purlJam

# Osaka Cowl

**Difficulty Level:** Advanced  
**Technique:** Crochet

## Materials

**Yarn:** 400g worsted weight yarn (approximately 800 metres)
- Colour A: 200g in charcoal grey
- Colour B: 100g in deep teal  
- Colour C: 100g in warm gold

**Hook:** 5.0mm crochet hook (or size needed to achieve tension)

**Notions:** 
- Yarn needle for finishing
- Stitch markers
- Scissors

## Tension

16 dc and 18 rounds = 10cm (4") measured over double crochet worked in rounds

**Important:** Check your tension and adjust hook size if necessary. Tension affects the final size and drape significantly.

## Finished Measurements

- Circumference: 135cm (53")
- Height: 25cm (10")

## Special Abbreviations

- **beg** - beginning
- **ch** - chain
- **dc** - double crochet (US single crochet)
- **tr** - treble crochet (US double crochet)
- **dtr** - double treble (US treble)
- **sl st** - slip stitch
- **sp** - space
- **st(s)** - stitch(es)
- **yo** - yarn over
- **[ ]** - repeat instructions in brackets
- **Cluster:** [yo, insert hook, yo, draw through, yo, draw through 2 loops] 3 times in same st, yo, draw through all 4 loops
- **Shell:** (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same st or sp
- **V-st:** (tr, ch 1, tr) in same st or sp

## Special Techniques

**Invisible Colour Change:** Complete last st of old colour to last yarn over, yarn over with new colour and draw through to complete stitch.

**Geometric Panel Pattern (24 sts):**
- **Round 1:** Dc in each st
- **Round 2:** *Ch 3, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, repeat from *
- **Round 3:** *Dc in ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in same sp, dc in dc, repeat from *
- **Round 4:** *V-st in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, repeat from *

## Instructions

### Foundation
Using Colour A and 5.0mm hook, ch 216. Join with sl st to first ch, being careful not to twist chain.

**Verification:** 216 sts ÷ 24-st repeat = 9 complete pattern panels ✓

### Section 1: Base Band (Colour A)
**Rounds 1-6:**
- **Round 1:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), dc in each ch around. Join with sl st to first dc. (216 dc)
- **Rounds 2-6:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around. Join with sl st to first dc.

### Section 2: First Geometric Panel (Colour A)
**Rounds 7-18:** Work Geometric Panel Pattern 3 times over all sts.

**Round 7:** Ch 1, *dc in next dc, [ch 3, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc] 7 times, dc in next 2 dc, repeat from * around. (72 dc, 63 ch-3 sps)

**Round 8:** Ch 1, *dc in next dc, [dc in ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in same sp, dc in dc] 7 times, dc in next 2 dc, repeat from * around.

**Rounds 9-18:** Continue pattern as established, maintaining 24-st repeat per panel.

### Section 3: Transition to Colour B
**Round 19:** Using invisible colour change method, change to Colour B in last st of round 18.

### Section 4: Lace Panel Section (Colour B)
**Rounds 20-31:**

**Round 20:** Ch 4 (counts as tr, ch 1), *skip 1 st, tr in next st, ch 1, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (108 tr, 108 ch-1 sps)

**Round 21:** Ch 1, *dc in tr, ch 1, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first dc.

**Round 22:** Ch 4 (counts as tr, ch 1), *Shell in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip dc, tr in dc, ch 1, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

**Rounds 23-31:** Continue lace pattern, alternating shell rounds with connecting rounds.

### Section 5: Colour C Accent Band
**Rounds 32-37:** Change to Colour C using invisible method.

**Round 32:** Ch 1, work 2 dc in each ch-1 sp and 1 dc in each tr around. (216 dc) ✓

**Rounds 33-37:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around. Work Cluster st in every 12th st on rounds 34 and 36.

### Section 6: Final Geometric Panel (Return to Colour A)
**Rounds 38-45:** Change back to Colour A, work geometric panel pattern as in Section 2.

### Top Edge
**Round 46:** Ch 1, dc in each st around, decreasing 8 sts evenly. (208 dc)
**Round 47:** Ch 1, *dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog, repeat from * around. (166 dc)
**Round 48:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around. Join and fasten off.

**Final Verification:** Pattern maintains structural integrity with planned decreases for comfortable fit ✓

## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends:** Secure all colour changes and starting/ending tails using yarn needle.

2. **Blocking:** Wet block the cowl to measurements. Pin out lace sections to open up the pattern. Allow to dry completely.

3. **Final shaping:** Steam lightly if needed to enhance drape.

## Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with wool-appropriate detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping while damp. Store folded to prevent stretching.

## Design Notes

This cowl celebrates Osaka's blend of traditional craft and modern innovation. The geometric panels represent the city's contemporary architecture, while the traditional stitch patterns honour Japanese textile heritage. The colour progression from charcoal through teal to gold reflects the city's transition from day to night.

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*Pattern designed by [Designer Name] - Advanced level crochet pattern featuring traditional and contemporary Japanese-inspired elements.*