Cosy Neck Warmer

This cosy neck warmer is constructed as a simple tube, formed by working rows which are actually worked as rounds (ie the beginning and the end of each row joins up), so no messy seams! And no stitching up! It's a super easy pattern where you only need to know one basic stitch :: double crochet (that's single crochet if you are across the pond). 

Before we begin, lets just clarify the stitches in words...I'm writing this pattern using UK crochet terms ::

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch).

For this project you need to choose your yarn carefully. This article will be worn very close to your skin and needs to feel delicious. Warm and soft. I chose a cotton/acrylic mix (Cotton On by James C Brett), a lovely soft DK weight yarn worked on a 4mm hook.

The colours are up to you :: multiple pretties or just a few. One colour if you like. If you work this pattern in just two alternating colours, you will produce a very interesting vertical stripe effect.

First of all, you need to make a starting chain. The neck warmer should be very slightly larger than your head so that you can pull it on without dragging your ears off. It does want to be cosy around your neck though, as opposed to drapey and baggy like a cowl. 

When you make your chain, count in 4's. The starting chain should be a multiple of 4, plus 1 extra for turning. To give you an idea, my chain was 93 (23 x 4 = 92 + 1), but I have a small head so don't be surprised if you need to make yours bigger.

Leave a 6 inch tail end when you make your chain, as you will use this to stitch the first row together.

:: Row 1 ::

Starting in the 2nd chain from hook, work a row of double crochet. Do a quick count and make sure you have the right number of stitches to work out of for the next row...it must be a multiple of 4. Do not fasten off.

Now bend your crochet round to form a ring, taking great care not to twist it. I cannot say this enough....check and double check and triple check that you have not twisted your work...the right side of the stitches should be facing ourtwards, and the top of the stitches should all be sitting sweetly along the top. You don't want to make a mobius strip!!

Insert your hook into the first stitch (as above) and make a slip stitch to join.

:: ROW 2 ::

Now check again (and again!) that the work is not twisted, then chain 1 and work 1 dc into the same stitch, then dc into the next stitch and chain 2 (as above). Now before we go any further,  we are going to stitch up the gap at the bottom of the work to close it.

Thread the tail end onto a darning needle, and stitch across the little gap between the beginning and end of the foundation chain/first row.

Try and make this join as neat as possible, with just a couple of stitches to fasten the two ends together.

The join should look almost invisible (above)

Darn the end in on the reverse of the work, running the end back and forth to make it secure.

Lay it out on the table (give it a little stretch if it is trying to curl on itself) and once again, just make sure you have a lovely ring with NO TWIST, and that all the stitches are sitting neatly along the top. Now we will carry on with the second row.....

:: ROW 2 (continued) ::

Skip 2 stitches, then dc twice, chain 2 

*Skip 2 stitches, then dc twice, chain 2*.

Repeat between ** until you come back around to the beginning. You should have 2 stitches left (as above) which will be "skipped stitches".

Make a slip stitch into top of first dc and fasten off.

You should now have a neat ring (which doesn't twist!)

Before you move onto the next row, you must darn in your ends. You will get into a muddle if you try and leave your ends dangling, trust me on this one. Darn them in securely on the reverse of the work, threading them first one way, then back on themselves the other way. Job done.

:: ROW 3 ::

This row is worked out of the chain-2 spaces from the previous row. Insert your hook into any chain 2 space....

....and pull a loop of the new colour through to the front. Now this might take a bit of practice if you're not used to it, but you aren't going to tie any knots here. Simply pull a loop through, leaving a tail end, and hold onto the tail end with your yarn/tension hand to keep it in place.

Make a chain 1 which should temporarily keep the yarn in place, then make sure the tail end sits horizontally along the top before you make any more stitches (as above)

Into the same chain space, work 3 dc, making sure your hook passes UNDER the tail end each time. This makes sure the tail end gets trapped under the dc stitches as you make them, keeping it secure. You will darn it in properly at the end.

Chain 2, then work 3dc into the next chain-2 space. Chain 2 (as above)

*Work 3dc in next chain-2 space, chain 2*

Repeat between ** until you come back round to the beginning.

Slip stitch into top of first dc, then fasten off.

Turn your work over and deal with your two tail ends.

The tail end that you crocheted over can be darned back on itself a few times....

....and the finishing tail end can be darned down through the stitches, first one way, then back on itself. These tail ends need to become invisible and completely secure.

You should have the beginnings of a pretty neat tube, with neatly darned in tail ends. It is fast work, you will be raring to go!

:: ROW 4 ::

Exactly the same as Row 3. Begin in any chain-2 space (try and stagger where you start so that the joins/darning in don't all happen in the same place)

Complete exactly as for Row 3 (3dc, chain 2, 3dc, chain 2 etc).

This stitch is so very simple and quick to work up, you will be whizzing upwards in no time. The size of the neck warmer is up to you, but it wants to have some substance to it, to be able to fold and ruche around your neck a little. As a guide, mine measures 28cm (58 dc/chain rows).

Your very last row should be the same colour as your starting row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF after the last row as you'll be working a very simple edging in the same colour.

 EDGING ROW 1

Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each of next 3 dc stitches (as above)

Work 2 dc into the chain-2 space.

*work 1dc into each of next 3 stitches, then 2dc into chain-2 space*

*repeat between **, then make a sl st into first dc to close round. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

 EDGING ROW 2

Chain 1, dc into first stitch. Chain 1.

*skip 1 stitch, dc into next stitch, chain 1*

Repeat between **

Slip stitch into first dc and fasten off.

Ta-dah!!!!

One cosy neck warmer, done and dusted. Slip it on over your head and enjoy it's snuggly warmth.

