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

[Heidi]

Hello Lucy. I am new to crochet, but am giving this a go. I must be doing something wrong, because with each row my work is getting wider. Please could you have a think and let me know what I am doing wrong?

Thank you.

[Beryl Nesbitt]

Just in time for us in Australia, our winter (such as it is!!) is due anytime from now.One of these neck warmers will keep the sea winds away on my morning walks. Thanks again for your great ideas.

[Kate]

I looooove it!

[elisa]

This is superduper......another one for my to hook list....do you think this stitch would be strong enough if I used cotton aran for a bag? Thanks Elisa xx

[ramthuntm11]

Thank you again Lucy for a great pattern...I love you blog as I've said before...my daughter will love it:-)

[Joanne Warburton]

I love it Lucy!!! you should publish a book with your patterns it would be a best seller:)

[Angie Moore]

your website is amazing and thanks for sharing your patterns, see you at Yarndale :-)

[Evie Richardson]

Just gorgeous Lucy! It's very 'you'. :)

[Janet Goff]

This is awesome! Such a smart way to use my leftover cotton scraps. So well written and easy to follow. The pictures are wonderful too! Thank you for sharing the pattern.

[Tory]

Can I just say, your entire website is so so so useful and just full of lovely ideas. So inspirational! ah I go crazy with creativity when I come on haha. Thankyou for sharing your patterns, ideas etc etc. :)

[Linda Pawlak]

Lucy,
Thank you so MUCH! It is because of you that I have rediscovered my love of crochet. I had gotten a large box of yarn on Freecycle. Unfortunately none of it was labeled as to fiber content, etc. and I hesitated to use it for making gifts. But, since this neck warmer will be all MINE, I am able to use a lot of the partial unidentified skeins. I am having such fun playing with the colors. They are not all my favorite colorss, but they were free and will work wonderfully to keep me warm...so it is all good! And though not my favorite colors (I prefer your color lines) it is still coming out really cute.

Thank you again for all you do, for all of us!

[Nicole]

Yay! I think my missing crochet mojo is returning after reading this blog post.

[MARGARCIMON]

Hi, LUCY!!! Sencillo y precioso. Gracias por el tutorial.
Besos y ¡a tejer!

[Libby]

Love this, can see myself making a few later in the year - would be so much more practical for the kids than scarves (would love to see how your dennis the menace one turns out - 2 rows of red, 2 rows of black...?)

[colette]

loooooovely...and with a tutorial...greeeeeeaaaat!.....I always need something around my neck...this will be my next project...thank you lucy !!!

[bimbi]

so lovely Lucy,
thank you for the tutorial :)

[paula]

Adorable! This would be a great gift for the teens for the holidays (no I will not say that word just jet as it is onlu April...but the wheels are turning!). Alway wonderful tutorials, as well!). Thanks for sharing another beautiful bit of fiber artistry!

[Kitty]

Very cute...

[Tina]

Wow! Helt underbar! Denna skall jag göra BUMS! Tack! Thankyou! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. Tina from Sweden

[JEANETTE]

I can see myself becoming addicted to making these ,so very pretty !

[Caroline]

Lucy thank you for sharing this pattern. I wish I had it to wear today here
in Seattle. I always enjoy your blog.

[Joy]

Gorgeous Lucy x

[Sonja]

It is looking warm and lovely! Good pattern - as always:)
I hate being cold in my neck, so I use Buff scarfs all the time during the winter season. Need to find the right yarn for this project...

[lazydaisyjones]

Thats so pretty and simple, thank you for sharing...
Daisy j x

[Rita]

Lucy, you are so clever! I love this neck-cozy-thingy, the colors are so FUN! Thank you for always sharing your gift.