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Crochet Mobius Cowl Wearing Styles

Simply add a mobius twist to an infinity scarf to multiply the ways it drapes.

A crochet mobius cowl pattern adds an easy mobius twist to a crochet infinity scarf (a.k.a. long loop scarf). This instantly increases the stylish ways to wear it!

Starlooper Ring Scarf: Turn it into an infinity scarf. Or not! Nine ways to wear it.
If you had to pick only ONE of these nine images, which would it be?

Have a look at this image I created for the downloadable new Starlooper Mobius Cowl crochet pattern. This montage of NINE images means I don’t have to pick just ONE wearing style to display.

I love a good crochet mobius cowl pattern because it flatters the face and neck effortlessly, no matter how it settles on the shoulders. Plus, of course, they offer easy warmth. You might enjoy an early newsletter issue I wrote called “A Fever for Crocheting Cowls” LOL!

For Starlooper I used a special kind of crochet star stitch pattern. It’s naturally a bit offset, reversible, and has accordion-like pleats. It’s also fast, soft, and warm for fall. (One of many star stitches.)

I’ve been learning ways to create draping montages like this image for years. Want to see earlier ones? Here’s Shakti Scarfythings. Check out Undaria!

Bamboo Circular Double-Ended Hooks

Why These Crochet Hooks?

ChiaoGoo carves these hooks from the strongest bamboo of all, Moso. Moso has the tensile strength of steel.

ChiaoGoo is a Michigan-based family-owned company. They import these crochet hooks from China. This family has cheerfully sponsored my crochet classes for years.

We carry these flexible double-ended afghan crochet hooks in two lengths: 16″ and  24″. Choose the size and length from the drop down list. (Looking for even longer ones? See the new set of interchangeables.)

Free shipping to USA addresses makes this a good value!

About Double-Ended Crochet

Use double-ended circular hooks for a fun variation of Tunisian crochet. Double-Ended crochet involves using two different balls of yarn, and turning at the end of the row. Cro-Hook, Crochenit, Cro-knitting, and Crochet on the Double™ are other names for this technique.

Our Mesmer Veils pattern is unique among double-ended crochet designs!

Mesmer Veils Set (incl. Maze Vest)

This pattern set offers a unique experience of crocheting breezy Tunisian scarves, wraps, and vests. The Mesmer approach is a three-in-one introduction to:

  • a versatile extended Tunisian net stitch that conserves yarn
  • double-ended crocheting for a reversible and fringe-free option
  • steeking (cutting open armholes with a quick snip of one stitch loop for the vest option).

An earlier version of the vest was originally published as “Maze Vest” in the Summer 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.

Like the Weightless Tunisian Stole, the Mesmer Veil directly contradicts silly old stereotypes of Tunisian crochet as being thick, stiff, and slow to crochet. Mesmer is gossamer-thin, lacy, flexible, stretchy, collapsible, and stitches up quickly. It also conserves yarn and is reversible (front and back are equally lovely). It’s simply everything Tunisian crochet isn’t thought to be.

It’s even light on the hook: only half of the stitches in a row are held on the hook, so you can make an extra-long piece without using an extra-long hook.

Although it’s a fun way to combine scrap yarns, Mesmer is designed to make expensive yarns go twice as far.

The length and width are easy to customize for creating simple wearable shapes. Use a Tunisian hook for a wrap that collapses lengthwise into a scarf with naturally fringed ends (pink version). The hand-dyed teal version is crocheted widthwise. 

Use a double-ended Tunisian crochet hook to make a decorative solid edge instead of fringe.

Skill Level

Easy Intermediate (due to alternating yarns of contrasting weights and textures). You should have some experience using Tunisian crochet patterns. Use this blog post for a quick review: Five Basic Rules of Tunisian Crochet Patterns. Good examples of modern introductory-level Tunisian crochet patterns are ShaktithingsBurly, and Burly Bias.

International English equivalents for American terms are included.