Wear it pulled up to keep off the outside chill.....

....or rolled over to add a little all-day comfort.

You will not want to take it off. It's cosy warm comfort is rather lovely.

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As with all my patterns, I totally love creating them and get a huge buzz out of sharing and inspiring. I am happy to give them for free, but I hope that if you've been inspired to give this pattern a go, that you might consider making a small donation to help support what I do here in the Attic. Thank you as always for your hooky love, it's very, very much appreciated.

 

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Comments

[Becky knowles]

Have you done a blanket in the same pattern please it is so nice x

[Munguia]

Thanks for sharing

[Elaine Adams]

The formatting of this pattern is not very good. A printable version would easier to work with.

[Charlotte Kerns]

I would like to have a printable pattern. love your patterns, but I need to have the pattern near while I work.

[Karen Clewer]

I made this in just two colours which gave a diagonal stripy pattern and with just two colours it meant that I only cut the wool at the end.

[Patricia]

Hello. Merci pour vos jolis modèles et votre envie de partage. Je reviens très tôt vous lire. Cordialement, Patricia

[Clare Barber]

Made this with variagated yarn so no ends to weave in. Has worked well. Just right for the season as it is warm when needed in the morning but small enough to go in my bag when it warms up. Only took a couple of evenings woork. Plan to make another using cashmerino yarn. Thanks for the pattern.

[kenneth]

can you make a EASY crochet tissue box cover sometime I'd really appreciate if you could thank you in advance

[Lourdes]

I'm knitting this neck in brown, beige and dark red. It's wonderfull. As soon as I finish I'll send you a photo. Thanks for your blog!

[Bugs]

Hello amazing blog
Am trying my hand at this neck warmer I am going wrong somewhere as I am getting a circular piece

[maria cristina da costa]

seu trabalho são maravilhoso agradeço muito compartilhar conosco amo square amei vc fez cobertor lindamente amei o padrão vou copiar e fazer amo
square demais colorido dá vida obrigada sou brazil rio de janeiro.

[Sue wilson]

Attic 24 - just an amazing place to go when everything around you gets too much.
The colours, patterns, ideas and photographs are a total joy !
Thank you Lucy - you inspire me so much.

[Yael Smith]

Hi Lucy,
I want to use this pattern as a blanket, could you give me ideas how to make it flat?

[Sian Thomas]

i love this and would like to get started, could you tell me how much wool is used in this version please?

[Robin Summers]

I have been just drooling to do a neck cosy using your pattern. The colors are just perfect and I know it will be just awesome with my coat since I hate to have the wind blowing up inside my hood leaving my neck and ears cold. Thanks as usual for your time and talent that you so unselfishly share with all of us. I just adore your blog and the colors that swirl all around you and your world. Lots of love from across the pond. xxxx

[Kacy (California, USA)]

I just love this Cosy. Every time I try to order the yarn they are out of one of the colors and since I live across the "pond" I want to make my shipping count. I will keep pursuing until I get all the colors. The colors are fabulous that you used.
Can you tell me how many skeins you used? And how many different colors? Lucy, you are so talented:) Thank YOU

[nicole]

I am always so inspired by your projects, Lucy. Always loving the colours, the patterns, and of course, the joy that exudes from you as you share your hooky colours with us. :)

I do have a question about your foundation chain. It appears to be a more substantial foundation than just a series of chain stitches. It appear to be a series of single crochet stitches along a length of yarn, but I worry that I mightn't be right. I have perused YouTube and other sources for an idea of what it is you might be doing, but I am wondering...

Is there a tutorial available for what you used as your foundation in this project? Is this the way you begin most of your projects?

Thanks in advance, and thanks for being such an inspiration. :)

- nicole (Ottawa, ON Canada)

[MARIA DEL PILAR FAJARDO]

thank you very much for sharing with us these wonderful and fantastic ideas, and at the same time, so easy to follow. I wish you and your family to enjoy life, lots of love. I´m glad to send you a big hug for let us have a smile in our faces when we read your stories and see your amazing photos. Mary- Barcelona.

[Emmy]

Heidi-

This happened to me, too. I believe it is because the 2 chains between each cluster makes the warmer stretch out too much. It may just be me (Lucy IS more experienced and has WONDERFUL patterns, and her neck warmer turned out great, of course!), but because I didn't want my neck warmer/bag to turn into a trapezoid, I decided to start only doing 1 chain between the clusters. It has worked for me!

[Emmy]

Thanks Lucy!

I will actually be using it to make a bag out of "plarn"- plastic bag yarn. I'll crochet the "neck warmer" and then sew up the bottom and add a flap and handles. Hopefully it works out. ;) I just love the way th stitching looks in this pattern, and since I'm hear in sunny Southeastern USA, we don't have tons of use for cozy neckwarmers, if you know what I mean :)

[Marcia]

Lucy, adoro seus trabalhos. Beijos.

[Eve]

I'm making this at the moment and I've never used so many colours for a piece! I love it!

PLEASE put this on Ravelry! I want to add it to my projects and upload pics and generally brag about how awesome a pattern AND tutorial this is! Xx

[Lynda M O]

Happy Mother's Day, Lucy, your dreams are coming true each day as you nurture your young family into life. So lovely of you to share it with us.

This neckwarmer looks delightfully easy and so beautiful in the pattern that even with only one color, a stunning one with shades, could become a stunner ~!~ I have a superwash merino wool 50gm hank which might be very pretty, in its own subtle way--You have-once again-given me lots to think about as I travel my way thru this delightful life, of which your blog has become a part.

[Lori]

Thank you Lucy..you are amazing! :)

[LUCIA ROSA GONZALEZ]

hermosas bellisimas.LUCIA(ARGENTINA)