Painted Stripes One Hour Infinity Cowl (and Scarf)

Today I am sharing a super easy crochet pattern. It uses only chain and slip stitch, and requires no counting of rounds. I also created a video to teach the basic stitches involved and how to use them to crochet the cowl.

I crocheted this cowl like a Mobius strip, so it is worked from the center out. Each round actually works both edges, one after the other. Once you get started on this cowl you just keep going until you run out of yarn. It is very easy to do while watching TV - it's as mindless as it gets!

I was hanging out with two of my three grown sons while I was making this cowl. One of them is a philosophy major and the other will begin grad school this fall in physics. I was explaining to them that it was like a Mobius strip. This of course brought about a discussion about what adjective that would be. This is normal in just about any conversation with them! They asked if that means it's mobial? This of course sounded like mobile, which brought about some laughs. After some internet searches, my middle son declared that is indeed "mobial." So today you are not only learning how to crochet, you also learned a new word!

The cowl ends up with two different textures. As you crochet around the entire edge, you are working the outside for one half of the loop, and the inside for the other half. As a result, you can wear it two different ways!

Below you will find the written pattern and also a step-by-step photo tutorial. The video includes instruction on how to start crocheting, how to make a chain, and how to do a slip stitch - everything you need to make this cowl even if you have never before crocheted!

One Hour Infinity Scarf
Using the same instructions you can also make a one-hour infinity scarf! See variations below the pattern.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this pattern! If you make the cowl, share your pictures on Instagram using #yarnmare. Or just leave me comments below! Enjoy!

Painted Stripes One Hour Cowl

Crochet Pattern

The Painted Stripes Cowl is a very easy, beginner pattern. It uses only chain and slip stitch, and can be completed in about an hour using a bulky yarn and a large crochet hook. It is crocheted in the round with a half-twist, which means that once you get it started, you just keep crocheting around and around until it is done. No counting of stitches or rounds!

Notes

This cowl is crocheted in true infinity fashion. It is started by crocheting a chain and connecting it in the round with a half twist. Each round is worked on both edges of the cowl, like a mobius strip. Once started, the work just continues until the yarn is gone. Slip stitches give it a knit look.

Measurements

Finished cowl is approximately 11” (28 cm) wide and 24” (61 cm) around.

Materials

1 cake of Lion Brand Mandala Thick and Quick (5.3 oz/150 g; 87 yds/79 m). Examples are shown in #207 Tentacle 

Crochet Hook size Q/17 (15.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge

In slip stitch:

7 stitches = 4”

10 rows = 4”

Instructions are written using Standard US abbreviations.

Ch - chain

Sl st - slip stitch

Instructions

Ch 43. Slip stitch in back of first ch to make a loop. Chain will have ½ of a twist.

Rnd 1: Slip stitch in the back of each chain around loop. When you get to the last ch in loop, continue working in other loop of foundation chain. Slip stitch in each chain to end of foundation chain loop. 

When you get back to the starting knot, make sure you work behind the knot, working in the first sl st you crocheted. Continue working one sl st in top loop of each previous sl st. As you work around, always use the topmost loop. After the second round you will work consistently in the back loop because you will always be working on the front side of the round below.

Work until you have about 4-5” of yarn remaining. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Video Tutorial

In this video you will learn how to crochet a chain and a slip stitch and use it to make this cowl.

Step-by-step Tutorial

Step 1: You will need one cake of Lion Brand Mandala Thick and Quick and a size Q/17 (15.75 mm) crochet hook.

Step 2: Chain 43.

Step 3: Line up chain so it is not twisted, then twist it one-half a twist. Slip stitch into the back of first chain to form a loop.

Step 4: Continue to slip stitch in the top loop of the back of the chain. Make sure you see the back bump of each chain so it doesn’t twist more. When you get to the end of the loop you should be lined up with the beginning tail. Slip stitch in the other loop of each chain around.

Step 5: Continue to work one slip stitch in top loop of each stitch around. Once you get back to the beginning knot, make sure you work behind it to continue the round you are working.

Step 6: Keep going until you run out of yarn. Stop with a few inches of yarn, enough to fasten off and weave in.

You did it!

Painted Stripes One Hour Infinity Scarf

To make the infinity scarf, follow the same directions, but instead chain 88 to start. All other directions are the same. This will give you a scarf length that can be worn doubled like a cowl, or full length.

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare www.yarnmare.blogspot.com | facebook.com/yarnmare | Instagram @yarnmare The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. Please email yarnmare@gmail.com with any questions.