You are now viewing the Mermaid Scales Cowl and Headband Set by guest designer Allison Bostrom.
There have been so many beautiful, drapey cowl patterns published in the last few years. They are magnificent and the perfect light layer for a fall day, but when it is cold and blustery, I want something a little sturdier to keep my poor neck warm!
The Mermaid Scales Cowl was designed for that purpose – rather than pooling around your neck, this cowl stands up above your coat collar to block the wind. The best part? You still get a fun and engaging stitch pattern, with shell stitch mermaid scales peeking out from between zigzagging post stitches. And while you have the yarn lying around, why not make a matching headband? The headband is just a miniature version of the cowl, so once you master the pattern repeat, you can crank out a cute matching set in no time!
Find more: Cowl FREE Crochet Patterns.
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Pattern Overview
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About the Mermaid Scales Cowl and Headband Set
The Mermaid Scales Cowl and Headband Set is a quick and cozy winter wear set made with bulky yarn. The headband is available in sizes adult S/M (21-22.5″) and L (23-24″), and the cowl is one size. Shell stitches and post stitches combine to make the fun mermaid scale texture of these pieces.
Project level: Intermediate
Materials
Crochet Hook Size
Size 8 mm / US: L – 11 / UK: 0 for cowl
Size 6.5 mm / US: K – 10.5 / UK: 3 for headband
Yarn
- Yarn
- Loops & Threads – Barcelona Dulce in color Stardust
- Weight
- 5 Bulky Yarn
- Fiber
- 100% acrylic
Yarn amount needed:
| Color | Grams | Meters | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowl | 73 | 110 | 120 |
| Headband | 32-36 | 50-55 | 55-60 |
Other Materials Needed
Gauge
Measured over half double crochet stitches crocheted in rows:
12 stitches & 9 rows per 11.5 cm / 4.5".
With US K/6.5 mm/UK 3 hook:
If your swatch is not quite square, width is more important than height!
Crochet Pattern Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measure at least 11.5 x 11.5 cm / 4.5 x 4.5 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger (more details).
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- This pattern is written for 2 sizes, however size adjustments are suggested under the heading “Size & Measurements”.
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis. For the headband, the stitch counts will be listed as (S/M) (L) to avoid confusion.
- You may start your piece with either a foundation chain or foundation half double crochet. Some of my testers found that they appreciated the extra stretchiness from the FHDC start.
Sizes and Measurements
COWL:
Width: 13.25″
Height: 6″
HEADBAND:
Width: 10" (S/M), 11.5" (L)
Height: 3.5″
Size Adjustments
- Add/subtract multiples of 7 stitches to change circumference.
Abbreviations
- ch = chain (s)
- dc = double crochet
- FHDC = foundation half double crochet
- FO = fasten off
- Fpdc2tog = front post double crochet two together
- Fptr = front post treble crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- rep = repeat
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Stitches You Will Need
Fpdc2tog – In this pattern, you will be completing a fpdc2tog over two post stitches from the previous round. You work this as follows:
- Make a fpdc around the post of the first indicated stitch, stopping before the very last yarn over (two loops on hook).
- Keeping those loops on the hook, begin another fpdc around post of second indicated st, again stopping before the last yarn over (three loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all three loops.
Instructions for the Mermaid Scales Cowl and Headband Set
COWL:
With L hook, ch 63. Sl st to first ch to join (be careful not to twist the chain).
Alternate start (see Notes): FHDC 63. Sl st to first st to join, being careful not to twist. This counts as Round 1 – proceed to Round 2.
Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in same ch as join and in each ch around. Sl st to first st to join. (63)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sk 2 sts, fptr in next st, 4 dc in next st, fptr in same st, sk 2 sts^, sc in next st. Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (9 sc, 18 fptr, 36 dc)
Round 3: Sl st in next st, ch 1, hdc in same st as sl st, *sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next st, fpdc2tog in same st and next fptr^ (sk sc in between; see Photo 1), hdc in same fptr (behind st just made; see Photo 2). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (18 hdc, 36 sc, 9 fpdc2tog)
Photo note: I crochet lefty. The picture is flipped for righties, but the instructions are the same!
Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog (see Photos 3 and 4), sk 3 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog^, 4 dc in fpdc2tog (see Photos 5 and 6). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. 3 dc in same st as join, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (18 fptr, 9 sc, 36 dc)
Round 5: Sl st in next st, ch 1, hdc in same st as sl st, *fpdc2tog in same st and next fptr (sk sc in between; see Photo 1), hdc in same fptr (behind st just made; see Photo 2), sc in next 4 sts^, hdc in next st. Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (18 hdc, 36 sc, 9 fpdc2tog)
Round 6: Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as dc), *fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog (see Photos 3 and 4), sk 3 sts, sc in next st, sk 3 sts, fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog^, 4 dc in fpdc2tog (see Photos 5 and 6). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. 3 dc in same st as join. Sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (18 fptr, 9 sc, 36 dc)
Rounds 7-10: Repeat Rounds 5-6 two more times.
Round 11: Repeat Round 5.
FO and weave in ends.
HEADBAND:
For size S/M: With K hook, ch 56 (keep the chain on the loose side). Sl st to first ch to join (be careful not to twist the chain).
For size L: With K hook, ch 63 (keep the chain on the loose side). Sl st to first ch to join (be careful not to twist the chain).
Alternate start (see Notes): FHDC the number required for your size. Sl st to first st to join, being careful not to twist. This counts as Round 1 – proceed to Round 2.
All sizes:
Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in same ch as join and in each ch around. Sl st to first st to join. (56) (63)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sk 2 sts, fptr in next st, 4 dc in next st, fptr in same st, sk 2 sts^, sc in next st. Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (8 sc, 16 fptr, 32 dc) (9 sc, 18 fptr, 36 dc)
Round 3: Sl st in next st, ch 1, hdc in same st as sl st, *sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next st, fpdc2tog in same st and next fptr^ (sk sc in between; see Photo 1), hdc in same fptr (behind st just made; see Photo 2). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (16 hdc, 32 sc, 8 fpdc2tog) (18 hdc, 36 sc, 9 fpdc2tog)
Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog (see Photos 3 and 4), sk 3 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog^, 4 dc in fpdc2tog (see Photos 5 and 6). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. 3 dc in same st as join, sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (16 fptr, 8 sc, 32 dc) (18 fptr, 9 sc, 36 dc)
Round 5: Sl st in next st, ch 1, hdc in same st as sl st, *fpdc2tog in same st and next fptr (sk sc in between; see Photo 1), hdc in same fptr (behind st just made; see Photo 2), sc in next 4 sts^, hdc in next st. Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. Sl st to first st to join. (16 hdc, 32 sc, 8 fpdc2tog) (18 hdc, 36 sc, 9 fpdc2tog)
Round 6: Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as dc), *fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog (see Photos 3 and 4), sk 3 sts, sc in next st, sk 3 sts, fptr around next “leg” of fpdc2tog^, 4 dc in fpdc2tog (see Photos 5 and 6). Rep from * around, ending last rep at ^. 3 dc in same st as join. Sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (16 fptr, 8 sc, 32 dc) (18 fptr, 9 sc, 36 dc)
Round 7: Rep Round 5. (16 hdc, 32 sc, 8 fpdc2tog) (18 hdc, 36 sc, 9 fpdc2tog)
FO and weave in ends.
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