I’ve been doing reviews of different Lion Brand yarns on my YouTube channel. For each yarn, I’m doing a knitted & crocheted swatch based on gauge swatch information given on the label. Then I’m making a project with each yarn. I feel that’s the best way for me to give a full review of the yarn. When I ordered the yarn I purchased enough of each for a small project – a hat, cowl, scarf, etc. For some reason I only ordered one of the Mako Cotton, which is only 125 yards of yarn. And now we’ve come full circle as to how I came up with the Broken Rows Cowl pattern! : )
Broken Rows Cowl
The yarn that prompted this pattern was the LB Collection Mako Cotton. I only ordered one skein in the color orange for some reason instead of 2 which would be better for a project. This yarn is very soft & I was really tempted to order more!
Currently I’ve put myself on a yarn diet because I have way too much yarn & I need to be making instead of buying. So, I looked through a few cowl patterns I had & realized all of them would take more than the 125 yards I had in the skein. I decided to fool around with it myself & see what I could come up with. And thus the Broken Rows Cowl was created!
I thought this was so simple & perfect for that random one skein we all end up with, that I decided to test it out in different yarn weights. The Mako Cotton is a #4 weight, so I picked out a skein of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for the second cowl. It’s a #6 weight & one skein still gives a nice size cowl.
You just have to change the beginning chain count for the different weights. The chain is worked in multiples of 20 & I’ll give you some guidelines in the pattern below. I’m working on a 3rd version in #2 weight yarn…
I got the chain twisted on this one & started to pull it out. Then I decided I’d keep going to see what it looks like twisted.
Pattern Tips
This pattern only has a two row repeat which you can repeat for as long as you like. It’s worked in the round with continuous stitches & has a 20 stitch count repeat. That means if you want it to be larger or you’re using a different weight of yarn, you would either add or subtract stitches in multiples of 20. I’m giving my recommended starting chain count for different weights of yarn, but this is definitely a pattern you can play around with to get just how you like it.
- #1 weight yarn, chain 140 for closer fit or 160 for looser fit
- #2 weight yarn, chain 120 for closer fit or 140 for looser fit
- #3 weight yarn, chain 100 for closer fit or 120 for looser fit
- #4 weight yarn, chain 80 for closer fit or 100 for looser fit
- #5 & #6 weight yarn, chain 60 for closer fit or 80 for looser fit
These counts are only recommendations & I used the lower count for all the yarns I’ve tested so far. I’ve made a cowl in #4 & #6 weight yarn & I’ve started one in #2 weight yarn. My original pattern below is for a #4 weight yarn & the counts will be for that size yarn. I used up one whole ball of the Mako Cotton {#4, 125 yards} for the first cowl & one whole ball of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick {#6, 87 yards} for the second cowl.
Since the repeat is continuous, it’s easy to just keep going until you use up your skein of yarn. If the skein has more yardage than listed, you may want to go with a chain count that gives you a looser fit, which can give a fuller effect.
Broken Rows Cowl Crochet Pattern
You can use this pattern for any weight of yarn. You can change the size by increasing/decreasing the beginning chain count by 20. I did 7 stitches + 3 stitches & 5 stitches + 5 stitches for the first repeat then 3 stitches + 7 stitches & 5 stitches + 5 stitches for the 2nd repeat. This alternates until the end of the row, then it’s the opposite on the next row. That’s what gives it the pattern in the crochet work & why you have to increase/decrease the beginning chain by 20.
Supplies Used
- 1 skein of LB Collection Mako Cotton, orange, #4 weight, 125 yards/115 meters, 1.75 oz/50 g
- I-9/5.5 mm hook – Use hook recommended on yarn label or recommended for yarn weight you are using.
- Darning needle for weaving in ends
Abbreviations
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
Pattern
row-1 ~ ch 80, sl st into first chain to form a loop, make sure the loop is not twisted
row-2 ~ ch 1, sc into joining chain & into the next 6 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 ch, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 3 ch, ch 7, skip next 7 ch, sc into next 5 ch, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 7 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 ch, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc in next 3 ch, ch 7, skip next 7 ch, sc into next 5 ch, ch 5
row-3 ~ sc into 1st sc of last row & next 2 ch, ch 7, skip next 4 sc & 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 3 sc & 4 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 3 sc, ch 7, skip next 4 sc & 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc into 3 sc & 4 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5
row-4 ~ sc into 1st sc of last row & next 6 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 3 sc, ch 7, skip next 4 sc & 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, skip next 5 ch, sc into next 3 sc & 4 ch, ch 3, skip next 3 ch, sc into next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next 5 ch, sc in next 3 ch, ch 7, skip next 4 sc & 3 ch, sc into next 5 ch, ch 5
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until cowl is the length you like. Weave in ends with darning needle.
I hope the tips above help y’all have fun with this pattern & use up some of those random skeins of yarn that may be in your stash. If you have any questions, please ask! Have a great weekend & remember to have a life lived creatively! : )
