Is "Neckwarmer" a Thing?

I have one friend who is actually excited about the things I crochet. You read that right - one. Let's call her KC. My latest crochet kick came with an increased interest in stitches. I was so anxious to get beyond grannies and straight lines of doubles! I bought two or three stitch books... and then did nothing with them. It was too overwhelming. What if I chained ten thousand and then didn't like the stitch? Swatches didn't appeal to me because they're not practical. Then KC asked if I could make some headbands.

She's one of the more fashion-forward people I know, so I did a bit of searching for what was "in" last year. Thoroughly confused, I just started making headband swatches out of good ol' basic Red Heart. Since headband/earwarmer season is coming back around, I wanted to make something a little more multipurpose. If I'm going to make a wide headband, why not make it a little loose so it can be worn around the neck, too?

Thus, my favorite accident was created. It began life last year as a scarf. Since it's still my favorite pattern I've "created" I took that pattern and modified it. When I reworked it as a cowl-ish thing, I replaced the line that was supposed to be bobbles with a line of single crochet. I don't know why since that isn't really a suitable switch most times, but it worked and I love it. I sent one to KC and she claims to adore it. Always good news. :)

Notes
*I don't work into turning chains.
*I don't count turning chains as stitches.
*Connect each row with slip stitch to FIRST STITCH.
*This pattern assumes you know most of the basic stitches.
*I work Row 1 into the back ridge of the chain. This creates a finished look on the bottom.

Chill Chaser
worked in the round

Foundation: chain any odd number. 77 is a good base for close to the neck.
Row 1: Skip first chain, half double crochet into next chain and all remaining chains. Connect with slip stitch to first hdc made.
Row 2: Ch 1. (Double crochet in second stitch from hook, single crochet in skipped stitch.) Repeat (...) across, ending with single crochet.
Row 3. Repeat Row 2
Row 4: Ch2, double crochet in same stitch. double crochet in each stitch across.
Row 5: Ch3, treble crochet in BACK LOOP of same stitch. treble crochet in back loop of each stitch across
Row 6: Ch1, single crochet in same stitch. single crochet in each stitch across.
Row 7: Ch3, treble crochet in same stitch. treble crochet in each stitch across.
Row 8: Ch2, dc in BACK LOOP of same stitch. double crochet in back loop of each stitch across.
Row 9: Repeat Row 2
Row 10: Repeat Row 2
Row 11: . Ch1, hdc in same stitch. hdc in each stitch across.

This example is actually worked flat. It's just as easy (in some ways easier) but I'll save that for another day. This picture does show the detail quite well, though.

How things look after Row 4.

You need a neck exercise anyway, right? Since the pattern mirrors, it doesn't really matter which way you turn your head.

Oh, cool trick? Stop on the next-to-last stitch and count. If you already have stitches needed, undo the first chain. So much easier than redoing the whole thing!

 



Worn as made, it can be a cowl. Slide it up and it's a very wide headband. Smooth it OVER your hair and it's an earwarmer. Oh, but wait. Fold it in half (which it wants to do anyway) and you have more of a collar. Slide it up and it's a slimmer yet thicker headband. If you don't tuck it behind your ears, it's a very warm earwarmer. Wear it OVER your hair for the same general idea. Because the stitches were made to be decorative anyway, it looks nice right side or wrong side. Plus, you can wear it with the fold facing either direction and the look still comes across as intentional.
One day I'll get really good pictures on here, but at least you get the gist of it.