Unveil the charm of buffalo plaid crochet with the Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Cowl pattern! Stay cozy and stylish all winter long with this trendy accessory debut. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a beginner, this project is perfect for adding a touch of fashion and warmth to your wardrobe.
Embrace the timeless charm of plaid, particularly the beloved buffalo plaid, with my free crochet buffalo plaid cowl pattern!
This design holds a special place in my heart as it marks my debut in a renowned publication, Happily Hooked Magazine.
The buffalo plaid stitch captured my attention a year ago, and I quickly fell head over heels for it. Although it may appear a tad intricate at first, the complexity arises primarily from managing three strands of yarn simultaneously.
If you’ve dabbled in tapestry crochet before, you’ll find this project a breeze!
Once you’ve mastered how to coordinate the three strands of yarn, you’ll discover that the actual stitching is remarkably straightforward, relying predominantly on the double crochet.
Don’t fret if you’re struggling to keep your yarn strands separate; a clever solution is investing in a bag with dedicated sections for each skein of yarn.
I adopted this strategy when I initially delved into the world of plaid stitch, and it remains an invaluable tool in my crochet arsenal.
I use the Procase Knitting Bag/Yarn Organizer Tote and you can get it through my affiliate link on Amazon HERE.
Yarn Details: It’s All About the Yarn Baby!
For several compelling reasons, I chose Red Heart Super Saver in Claret and Black, paired with Red Heart with Love in Cherry Red for this cowl.
First and foremost, these three colors seamlessly blend together to produce the classic plaid appearance that truly stands out.
Moreover, Red Heart yarns are known for their affordability, making them accessible at your local fabric store or even in the craft section of Walmart, ensuring that you can whip up on this project without breaking the bank!
As fate would have it, I was fortunate enough to have all three of these colors tucked away in my yarn stash when I designed this cowl – a fortunate moment that allowed me not only to create this fantastic piece but also to design two more exciting projects with the same yarn.
Lucky me, indeed!
Introducing the Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Collection: Keep Cozy with My Head Warmer and Fingerless Gloves!
Explore the links below for stylish winter accessories.
Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer
Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Fingerless Gloves
**THIS IS AN ORIGINAL PATTERN. Please see my Copyright Statement for details.
The Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Cowl is a stylish is a cozy crochet accessory perfect for winter! This classic buffalo plaid pattern, combined with its beginner-friendly design, makes it a beautiful project for crocheters of all skill levels. Craft a versatile, fashionable accessory that keeps you warm and chic throughout the season.
Difficulty Level
Level 3 – Intermediate
Gauge/Tension
15 stitches and 6 rows = 4 x 4 – inches in plaid stitch, using crochet hook size I/9 5.5mm
Recommended Yarn
- 3 colors of medium 4 worsted weight yarn – one light, one medium, & one dark (3 skeins total).
NOTE: The medium color of yarn should be a blending of the dark & light colors.
In this pattern I used medium 4 worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn: Red Heart with Love in Holly Berry (light), Red Heart Super Saver in Claret (medium), and Red Heart Super Saver in black (dark). 1 skein is 7 oz / 198g / 364 yd / 333m yards.
Yardage requirements
*provided requirements are estimates only
Total yardage:
- 400 yd / 365.76m to a max of 1092yd / 999m
Yarn Alternatives
Medium 4 worsted weight yarn
- Craft Smart Value
- Big Twist Yarns Living
- Premier Yarns Basix
Other Materials
- Crochet Hook size I / 9 – 5.5mm
- 3 buttons of your choice, size 1.5 -inch diameter (38.1 mm)
- Corresponding thread
- Sewing needle
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Abbreviations
Pattern is written in US terms.
Double crochet (dc)
Stitch/es (st/sts)
Finished Dimensions/Sizing
44.25 inches in length and 10.75 – inches in width.
Additional Notes
Read all pattern notes, instructions, and other provided details carefully before starting the project to make sure you understand everything. It could save you hours & a lot of headaches!
- Read all pattern notes, instructions, and other provided details carefully before starting the project to make sure you understand everything. It could save you hours & a lot of headaches!
- Make a swatch that measures at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch provided under the Gauge Section. If your swatch matches the gauge, then you are all set to start the project. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your crochet hook – increase your hook size if your stitches are smaller & decrease your hook size if your stitches are larger.
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Provided measurements are as exact as possible, but are given as approximates. This is because yarn variances, crochet tension, & individual technique might give variations in the result, which changes from person to person.
