Gothic Tapestry Cowl: Skulls & Butterflies (Pink, Purple, Black)
A tapestry crochet cowl designed to use three colors of medium worsted (4) acrylic yarn at once: black for the background and contrast, with pink and purple for motifs and accents. Worked in single crochet in the round so the motifs sit cleanly. Includes two repeating motifs (skull and butterfly) to avoid stripes and keep a dark, interesting look.
Finished measurements
- Circumference: 24 in / 61 cm (example; adjustable — see "Sizing & math" section)
- Height: 9 in / 23 cm (adjustable)
Materials
- Yarn: medium weight / worsted (Category 4) acrylic. Approximate yardage (example for a 24" cowl):
- Black (background): 200 yd / 183 m
- Pink (accent): 125 yd / 114 m
- Purple (accent): 125 yd / 114 m
Adjust if you want a looser/tighter gauge or a larger cowl. - Recommended hook/needle sizes (choose one based on how dense you like tapestry):
- Crochet hook (recommended): US I/9 (5.5 mm) — UK (old) 5 — Metric 5.5 mm (approx.)
- Alternative for denser fabric: US H/8 (5.0 mm) — UK (old) 6 — Metric 5.0 mm (approx.)
- Tapestry supplies: 2–3 small bobbins or separate small balls for pink and purple (keeping black on main ball), blunt tapestry needle for weaving ends, stitch marker.
Gauge
14 sc x 16 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm using 5.5 mm hook with worsted yarn. Gauge affects motif pixel size: at this gauge one motif unit (one chart stitch) = 0.285 in / 7.2 mm horizontally and vertically approximately.
Abbreviations
- sc = single crochet
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd = round
- floats: carried color strands running behind work
Sizing & math (quick)
Decide circumference in inches (C). Calculate stitches = round((C / 4.0) * 14). Example 24 in -> (24/4)*14 = 84 sts. Height is number of rounds: 9 in -> (9/4)*16 = 36 rounds.
Layout & motif placement
Plan to repeat a sequence of motifs around the cowl. Example layout for 84 sts circumference: 12-st wide motifs fit nicely. Use two 12-st motifs per repeat (skull 12 sts, butterfly 12 sts) with a 6-st spacer of black between motifs. Example repeat: [skull (12)] [6 black spacer] [butterfly (12)] [6 black spacer] = 36 sts per repeat, repeated twice = 72 sts plus an extra 12-st panel or increase spacers. Alternatively change spacers to fit your exact stitch count. The charts below are given 12 sts wide x 12 rows high for easy tiling.
Charts & legend
Legend: B = Black (background), P = Pink, U = Purple (use purple for outlines/wing shading). Charts are oriented so you read rounds from right to left (every round is worked the same direction when crocheting in the round).
Skull (12w x 12h)
Row12: BBBBPPBBBBBB
Row11: BBBPPPPBBBBB
Row10: BBPBUUUPPBBB
Row09: BBPPUUUUPPBB
Row08: BBUUPPPPUUBB
Row07: BBUPPPPPUUBB
Row06: BBUUPPPPUUBB
Row05: BBPPUUPPPBBB
Row04: BBPBUUUPPBBB
Row03: BBBPPPPBBBBB
Row02: BBBBPPBBBBBB
Row01: BBBBBBBBBBBB
Butterfly (12w x 12h)
Row12: BBBBUUUBBBBB
Row11: BBBUPPPPUBBB
Row10: BBUUPPPPUUBB
Row09: BBPPUUUUPPBB
Row08: BBUUPPPPUUBB
Row07: BBBUPPPPUBBB
Row06: BBBBUUUBBBBB
Row05: BBBBBPBBBBBB
Row04: BBBBBPBBBBBB
Row03: BBBBBPBBBBBB
Row02: BBBBBPBBBBBB
Row01: BBBBBBBBBBBB
Notes on charts: The grids above are compact pixel art. You can scale motif height by repeating chart rows or stack rows for taller motifs. The top-most row is Row12; when working in the round start with Row1 and progress up.
Working method: tapestry crochet in the round (single crochet)
- Chain your total number of stitches (example 84). Join with slip stitch careful not to twist; place stitch marker for rnd 1.