?After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to create a special filet-like ethereal Tunisian net
  • How to use a nonstandard Return Pass
  • How to add stretch and drape to Tunisian crochet fabric
  • How to combine yarns and colors that emphasize either the forward pass, or the return pass, for a unique effect.
  • How to add armholes, and scarf keyholes, with truly easy steeks (cuts)

Finished Dimensions of Projects Shown

  • Vest is written in standard sizes XSmall (Small, Medium, Large, XLarge). Sample shown is size Small.
    • Finished bust/chest circumference: 33 (38, 42, 48, 52)”. When worn with fronts overlapped, wearing ease is approx. 4” (proportional to standard sizes) with approx. 5″ of overlap.
    • Finished Back Length: 19 (20, 21, 21.5, 22)”.
  • Original Mesmer Scarf (Pink) is 54” {137 cm} long (excluding 6” {15.25 cm} fringed ends) and 14” {35.5 cm} wide, measured hung after blocking. Pattern includes simple information for adding length and width to the scarf. Based on the amount of leftover yarn and projections from the Misty Wrap below, the scarf size could likely be increased to as much as 60” {152.5 cm} long and 15” {38 cm} wide without requiring an additional skein.
  • Misty Mesmer Wrap (Teal) is 56” {142.25 cm} long X 22” {55.75 cm} wide.

Materials

Tunisian Crochet Hook: size K/10.5/6.5mm, 13″ {33 cm} long was used for all fringed projects shown. A double-ended Tunisian hook of the same size was used for the non-fringed projects.

Used for brown vest:

  1. S. Charles Collezione Luna (71% Super Kid Mohair, 20% Silk, 9% Lurex; 232yd/212.5m per .88oz/25g; CYCA #0): #41 chestnut, 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) skeins. The “thin yarn” in pattern.
  2. S. Charles Collezione Stella (74% Silk, 26% Lurex; 76.5yd/70m per .88oz/25g; CYCA #4): #41 chestnut, 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) skeins. The “thick yarn” in pattern.

Crochet hook for brown vest: US double-ended flexible Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. For the main pattern, a rigid double-ended hook can be used instead. A stopper for one end is needed to edge the armholes. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: Four stitch markers (m) to mark sleeves; yarn needle.

Used for Original Mesmer (Fringed Pink Scarf)

  1. Thicker Yarn: Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (90% Spun Silk, 10% Petite Sequins; 225yds/206m per 3.5oz/100g skein), Dusty Pink: 1 ball.
  2. Thinner Yarn: S.R. Kertzer Ovation (75% Kid Mohair, 25% Silk, 233yds/212m per .88oz/25g ball), color #2142, 1 ball.

Crochet hook for pink scarf: US Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Yarns Used for Misty Mesmer Wrap (Teal Wrap)

  1. Thicker Yarn: Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (90% Spun Silk, 10% Petite Sequins; 225yds/206m per 3.5oz/100g skein), color Jade: 1 ball.
  2. Thinner Yarn: Blue Ridge Yarns Shadow Mini (100% brushed mohair; 225yds/205m per 45g mini skein), Blue Lagoon, 1 skein.

Crochet hook for teal stole: US double-ended Tunisian hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm), 13″ long. If you decide to add armholes later, you’ll also need a stopper for one end to edge the armholes. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Choosing Yarns:
Mesmer’s veil quality results mainly from alternating a lace weight kid mohair yarn with a medium weight glossy sequined silk yarn. You can get other special effects by trying other very different yarns.

Part of the fun for me with this design has been combining different yarn textures, weights, and colors. Every combination I tried (except dishcloth cottons and other very plain yarns) looked great, so I hope you will be inspired to experiment.

Symmetrical Diamond

This Symmetrical Diamond pattern introduces diagonal Tunisian crochet for clothing and fashion accessories. It’s a basic pattern, so it works just as well for afghan motifs, pillows, hot pads, and other home decor. Pick a yarn with built-in color changes for exciting stripes! The pattern starts out as an all-purpose swatch for any yarn and hook size, then offers three ways to turn your swatch into a practical project:

  • Make dish cloths with medium cotton yarn.
  • Make a padded wrist rest, sleeve for your cell phone or sunglasses, or a set of reusable makeup remover pads with thinner yarns.

I developed this strategic four-edge stitch shaping combination from scratch because common shaping methods don’t work well for diagonal Tunisian crochet. My goal was to find a uniformly finished solid edge for Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) that’s also symmetrically stretchy. I researched 100 or so sources and I know of no one else using it; nor do I know of a published option that offers a close substitute. 

There is a Crochet Inspirations Newsletter issue about this pattern: #48 Diagonal Tunisian Crochet Discovery – http://eepurl.com/wNeCn

After you try this pattern, have a look at the new Burly Bias. I designed it for the Tunisian on the Diagonal class as the next step in having fun crocheting diagonally.  Four PeaksWarm Aeroette, and Aery Faery (rectangular wrap scarves with eyelets). Adding eyelets to each edge requires specialized tweaks for Tunisian lace; in fact, I’m discovering a new world of Tunisian edges with special effects. You might also like my other Tunisian projects that begin in one corner (Islander) or crocheted in biasing rows (Petals, Shakti Scarves).