- At the end of each row when the pattern states “turn work, ch3, dc in the first st” – in this case the ch 3 does not count as a stitch. You can alternatively use the chainless standing dc here, but in this case it will count as your first dc.
- Care Instructions: Hand wash & lay flat to dry or follow instructions on the yarn label.
Resources
Chainless Standing Double Crochet
Starting and Standing Stitches (scroll to the section on standing stitches)
- You can cut your yarn every time you change colors and then later weave in the loose ends. However, you can significantly reduce the number of ends to weave in if you carry your yarn horizontally through your work – crocheting over it as you go – and/or vertically up the sides of your work.
Resources
Carry the yarn horizontally through project
Carry the yarn vertically up the sides of the project
- When you change colors, especially in the middle of the project, I highly recommend this technique: How to Change Colors in the Middle of the Row using DC.
**This is the technique I used when designing this pattern.
Pattern Instructions
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This pattern uses the plaid stitch.
Video Tutorial: How to Work the Plaid Stitch.
With Black (DARK shade), Ch 38.
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (36 sts)
Row 2 (PLAID row 1): Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) -Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
*Change to Black (DARK shade) -Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) – Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)*
Repeat from * to * to end. There should be 12 plaid stitches – 6 Black (DARK shade) & 6 Burgundy (MEDIUM shade).
NOTE: You should be alternating Black (DARK shade) and Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.
Row 3 (PLAID row 2): Change to Red (LIGHT shade) – turn work, ch3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
*Change to Red (LIGHT shade) – Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)*
Repeat from * to * to end. There should be 12 plaid stitches – 6 Black (MEDIUM shade) & 6 Burgundy (LIGHT shade).
NOTE: You should be alternating Red (LIGHT shade) and Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.
NOTE: The Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) should be above the Black (DARK shade) stitches from the previous row and the Red (LIGHT shade) stitches should be above of the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches from the previous row.
Row 4 (PLAID row 3) : Change to Black (DARK shade)- turn work, ch3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) – Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
*Change to Black (DARK shade)- Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)
Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the next 3 stitches. (3dc)*
Repeat from * to * to end. There should be 12 plaid stitches – 6 Black (DARK shade) & 6 Burgundy (MEDIUM shade).
NOTE:
- You should be alternating Black (DARK shade) and BURGUNDY (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.
- The Black (DARK shade) stitches should be on top of the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches from the previous row and the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches should be on top of the Red (LIGHT shade) stitches from the previous row.
Repeat rows 3-4 (plaid rows 2-3) until your project measures 38 inches in length. This should be a total of 67 rows (66 plaid rows).
Row 68: Turn work, change to black (DARK shade), ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC), dc in each stitch to end. (36 sts)
Rows 69-70: Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) , dc in each stitch to end. (36 sts)
Row 71: Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC), dc in the next 7 sts, skip 2 sts, ch 2, dc in the next 9 sts, *skip 2, ch 2, dc in the next 7 sts*, Repeat from * to * 1 more time.
NOTE: What you are doing here by chaining 2 and skipping stitches (called a ch2-space) is creating the buttonholes.
Row 72: Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in each stitch across, including the ch2-spaces (work 2 dc sts in each ch2-space). (36 dc)
Row 73: Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC), dc in each st across to end. (36 dc)
Do NOT bind off.
Finishing:
- Continue with black (DARK shade) – sc around the edge of the cowl to create a cleaner edge.
- Bind Off & Weave in ends.
- Fold cowl as seen in the picture below.
- Using coordinating thread, sew buttons on the edge of the cowl that’s folded down (see picture below) – each button should be sewn so that when the other end of the cowl is folded down (the one with the button holes), the buttons line up directly beneath each button hole.
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I genuinely hope you enjoyed creating and exploring this buffalo cowl pattern.
Crocheting is not just a craft; it’s a creative journey, and I’m thrilled to have shared a part of it with you.
Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a newcomer to the craft, may your buffalo cowl be a cozy, stylish addition to your wardrobe, and may your crochet adventures continue to bring joy and inspiration.
By the way, I’m not finished with buffalo plaid just yet, so stay tuned for more exciting designs in the pipeline!
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Until next time… Happy Crocheting!
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Note: The Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Cowl pictured above was crocheted by one of my wonderful pattern testers, Marilyn Jerry Cochrun of Hooked on Cotton Crochet.
This pattern was originally published in the Happily Hooked Magazine, Issue #69, December 2019 or Pattern Pack Pro | 62 | November 2019 | Give Yourself A Hand.