Dark Garden Tapestry Cowl—Skulls, Butterflies & Flowers (uses all 3 colors)

A compact tapestry crochet cowl designed so you’ll carry and use all three colors at once (Black background, Purple motifs, Pink accents). Worked flat in single crochet with a 12-stitch x 12-row motif repeat: repeat the motif horizontally as many times as needed for your desired circumference and vertically for height. This pattern gives a moody, non-striped tapestry panel featuring stylized skull/flower/butterfly motifs.

Finished measurements (approx)

Sample cowl: circumference ~22” (56 cm), height ~10.5” (27 cm)
Adjust by repeating the 12-stitch repeat horizontally for a larger/smaller circumference, and repeating the 12-row motif vertically for more/less height.

Materials

Yarn: Medium (4) / Worsted weight acrylic. Typical ball size ~200 yd (183 m) per 100 g recommended. Estimated amounts for sample cowl: Black ~225 yd (206 m) (~125 g), Purple ~125 yd (114 m) (~75 g), Pink ~125 yd (114 m) (~75 g). Total ~475 yd (435 m). Adjust quantities by number of repeats and desired size.
Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm) — UK 6 — Metric 5.0 mm. (If you prefer a firmer tapestry fabric, go down one size: US G/6 4.0 mm — UK 8 — Metric 4.0 mm.)
Tapestry bobbins or small balls for each color (3 total) so you can have all three colors active and avoid long floats).
Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, blocking tools (optional).

Gauge (tapestry single crochet, relaxed)

12 sts x 12 rows = approx 3.5” (9 cm). Gauge is for reference: your stitch size will determine how many motif repeats to chain for desired width.

Abbreviations (US)—(UK in parentheses)

ch = chain (ch)
sc = single crochet (dbl in OLD UK)
st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch (sl st)

Notes & technique

This is tapestry crochet: you work sc in one color but carry the other colors behind your work, crocheting over unused yarn so floats are trapped. Use bobbins for neat tension and to avoid tangling.
Always carry unused colors along the row and crochet over them; do not cut them each color change unless the float would be longer than 5” (12 cm).
Read the chart as follows: Row 1 is worked right-to-left, Row 2 left-to-right, alternating (read odd rows R->L, even rows L->R). If you prefer working in-the-round, you can work continuous spirals but the chart instructions below are for flat rows and seaming the short ends for a cowl.
When changing colors, insert hook into the next st, yarn over with the old color and pull through, then yarn over with the new color and complete the last pull-through to finish the sc in the new color (carry old color behind). This helps keep tidy vertical color edges.
To avoid gaps at color joins, keep tension even; if a gap appears, work into the front loop only briefly on the join row to snug it, then resume regular sc on the next row.

Motif chart (12 sts x 12 rows) — Legend

B = Black (background)
U = Purple (motif outline — use "U" for purple)
P = Pink (accents — flowers, small highlights)

Row 12: BBBBBBBBBBBB
Row 11: BBBBPPBBBBBB
Row 10: BBBBBBBBBBBB
Row 9 : BBBBUUUBBBBB
Row 8 : BBBUUUUUUBBB
Row 7 : BBUUUPPPUUBB
Row 6 : BUUUPPPPPUUB
Row 5 : BUUUPPPPPUUB
Row 4 : BBUUUPPPUUBB
Row 3 : BBBUUUUUUBBB
Row 2 : BBBBUUUBBBBB
Row 1 : BBBBBBBBBBBB

Notes about the chart: The motif is intentionally stylized and compact: the purple area forms the dark skull/butterfly silhouette and the centralized pink sections are flower/highlight accents. Use this 12x12 motif repeated horizontally to make a band of motifs across the cowl. Stagger or flip motifs vertically if you want alternating rows (optional).

Pattern (sample cowl)—worked flat and seamed

Decide how many repeats across: each motif = 12 sts. For the sample circumference ~22”, chain 48 + 1 turning ch (4 repeats). Example: ch 49.
Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across following the chart color sequence for Row 1 (work sc, carrying unused colors behind). Turn.
Row 2: Follow chart Row 2 color sequence. Remember you will be working left-to-right on even rows (so follow the chart left-to-right for even numbered rows). Turn.
Continue following chart rows 3–12. That completes one 12-row vertical motif. Repeat Rows 1–12 vertically until you reach desired height. For the sample cowl aim for ~3 vertical repeats (36 rows) = approx 10.5”, but check your own gauge and adjust.
When you finish the final row, fasten off, weave in color ends or leave long tails for a neat seam.
Seam the short ends together with whipstitch or mattress stitch using the tapestry needle so the colorwork aligns exactly. Weave in all ends, burying carried floats under stitches where possible.

Tips for working 3 colors at once

Set up 3 small bobbins or small balls: one black, one purple, one pink. Wind them so tensions are even. When a color is not in use for several stitches, drop the bobbin behind the work so it won’t be dragged in front of the working yarn.
Keep floats short: never more than 5” (12 cm). When the motif requires a float longer than that, twist the unused color around the working color every 4–5 sts to anchor it, or cut and rejoin with neat tails if you don’t want to carry it.
When changing colors frequently, hold the main background (Black) in one hand and alternate the purple and pink in the other hand or on bobbins to avoid tangles. Many tapestry crocheters hold the background in their dominant hand and the accent color in the other.

Finishing

Weave in ends on the WS, catching tails into carried floats where possible so they are hidden and secure.
Lightly block the cowl to even stitches (wet-block or steam gently depending on yarn care). Acrylic benefits from careful shaping rather than high heat; use the yarn manufacturer guidelines. A light steam and shaping on a towel should be fine.
Optional: add a lining for extra structure and warmth, or sew a decorative edge in pink or purple using reverse single crochet (crab stitch) to frame the motifs.

Customization ideas

Switch background to Purple and make the motifs Black with Pink highlights for a different mood. The same chart works with color swaps.
Mirror alternate motifs every other horizontal repeat to create a checkerboard of skulls and butterflies.
Make a wider panel for a wrap or blanket by adding more horizontal repeats and more vertical repetitions of the 12-row motif.

Pattern by Purl Jam at https://purljam.verde.uk. For support: team@verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam.

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