Skill Level: Easy Intermediate

You should know how to crochet the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) and have some experience using a Beginner-Level Tunisian crochet pattern. (Burly is an example of one.)

Pattern abbreviations are kept to a minimum. International English equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are in brackets { }. In response to feedback in Tunisian crochet classes, I list the stitch names and descriptions in a pink sidebar on the pattern pages. (This way there’s no need to flip back to the “Stitch Guide” page while crocheting.)

After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to create a symmetrical triangle and a square of any size with Tunisian simple stitch by starting in the corner (and how much fun it is!).
  • How to start in one corner to add stretch, drape, and diagonal striping to Tunisian crochet.
  • How to increase and decrease along the right edge of Tunisian crochet rows to take advantage of this dynamic biasing fabric.
  • How to increase along the left edge of Tunisian crochet rows to match the drape and stretch of the right side.

Finished Dimensions

It’s easy to make your diamond larger or smaller. (That’s the “point” of corner-to-corner, really.)

  1. Dishcloth: 6.5″ {16.5 cm} square.
  2. Diamond Eyeglass Sleeve: 6″ {15.25 cm} square.
  3. Diamond Makeup Reusables: 2.75″ {7 cm} square.

Materials Used

Diamond Dishcloth

  • Crochet Hook: Size US10/J/6.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook that is at least 10″ {25.5 cm} long for the longest rows.  Tip: Since you begin in one corner, you can use a regular crochet hook as your Tunisian hook until it’s difficult for you to keep all loops of the Forward Pass (FP) on your hook; then switch to a longer Tunisian hook.
  • Two stitch markers (optional)
  • Yarn Shown: Lion Brand Cotton Ease (50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic; 207yds/189m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #123 Seaspray. Each ball yields 4 to 6 dish cloths.

Substituting a yarn: For most dish cloths and face cloths I like a cotton-acrylic blend. It seems to stay soft longer and dry faster. Choose a #3 Light or #4 Medium Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US7/G/4.5mm to 9/I/5.5mm. These yarns may also be called DK (Double Knitting), Light Worsted, or Worsted weight.

Diamond Eyeglass Sleeve

  • Crochet Hook: Size US8/H/5.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook that is at least 10″ {25.5 cm} long for the longest rows.  Tip: Since you begin in one corner, you can use a regular crochet hook as your Tunisian hook until it’s difficult for you to keep all loops of the Forward Pass (FP) on your hook; then switch to a longer Tunisian hook.
  • Two stitch markers (optional)
  • Yarn Shown: (75% Superwash virgin wool, 50% Nylon; 410yds/375m per 5.25oz/150g ball), color #63, approx. 41 yds {57.5 m} per Sleeve.

Substituting a yarn:  I chose a thicker than usual sock yarn for two reasons: I want this yarn to hold up when I keep this sunglass sleeve in my handbag, and it’s easy to find a dramatically self-striping sock yarn. (See Diamond Makeup Reusables below for standard thinner weight sock yarn examples.) Choose a #2 Fine Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US4/E/3.5mm to US6/G/4.0mm. These yarns may also be called Sport, Heavy Sock {Light DK, 5-Ply}.

Diamond Makeup Reusables

  • Crochet Hook: Size US5/F/3.75 mm Tunisian crochet hook of any length.
  • Two stitch markers (optional)
  • Yarn Shown: Plymouth Sockotta (45% Cotton, 40% Superwash wool, 15% Nylon; 414yds/379m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #6655.

Substituting a yarn:  This cotton blend sock yarn is an unconventional choice for crocheted makeup remover pads and I’m really happy with it. Many crocheters use a thicker 100% cotton “dishcloth” yarn instead (see “Diamond Dishcloth” above). Most sock yarns are designed to hold up to hard wear and machine washing and drying. I like the sock yarn I used because it’s thinner, it has enough cotton to feel soft and absorbent, and the heathered color changes don’t show any traces of makeup residue after washing. I prefer them over the one-use quilted cotton balls I’ve used for years!

Choose a #1 Super Fine Weight yarn with a recommended hook size range of US2/C/2.25mm to US4/E/3.5mm. These yarns may also be called Fingering, Sock, Light Sport, Baby {3-Ply}.

