pattern Notes

The cowl is crocheted lengthwise, then you’ll pick up stitches along the side to add the buttonholes.

Tunisian crochet consists of both a forward and a return pass. Always work the forward pass first, which is written in the pattern instructions, then the return pass.

Always skip vertical bar directly under your hook on the first stitch of the row to give a smooth edging to your cowl.

Chart

Chart Instructions:

~  = Return pass

Փ  = Tunisian full stitch (Tfs)

Chart Notes

Notice how the stitches are offset, with row 1 off to the right and row two off to the left. On the odd numbered rows, you will have a tfs in the first stitch after the hook, and you’ll skip the last stitch in the row. On the even numbered rows, you will skip the first stitch after the hook, and then you’ll have a tfs in the last stitch of the row.  This will keep your stitch count even across (though count frequently to make sure!)

Cowl

Main Section

Chain 90

Row 1: Tss in every st across; Rp

Rows 2, 4 and 6: Row 1 of Honeycomb Stitch; Rp

Rows 3, 5 and 7: Row 2 of Honeycomb Stitch; Rp

Rows 8-9: Tps in every st across; Rp

Rows 10-21: Tfs in every st across; Rp (Make sure to follow the written and chart instructions about offsetting the sts each row)

Rows 22-23: Tps in every st across; Rp

Rows 24, 26 and 28: Row 1 of Honeycomb Stitch; Rp

Rows 25 and 27: Row 2 of Honeycomb Stitch; Rp

Row 29 (“bind off” row): [Tps as normal but pull your yo through two loops instead of just one. Tss as normal but pull your yo through two loops instead of just one] Repeat across until end of row. You should only have one loop left, there is no return row this time.

Side Section

Turn work 90 degrees so that the short side nearest your hook is now horizontal.

Row 1: Pick up 26 loops evenly across the side; Rp

Rows 2-3: Tps in every st across; Rp

Row 4 (buttonholes): Tps 4, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, tps 4, ch 4, skip next 4 sts, tps 4, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, tps 4; Start your return pass as normal.  When you get to your chain sts, insert your hook from back to front through the chain st, yo and pull through the st. Repeat for each chain, then go back to your normal return pass (yo and pulling through two loops). Repeat this process throughout your return pass until you have one loop left.

Rows 5-6: Tps in every st across; Rp

Row 7 (“bind off” row): Tps as normal but pull your yo through two loops instead of just one. Repeat across to the end of the row until only one loop remains, then fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Wet block, pin to finished measurements, and let dry completely.

You’ll notice that the middle buttonhole is a bit wider than the other two. This was done to ensure that the buttons would be even across the side. If the middle hole is too big for you, you can get thread that matches your yarn and sew the edges of the buttonhole slightly so the width more closely matches the other two.  As long as you use the 1” buttons and matching thread, it shouldn’t show.