My Diadem DK Crocheted Infinity Cowl

I am usually a very strict one-project-at-a-time kind of a gal, but every once in a while a yarn is just so tempting and beautiful that it just happens to come home with me and goes directly onto my needles or hook. And that is precisely what happened with our latest special reserve yarn, Diadem DK. I was still in the middle of my last crochet cowl (in Diadem Fingering) but I just could not help myself!

This yarn is so lovely with a wonderful drape, I knew it would be perfectly suited for something gift-worthy. And with the holidays sneaking up on me, I had just the excuse to break my one-project rule.

diademcowl1a

I wanted something with a classic appeal and I also was looking for a stitch that was reversible while being repetitive and easy. I settled on doing half double crochet through the back loop worked back and forth (essentially making a scarf), then I seamed the sides together to create an infinity cowl.

diademcowl4a

This is actually my second version! I used one ball of Gold and one ball of Argent in Diadem DK. I loved how much the first cowl turned out (which will be gifted away in a few short weeks!) that I knew I needed to make one for myself. In this case, indecision was what led me to make this version in two colors. I really like the striping effect that happens when it’s worn doubled up.

diademcowl3b

Here is a little close-up of the crocheted stitch that I used. It is slightly deceptive, as at a quick glance – one could think it were a ribbed knit stitch. Not only does the half double crochet through the back loop work up quickly, but it can also lean feminine or masculine – making it a very versatile technique during this time of year when our needles and hooks are working feverishly away!

diademcowl2a

Here is a little summary of my cowl:

1 ball each in Gold and Argent, Diadem DK
US I-9/5.5mm crochet hook
Stitch: half double crochet through the back loop
Finished size: 8.5″ tall, 52″ circumference
To start, I simply worked a foundation chain that was about 50″ in length.

I simply worked back and forth lengthwise until I ran out of yarn (though I made sure to switch colors at the end of a row). Then, I worked across the row in the second color until I ran out of yarn. Not only is this cowl super soft, but it worked up extremely quickly – definitely a weekend worthy project. And the yarn itself has the loveliest sheen to it – which I think works great with the metallic shades that we hand-selected for this special reserve.

All in all, I know I made the right call making one for myself too (and I can’t wait to share my first cowl with the recipient)! What are your plans or project inspiration for Diadem DK?


23 comments

  1. Kristen / December 6, 2013

    Why can’t I find this yarn?

    • Lydia Strnad / December 6, 2013

      I don’t see the yarn either on the Knitpicks website. I was all set to buy. Please tell me it will be available!

      • Jenny / December 9, 2013

        Hi Kristen and Lydia! The Diadem DK yarn was a special reserve yarn (limited-edition) and it was so popular, that it has already sold out! I think Gloss DK would look really great in this pattern (and a few of my co-workers have also used Shine Worsted with wonderful results).

        • Lydia Strnad / December 9, 2013

          Thanks. I saw the gloss and have trying to decide on a color combination. I really loved your colors. Can you recommend some combos?

          • Jenny / December 11, 2013

            For a similar color combo, I think Lemon Curd and Obsidian or Orca would be fantastic! I few other combinations that I really like are Snowshoe and Jacquard as well as Tabby and Kitten.

  2. Lisa / November 30, 2013

    I want a beginner’s pattern…is this easy, or should I look for something else. I want to learn to crochet over Holiday

    • Jenny K / December 2, 2013

      I would say this is a beginner pattern. You just have to know how to make a foundation chain and the only stitch that it uses is the half double crochet (but worked through only the back loop) – if you are worried about skill level, you can always try making a small swatch of the stitch to see how comfortable you are with it before committing to a larger project! But it is a great introduction to crochet, this is a favorite pattern among several beginning crocheters and it works up very quickly.

  3. Evie G. / November 28, 2013

    Gorgeous! So gorgeous in fact that it made me decide I really did need 2 skeins of this yarn! Argent was sold out so I got Platinum and Gold 😀

  4. Gabrielle / November 28, 2013

    This is very pretty!

    Do you have an idea how I can make something similar with knitting? I’m not really good at crochet and I don’t enjoy it as much as knitting. I bought the same yarn and I cant wait for it to arrive!

    Thanks!

    • Jenny / November 29, 2013

      Hi Gabrielle! I think for a knit version of this cowl, the closest thing would be a basic brioche stitch – which creates a similar light and lofty ribbed patterning. And like the crochet version, the brioche stitch is also reversible! Hope that helps and good luck with your cowl, the Diadem DK is absolutely dreamy 🙂

      • Gabrielle / November 29, 2013

        Thank you! I’ll try it!

  5. kaye / November 27, 2013

    Did you sew the seam or did you crochet or slip stitch the seam together? I couldn’t help myself with the sale, I have 2 skeins of each shade otw to me. 🙂

    • Jenny / November 27, 2013

      Hi Kaye, I did actually seam the edges together by sewing the seam. I tried doing the slip stitch seam which worked out, but I ended up seaming then instead to avoid the extra bulk of the slip stitch seam (it also looked a bit neater when seamed). I LOVE this cowl, and I hope you enjoy yours as well!

      • kaye / November 27, 2013

        thank you! 🙂

  6. Lydia Strnad / November 27, 2013

    I’ve never done a crochet project, tried but didn’t finish. This one is so lovely, at first I thought it was knitted. I’d like to try to crochet and I especially love this yarn, so I googled the stitch and found it on a You tube video. I was wondering if you ever crochet in the round like with knitting. Guess I’ll have to find a tutorial for seaming! So I am understanding this when you say it is just one stitch, no pattern to use? Thanks.

    • admin / November 27, 2013

      Exactly, it’s just half double crochet through the back loop in every stitch, back and forth. And actually tried to do this in the round, but I found it left a more noticeable seam that when I worked it flat and then seamed it later on – for me, it was just preference 🙂

  7. sandra / November 27, 2013

    Darn you ;P. I was doing so good buying yarn only for making gifts, but now I want one of those in Argent and Platinum. I could just say it’s my gift to me lol.

  8. Melissa / November 27, 2013

    This looks great and will make for some nice Christmas presents! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Susan / November 27, 2013

    What crochet stitch was used?

    • Jenny K / November 27, 2013

      It’s just half double crochet through the back loop – super easy and works up quickly!

  10. JJ / November 26, 2013

    Was your chain five inches or fifty-two inches? I believe you crocheted across the circumference, not the height, correct? It’s really lovely. I don’t crochet much anymore, I’m happier knitting, but I might make an exception for this lovely cowl.

    • Dree / November 27, 2013

      Same question here! It looks and sounds like you crocheted back and forth the long way, but a 5″ chain? I am confused!

      It is lovely.

      • Jenny K / November 27, 2013

        Sorry about that typo!! I made a foundation chain that was 50″ long – the stitch expands a bit when it’s worked up, so I made the actual chain slightly shorter than what I wanted the finished length to be.

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