I loved this yarn for a soft and durable padded wrist rest: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Silk Color (55% Wool, 25% Nylon, 20% Silk; 218yds/199m per 1.75oz/50g ball), color #0181. For more information about this project variation, see this Ravelry project page: http://ravel.me/vashtirama/ptdwr .

Want to see another project? I love making these double-thick Diamond Coasters with a crazy Noro yarn!

Four Peaks

Four Peaks Scarf is a newly remastered, rectangular variation of the L-shaped Five Peaks Shawl that first appeared in the Spring 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.

Special Features

Use any yarn weight, fiber, amount, and Tunisian hook size with this pattern. Pictured are dense wintery wool scarves and breezy summery options.

“Four Peaks” refers to what it’s like to start in one corner (a “peak”) and then crochet Tunisian rows diagonally to create the remaining three “peaks” of a symmetrical Tunisian rectangle (i.e., a scarf; or…stole, shrug, headband, afghan, and more!). This geometric construction method frees you to do several other promising things with Tunisian crochet.

The eyelet edging is built in to each biasing row for uninterrupted striping. This exciting special effect wouldn’t be the same if the edging had to be added later instead.

Four Peaks also introduces the ”Tunisian foundation slip stitch.” I’ve discovered that special increase methods along the left edge are needed for the Tunisian eyelets to drape symmetrically.

Pattern includes a stitch diagram and easy customizing instructions for any length, width, and amount of yarn you have on hand. My favorite way to crochet the Four Peaks Scarf (and the Five Peaks Shawl) is with a chart, because all rows face the front. It also reveals the simple logic that underlies fancy-looking biasing rows and eyelet stitches.

Skill Level

Intermediate. Almost all of the scarf is Tunisian Simple Stitch (a beginner-level stitch), and the return pass for each row is the standard one that beginners learn. (The Burly scarf would be a good basic review.) How each forward pass begins and ends is what makes this Intermediate level. You should have experience using easier Tunisian crochet patterns before attempting it. Tunisian Shakti Scarfythings is a good way to experience simple lacy biasing. My free Symmetrical Tunisian Diamond 101 pattern is great preparation for the Four Peaks experience.

After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to start a Tunisian crochet project in one corner and build a scarf on the diagonal by increasing along both edges.
  • How to shape the left edge with a Tunisian Foundation Slip Stitch so that it matches the stretch and drape of the right edge.
  • How to edge Tunisian crochet with lacy eyelets as you go.
  • How to choose a good combination of hook size and yarn for this kind of design.

Finished Measurements

One skein of the summery rainbow bamboo-rayon yarn yielded a 50” x 9.5” {127 x 24 cm} scarf.
One skein of the wintery wool yarn yielded a 34” x 10” {86 x 25.5 cm} scarf.
Pattern includes information for customizing the scarf’s width and length.

Materials

Tunisian Crochet Hook, straight or circular: As a general guideline, use a crochet hook size that is 1.5 mm to 2 mm larger than the one recommended on the yarn’s label. Gauge is not very important for this pattern. For the rainbow light weight yarn, I almost decided on a K/6.5 mm hook. By the 16th row, the solid part of the scarf was feeling stiffer than I wanted it to so I started over with the next larger hook size I had (L/8 mm). Nowadays I would use the less common 7 mm hook size instead.

Yarns Used

  • For Summery rainbow scarf, Mondial Bamboo (100% Bamboo rayon; 252yds/230m per 3.5oz/100g skein): 1 skein in color #680 Parrot. (This yarn seems like a #3 Light Weight one to me, a.k.a. DK, light worsted wt.)
  • For Wintery wool scarf, Patons Classic Wool Worsted (100% Wool; 210yds/192m per 3.5oz/100g skein): 1 skein in color Palais for a wide neckwarmer, 2 for a full length scarf.

Substituting Yarns: I’ve swatched several types of yarn and hook sizes for this pattern. Each new yarn I try gives unpredictable results because biasing Tunisian eyelet fabric is more dynamic than any other Tunisian crochet I’ve made.

You might like to try this pattern with a thinner yarn from the #2 Fine Weight category (a.k.a. sock yarn, fingering, light sport, baby) and a size J/US10/6mm or K/US10.5/6.5 mm Tunisian crochet hook. For a light breezy scarf, I liked a K hook with my Louet Euroflax swatch.

A lace weight mohair yarn would be beautiful!