This post contains affiliate links for products I use and love.

You can find an inexpensive ad-free PDF of this pattern in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

This buffalo plaid crochet cowl has a modern yet timeless motif. Simple and classy, it’s great for advanced beginners. You can also make coordinating mitts here!

Friends! We are officially into October now – and you know what that means: FALL IS HERE. I’ve trudged through the heat and humidity and I am ready to get my cozy on. So so ready.

Earlier this year I designed my first-ever fingerless gloves! I chose a large buffalo plaid motif and I just love them so much, I had to make a matching cowl!

I actually started this cowl around the same time as the gloves, but something about it just wasn’t wow-ing me. After staring at it for MONTHS (literally months), I had a lightbulb moment and was able to frog and redo it to my satisfaction.

I incorporated top and bottom ribbing and shortened the length to create a wonderfully paired addition to my small but growing buffalo plaid collection.

Details & Inspo

I got my original large scale buffalo check inspo from a gorgeous cape scarf my friend sent me. I channeled it into my crochet mitts, and then on to this cowl (and hopefully more in time!).

After designing my Chunky Ridge Cowl, I realized I really like snug fitting cowls that keep you warm all the way to your face. I wanted to make this buffalo plaid cowl with that same idea in mind.

I used the same yarn as my fingerless gloves – Lion Brand Wool Ease in Black, Charcoal, and Fisherman. It’s a thinner worsted weight yarn that is soft, and WASHABLE!

I opted for a classic black and white color scheme, but you can make your own combinations to suit your style. I’ve listed some popular ones below in the pattern!

You can find an inexpensive PDF of this pattern in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. You can also find a bundle on Etsy.

Mod Buffalo Plaid Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

Materials:

• 3 skeins of each color worsted weight yarn (the sample uses Lion Brand Wool Ease in Black, Charcoal, and Fisherman)
  • 1 skein (or 135 yds) black/Color 1
  • 1 skein (or 116 yds) grey/Color 2
  • 1 skein (or 40 yds) white/Color 3
• Size 4.5 & 4mm crochet hooks
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Size

12 X 10.25 inches

Gauge

17 hdc st x 15 rows per 4 x 4 inch square

Abbreviations:

–   This pattern is written in US terms.

• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• hdcblo = half double crochet back loop only
• st =  stitch
• sl st = slip stitch
• B = Black
• G = Grey
• W = White
• C1 = Color 1
• C2 = Color 2
• C3 = Color 3

Notes

This cowl is crocheted flat and seamed. It was constructed this way using intarsia (vs tapestry crochet) to avoid carrying yarn and ensure a clean look.

If you need a refresher for intarsia, check out this post or my crochet plaid technique.

You can easily create this pattern using other colors! I have used Black and my Color 1, Grey as my Color 2, and White as my Color 3. Some other popular combinations include:

C1: Black C2: Burgundy C3: Red

C1: Brown C2: Orange C3: Cream

C1: Red C2: Pink C3: White

C1: Forest Green C2: Sage Green C3: Cream or Grey

Want to make the cowl + gloves? Grab the PDF buffalo plaid bundle in my Etsy shop.

Pattern:

Plaid/Check Body

Use a 4.5mm hook.

Foundation chain: Ch 105 in Black/Color 1.

Row 1: Hdc into the 2nd ch from hook. Dc 12. Dc 13 in Grey/Color 2. Dc 13 in Black/Color 1. Dc 13 in Grey/Color 2. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: *Hdc 13 in G/C2. Hdc 13 in B/C1.* Repeat *. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: *Hdc 13 in B/C1. Hdc 13 in G/C2.* Repeat *. Ch 1 and turn.

Rows 4-9: Repeat rows 2 & 3.

Row 10: Repeat row 2.

Row 11: *Hdc 13 in G/C2. Hdc 13 in W/C3.* Repeat *.

Row 12: *Hdc 13 in W/C1. Hdc 13 in G/C2.* Repeat *. 

Rows 13-20: Repeat rows 11 & 12.

Row 21: *Hdc 13 in B/C1. Hdc 13 in G/C2.* Repeat *. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 22: *Hdc 13 in G/C2. Hdc 13 in B/C1.* Repeat *. Ch 1 and turn.

Rows 23-30: Repeat Rows 21 & 22. Do not tie off.

Ribbed Border

The ribbed border is crocheted and attached as you go. You can watch an excellent video tutorial of this method on TL Yarn Crafts’ YouTube channel HERE.

Use a 4mm hook.

In Black/C1, ch 7. Hdc into 2nd ch from hook.  Hdc 5. Sl st into the top of the second to last stitch from Row 30. Sl st into the next stitch and turn.

Row 2: Hdcblo across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Hdcblo across. Sl st into next st from Row 30. Sl st into the next st from Row 30. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until you reach the end of the cowl (the first stitch from Row 30). Tie off and cut.

Attach B/C1 yarn to the opposite end of the cowl. Repeat the above method to create ribbing along the bottom of the cowl.

Pull through and leave a long tail.

Thread the long tail through a tapestry needle and seam the cowl using the mattress stitch (or your preferred seaming method).

Cut & tie off. Weave in ends.

I hope you love your finished product! I’d love to see it. Tag me on Instagram @thetravelinghooker and use #TravelingHookCreations and #ModBuffaloCowl.

Pin me!