Nifty Gifty Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

Nifty Gifty Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet an Easy, Reversible Cowl – A Perfect Gift Pattern

While it may only be August while I type this up, a crafter knows that the time from August to December 25 flies.  Many a knitter and crocheter know the mad-dash feeling of mid-December when all the gifts you had hoped to finish are likely going to end up in the “finish for next Christmas” pile.

With a fresh resolution to not wait until the last minute, I’ve been starting my giftable knitting and crocheting nice and early this year, and I think you should, too!  So, what I’ve got for you today is the “Nifty Gifty Cowl,” which is a super-easy, fast and fun crochet pattern.  It is a perfect gift item because it is versatile, one-size-fits-all, and works up in a flash.

I personally love the look of this cowl with the “knit-look” stitches on the outside, but the texture of the other side is just as lovely, so it is truly reversible, and it works for just about anyone on your gift list (heck-you may even want to make one or two for yourself)!

What’s the fandom inspiration?  Well, there really isn’t one.  This is a fandom knitting and crochet blog, but sometimes, I just make stuff that is neutral and classic.  So, here we are.  The name, however, is fandom-inspired.  My favorite comedy series of all time is the American version of The Office, and there is an episode where Michael Scott hands out “Nifty Gifties” to his new employees, so there you have it.  I couldn’t truly go without any fandom references, now could I?

I hope you enjoy, favorite, queue, share, pin, etc.

*This post contains affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.  

Materials:
Gauge:

While gauge is not important for this project, my gauge was approximately 5 stitches and 5 rows = 4″

Finished Size:

Approximately 16.5″ wide by 10.5″ tall, unstretched

Instructions:

Chain 42.

Half-double crochet (hdc) in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each across.  Join with a slip stitch to the first hdc.  (*Note – you will have a small gap at the bottom of your first round.  You can sew that up with the tail from the beginning of your starting chain when you are done.)

Chain 1.  Hdc in the 3rd loop around.  Join with a slip stitch. (*Note – the 3rd loop is the loop right under/behind the back loop of your stitch.  See the image.)

Repeat the last round 10 more times.

Fasten off.  Weave in loose ends with the yarn needle, attaching the bottom of the first round with the tail from your starting chain.

Download a Printer-friendly pdf version of the pattern right here.

Want More Crochet Patterns?

Check out my other crochet patterns in the Crochet Patterns section of the blog right here.

Let’s Connect!

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Thanks for stopping by!

Crochet Pattern: Wizard School Spirit Beanie

Hogwarts house colors hat crochet pattern

Hogwarts-inspired Hat Crochet Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure policy here.

Harry Potter hat crochet pattern

Recently, I shared a free knitting pattern for the Wizard School Spirit Beanie.  It went over well, so, by popular demand, here’s a crochet version.  It is a bit different – this version is a little “slouchier,” which I think works nicely with the crochet stitches.  It retains the same Hogwarts Houses inspired design, this time worked up in Slytherin and Ravenclaw colors.

One tip as you are working on this – you don’t need to cut yarn on the color changes.  You can just carry the strands up with you.  Those strands will only show on the inside, and it will be all good from the outside and save you time weaving in unnecessary ends.

The pattern is a pretty easy one to work up, but you will need to know now to crochet in the back loops and the third loops.  If you aren’t familiar you can check out the tutorials I have linked here:

Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie (2)

The Pattern: Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie

  • Get the printer-friendly PDF download right HERE.
  • Pin for later to your Pinterest boards HERE.
  • Save to your Ravelry queue right HERE.
  • Read on for the free pattern below.

The samples I made are in the child (Slytherin colors) and adult sizes (Ravenclaw colors).  After working with the Heartland yarn, I decided to modify the recommended yarns to all Heartland, so the pictured Slytherin beanie isn’t in Heartland, but I assure you, it will look fabulous worked up in the Heartland shades.

Sizes:

To fit: 0-6 Months (6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult)

Materials:

Lion Brand Heartland Yarn in Main Color and Contrast Color

For the Hogwarts-inspired house colors, I recommend:

  • Ravenclaw: Glacier Bay or Lake Clark with Mammoth Cave
  • Slytherin: Kings Canyon and Mount Rainier
  • Hufflepuff: Yellowstone and Black Canyon
  • Gryffindor: Redwood and Yellowstone

Size H-8 Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

Gauge:

Approximately 15 stitches and 7 rows = 4″ in HDC

Abbreviations and Terms:

  • MC – Main color
  • CC – Contrast color
  • St – stitch
  • Ch – chain
  • HDC – half-double crochet
  • Back loop – work only through the back loop rather than the front and back loop of that stitch.
  • Third loop – work in the loop directly behind (and slightly below) the back loop.
  • ss – slip stitch
  • tog – together
Harry Potter Crochet Hat Pattern

Instructions:

Instructions are written for the smallest size with the larger sizes in the parentheses.

Band:

With MC, chain 8.

Row 1: HDC in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across.  Turn.

Row 2: HDC in the back loop of each HDC across.  Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the band measures 14 (16, 18, 19, 20) inches from the beginning.

Join the band with slip stitches to work in the round.

Hat ‘Body’:

Round 1: Working with the yarn still connected from the joining, you’ll now be working around the top edge of the band.  Chain 2.  Work HDC stitches evenly around the band.  You’ll want approximately 40 (48, 56, 64, 72) HDC stitches (or another multiple of 4 around there).  Join with ss.

Round 2: Ch 2. Work HDC in each HDC around.

Repeat Round 2 1 (1, 2, 2, 3) more times.

* Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work HDC through the third loops of each HDC around. Join with ss.

*Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work 1 round HDC through the third loop of each HDC around.  Join with ss.

Work 1 (1, 2, 2, 3) rounds of HDC through both loops as in normal HDC, joining rounds with ss.

* Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work HDC through the third loops of each HDC around. Join with ss.

*Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work 1 round HDC through the third loop of each HDC around.  Join with ss.

Work 0 (0, 0, 1, 2) rounds of HDC through both loops as in normal HDC, joining rounds with ss.

Decrease for Crown:

Round 1: (HDC 2, HDC 2tog) around.

Round 2: (HDC, HDC2 tog) around.

Round 3: HDC 2tog around.

Round 4: HDC 2tog around.

Finishing:

Fasten off.  Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.  Draw through the remaining stitches to close and secure the top of the hat.  Weave in all loose ends.

That’s it! You have yourself a lovely Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie! Now go ahead and make one in each house color. 🙂

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