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I love to get creative with my free crochet patterns. And when I got the idea to make a lovely cowl my little one (and maybe myself), I couldn’t wait to finish this easy Unicorn Cowl crochet pattern.

This pattern is written in US terms and primarily uses only one stitch, giving this hooded cowl a beautiful ribbed look, topped with a cute horn and mane! For a child size, you will need approximately 130 yards of yarn to complete the cowl, but it can be made longer in an adult size, if desired. Plus, this cowl is just perfect for the winter months ahead!

Easy Ribbed Unicorn Cowl Crochet Pattern for Kids or Adults

If you’re tired of the same old crochet patterns, this easy Unicorn cowl crochet pattern is one that you won’t be able to resist! It’s a simple pattern with beautiful results that works-up surprisingly fast. Because the stitches are basic in nature, it’s a great pattern to practice your basics, too, building your skills.

This easy crochet tutorial will walk you through exactly how to make your own unicorn cowl in no time at all.

This is a great pattern for beginners but also fun for the more experienced crocheter. And this is the perfect gift for anyone who loves crocheted items or loves unicorns (especially anyone who loves unicorns). You’ll need to know how to crochet in the round and basic stitches like single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). So go grab some yarn, hooks, and let’s get started on this cute Unicorn Cowl Crochet Pattern!

What Kind of Yarn Should You Use for a Hooded Cowl?

You’re probably wondering what kind of yarn to use when crocheting a hooded cowl for a child…well I recommend using an acrylic or acrylic blend mix to limit itching, but also hold up well to frequent machine or hand-washing. Because a child will be wearing it and the cowl will be white, washing must be considered in the yarn selection.

For the body of the cowl and hood, I used a skein of Caron One Pound because the yarn itself holds up well to wear from a child and is easy to work with. Plus, a worsted weight yarn works up fast, allowing for the ribbed pattern to stand out.

For the unicorn horn and mane, I could not resist using a coordinating set of Yarn Bee fine weight yarn. The color set I chose was the Goodness Grapefruit Yarn Bee Pigment + Fiber Yarn from Hobby Lobby, but any coordinating set will work. The soft colors in this set really just piqued my interest.

How Wide Should a Cowl Be for a Child?

The size of a cowl is a very personal choice in my honest opinion. Cowls can be comfortable if they fit snuggly around the neck like this one, or they can be made longer and fit a lot looser, allowing for the child to grow a little. For a smaller child seeking a more snug fit, a 4″-6″ wide cowl might have plenty of width. For the wider style, an 8″-12″ wide pattern would cover the neck and lay across the upper chest nicely in a tween or teen.

This particular cowl, as made for my child, is approximately 8″x11″ in height and width or 20×28 cm for the cowl portion and 11″x11″ in height and width or 28×28 cm for the hood portion.

How Much Yarn Will I Need to Make a Crochet Cowl?

This pattern uses approximately 270 yards of a worsted weight yarn for the body of the unicorn cowl and hood, and approximately 5 yards of a fine weight yarn for the horn on top of the unicorn hood. The amount of yarn needed will depend upon the yarn itself, the size you are making, and any extra accent motifs added to the edging of they cowl.

For the fringe, I used about 10 yards of a fine weight yarn in 4 colors, but the exact amount of yarn needed will depend on the length of the unicorn’s mane (fringe) and the number of colors you plan to include.

More Crochet Patterns

If you are interested in more great patterns, check out some of our other collections and patterns below. This list will give you tons of ideas for your next crochet project after you finish making the chrysalis pattern.

Free Crochet Hooded Cowl Pattern

Below you will find the notes and directions for making this crochet cowl pattern.

Size Assembled:

8″x11″ in height and width or 20×28 cm for the cowl portion

11″x11″ in height and width or 28×28 cm for the hood portion

Materials

Yarn for cowl and hood: 270 yards worsted weight yarn (White Caron One Pound acrylic yarn pictured) (Color A)
Crochet hook for cowl and hood: Size I/9 (5.25 mm)
Yarn for horn: 5 yards fine weight yarn (Gold from Goodness Grapefruit Yarn Bee Pigment + Fiber Yarn set pictured) (Color B)
Crochet hook for horn: Size G/7 (4.50 mm)
Yarn for fringe (mane): 10 yards fine weight yarn (2 shades of blue, and 2 shades of pink of Goodness Grapefruit Yarn Bee Pigment + Fiber Yarn set pictured)

Gauge:

In altered half double crochet, 12 stitches and 13 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)

Skill Level: Easy/Beginner

Pattern Notes

Pattern written for child’s size; changes for adult are in [ ].
Child’s version of this cowl is made slightly roomier than the adult version. The adult version is a bit snug to stay more upright on the neck.
Cowl is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join rounds unless specified.
The yarn used for these items contains natural fiber and requires special laundering. Please read yarn labels and follow directions to maintain the life of your crochet work.

