CROCHET A PRETTY COWL – A TWIST ON THE SCARF

I’ve been running across so many cowl patterns lately that it MUST be a trend. I’m not one who is usually ‘up’ on trends, especially fashion trends. But, for what it’s worth, I like using a cowl on cold, wintry days to keep my neck warm. Other scarves work well too, but these add a bit of color around the neck without much bulk, and can be used as ‘jewelry’ too – embellishing a simple sweater or even a sweatshirt.

Since these lovely cowls typically use small amounts of yarn, this is an opportunity to splurge on a skein of that special yarn you’ve been yearning for. It’s also an opportunity to use up some odds and ends you might have on hand. Since they work up so quickly, make some for yourself and as warming winter gifts for friends and loved ones.

Check out these freebies I’ve run across.

This first one is from a lovely blog written in Scotland. Be aware of the variations in stitch terminology. Check here for clarification:

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/includes/chart_crochetterms.php

zig zag cowl 1019

http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/search/label/Crochet

Crochet Me offers this lovely freebie – really simple to make:

Flexi cowl CrochetMe

http://crochetme.com/patterns/flexi-cowl

If you have some vintage buttons or a pretty antique broach, use it to accent this cowl. Oh, by the way, you’ll actually need a long neck for this one! LOL. Not for me. But, it’s really pretty, isn’t it?

http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/433

Finally, there’s my all time favorite cowl – the simple Moebius. Use any weight yarn, any size hook, any soft fiber. Here’s one that two of our CrochetPartners offer:

Design concept by Mirjam Bruck Cohen, Israel Written by Bonnie Pierce, USA

http://home.comcast.net/~gandal195/MoebiusShawlPattern.htm

And, the absolutely easiest one of all is this freebie:

http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-absolutely-easy-neck-warmer/

Read These Next

Human brains are pretty amazing, allowing us to think, feel, create, communicate, move and more. But humans aren’t the only animals with cool brains, as Crab Museum explains in the book The No-Brainer Brain Explainer (illustrated by Bruno Valasse).

This book, aimed at kids in grades 1-4, is colorful and silly but also educational about how brains actually work, with billions of neurons sending electrical and chemical signals around the body.

“Everything we think, feel and experience comes from an electrical relay race, with neurons passing chemical batons to each other,” the book says. “The constant chatter of billions of brain cells creates your entire world.”

The book compares the brains of mammals to those of crabs (the book is “written” by a crab after all) and notes that crabs have fewer neurons and of course are much smaller, but they have separate parts of their brains that control their eyes and their legs. Crabs are also capable of remembering things, using tools and solving puzzles.

Some animals’ brains allow them to know more about their world in different ways from humans, such as spiders being sensitive to vibrations in their webs and catfish having an amazing sense of taste, with taste sensors all over their bodies.

It notes that 95 percent of brain activity goes toward things we do unconsciously, like breathing, walking and catching a ball flying toward us. It also talks about dreams, memory, how our emotions try to predict the future, where brains came from and fun facts about brains. For example, did you know a sperm whale is believed to have the biggest brain of any creature that’s even lived? Their brains weigh 18 pounds, compared to just 2.5 pounds for humans.

Information on what creatures have the smallest brains, the toughest brains, the most brains and those who actually eat their own brains will delight kids (and maybe gross them out a little bit). They’ll also enjoy learning about the mycelium network of fungi, which is like a brain without a body, and slime molds, which are like a brain without a brain.

It ends talking about why human brains are so special because we’ve found ways to work together, communicate and build communities on a scale bigger than any other animal.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this colorful, silly and informational book about brains!

About the book: 64 pages, hardcover. Published 2026 by Wide Eyed Editions. Suggested retail price $19.99.

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Have you read?