- Setup round: sc in each chain around (you can do a foundation round if you prefer foundation sc). If you chained tightly you can use a larger hook for the first round then switch.
- Read the chart for Round 1 from right to left. For each "chart stitch" work 1 sc in the color indicated. Carry unused colors behind the work. Always keep the dominant background color (black) on your working hand as your main yarn; pick up accent colors as needed.
- Color changes: Work single crochet until you reach the stitch where color changes. Insert hook, yarn over with new color and pull through both loops to complete the sc in the new color (i.e., carry the unused color(s) behind and catch them under the sc so floats run along the inside of the cowl). Do not cut yarn between small color areas — carry up to 5–6 stitches of float length. For longer distances, use bobbins or small balls or weave in later.
- When switching between two alternate colors (pink <-> purple) while both are next to each other, twist the working strands once around each other at the back when you switch to lock floats (helps keep fabric tidy). Always keep the black carried too so it fills gaps and prevents holes while changing.
- Continue working every rnd following the chart rows. Because you're working in the round, you will always read the chart in the same direction (right-to-left if chart is drawn that way). Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of the round and move it up every rnd.
Example: First 12 rounds (starting rnd 1 = chart Row1)
Assuming 84 sts total and placing a skull in sts 1–12, spacer 13–18, butterfly 19–30, spacer 31–36, repeat across:
- Rnd 1 (chart Row1): Work 84 sc following Row1 pixels across: sc into each st in the color shown (B/P/U).
- Rnd 2 (chart Row2): Follow Row2 across.
- Continue through Rnd12 (Row12).
After completing the full motif height (12 rounds) you may either repeat the 12-round motif sequence to stack the same motif or switch to the other motif chart if you placed them side-by-side horizontally. Because the charts tile horizontally, you can combine skulls and butterflies in any order around the round.
Float management & color handling
- Carry unused colors across the inside of the work. When a color is unused for more than 5–6 stitches, either cut and reattach later or use a bobbin/bobbins to keep manageable lengths.
- When you change color, pull the new color up under the old carried color so floats are trapped inside the sc. This builds a solid fabric without gaps.
- Keep tension even. If floats are too tight the fabric will pucker; too loose and motifs will gap. Aim for floats laid smoothly but not stretched.
Finishing
- When cowl reaches the desired height (example 36 rnds), finish with 1–2 rounds of black sc to create a clean top edge.
- Fasten off leaving a long tail. Use a tapestry needle to weave in ends on the inside, stitching across carried floats sometimes to secure them. Weave ends along the float path to hide them without bulk.
- Optional: Single crochet a decorative picot or rib at top/bottom: alternate sc and front post/back post sc rounds for texture. Add one round of slip stitch in contrasting color for an edge highlight if desired.
- Block lightly on a flat surface (acrylic takes a light steam or spritz; reshape by hand). Do not soak heated acrylic; follow yarn label care.
Adjustments & customizations
- Want larger motifs? Increase hook size and/or reduce total stitch count; or scale charts by repeating each chart column twice (each chart stitch = 2 sc) to double width.
- Prefer a brim or fold-over cuff? Work extra rounds in solid black, then fold the bottom up and seam the inside edge to create a double-thick cuff.
- If you want more dark/gothic elements, swap some pink pixels for purple to deepen the palette, or invert a motif so black becomes the motif color and pink/purple are the background for a dramatic effect.
Troubleshooting
- Puckering: floats too tight; loosening tension or using a slightly larger hook will help.
- Gap at color change: make sure to catch the carried color under the sc when you change color so stitches sit tight.
- Uneven edges: add an extra black round or a tidy slip-stitch edge.
Yarn usage notes
Yarn amounts above are estimates. If you have limited quantities of one color, reserve that color for smaller motifs or accents and increase spacers in black. Keep small balls in zip bags to prevent tangling when carrying multiple colors.
Contact & credits
Pattern created for personal use and gifting. For questions or help with adapting motif sizes or stitch counts, contact team@verde.uk. More patterns and inspiration at purljam. Share your makes on socials with #purljam.