Sizing

Child size head circumference: 17-19 in (43-48 cm)

Adult size head circumference: 21-23 in (53.3-58.4 cm)

Special Stitches

Half Double Crochet in Bottom Loop (Back Bar) of Foundation Chain:

Turn your foundation chain upside down and crochet in the row of single “bumps” or loops created on the bottom when you made the chain.

Half Double Crochet Between the Stitches:

Working from front of piece, yarn over, insert hook in row below (between stitches of previous row) and pull up a loop from back, yarn over (3 loops on hook) and pull through all loops on hook. One half double crochet between the stitches completed.

Half Double Crochet Between the Stitches Reverse:

Working from back of piece, yarn over, insert hook in row below (between stitches of previous row) and pull up a loop from front, yarn over (3 loops on hook) and pull through all loops on hook. One half double crochet between the stitches completed.

Directions

Using color A, chain 61 [65] slip stitch to join (do not twist piece).

Round 1

Working in bottom loop of foundation chain (see Special Stitches section for instructions), half double crochet in second chain from hook and each stitch of bottom loop of foundation chain to end of round, turn. (61 [65] stitches total) Do not slip stitch to join.

Rounds 2-19 [24]

Crochet altered half double crochet between stitches (see Special Stitches section for instructions), starting with first stitch of previous round and continue working in a spiral for indicated number of rounds. End of cowl. Do not tie off.

Row 20 [25] (Hood)

Ch 2, crochet altered half double crochet between stitches (see special stitches section for instructions), in next stitch and continue for 44 stitches total [50 stitches total], turn.

Row 21 [26]

Ch 2, crochet altered half double crochet between stitches in reverse (see special stitches section for instructions), in next stitch and continue for 44 stitches total [50 stitches total], turn.

Row 22-45 [27-55]

Repeat Rows 20-21 for 44 stitches total each row [50 stitches total]. Do not fasten off.

Close Hood:

Fold cowl and hood in half with sides of hood laying one on top of the other. Working from top of piece, insert hook in second stitch in row below through both sides of the hood top edge, yarn over, then pull through all loops on hook. One sc joining the two halves complete. Repeat sc joining the two halves of the hood top edge 4 times for 5 stitches total [7 stitches total]. Sl st 5 stitches on one side of the hood (leaving a hole in the top of the hood).

Repeat sc joining the two halve of the hood top edge to the end of the hood for 12 stitches total [15 stitches total].

Finish Hood:

Sc stitch in each stitch (not joining the two sides) of hood opening.

Fasten off.

Horn:

With Color B, st st to join at the front of the hole in the hood top. Working in the stitches around the hole in the hood top, sc 14 times [18 times]. Do not sl st to join.

Repeat working in the round, sc in each stitch for 4 rounds. Do no sl st to join. 14 total stitches [18 total stitches] each round.

Working in the round, [skip 1 stitch then sc in next 3 stitches], repeat for 2 rounds. 10 total stitches [13 total stitches] each round.

Working in the round, [skip 1 stitch then sc in next 2 stitches], repeat for 2 rounds. 6 total stitches [8 total stitches] each round.

Working in the round, [skip 1 stitch then sc in next stitch], repeat for 2 rounds. 3 total stitches [4 total stitches] each round.

Working in the round, skip 1 stitch then sc in next stitch, slip stitch each loose stitch to close horn.

Fasten off.

If desired, add a bit of Poly-Fill to the interior of the horn to help it remain upright. I did not find this necessary, but it may be, dependent on the yarn used. (viagra)

Fringe (Mane):

Cut 24 sets of 8″-10″ long lengths of fine weight yarn in selected colors.

With one set of 4-6 strips of fine weight yarn in a mix of colors, fold the strips in half, then working in the third stitch from the front, on the top of the hood, pull the center of the strips through the stitch. Do not pull the yarn all the way through, only pull through enough that you can get your finger into the loop.

With your fingers or the hook, reach through the loop, grab the yarn tails and pull them back through the loop. Pull this snugly and securely before moving on.

Repeat adding fringe in bunches of 4-6 pieces lengths of yarn in mixed of colors, adding them along the top of the hood and on either side of the horn, as desired.

When fringe is complete, trim as desired.

Finish Hood and Cowl:

Weave in ends.

Yield: 1 Ribbed Unicorn Cowl