Kaleidoscope Cowl
Make a statement with wearable art
This interlocking crochet pattern can be found exclusively in my book, Reversible Crochet Sweaters (US publication date: November 4th, 2025). Grab your copy of the book today through my webshop or anywhere else books are sold!
Check out the pattern on Ravelry to see what others have made and to add your own project page! Don’t forget to tag me @crochethighway and use hashtag #ReversibleCrochetSweaters when posting your work on social media 💕
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The Pattern
The Kaleidoscope Cowl is a perfect introduction to working interlocking crochet in the round—approachable, rhythmic, and endlessly wearable.
Its seamless infinity-loop construction means no edges or joins interrupt the repeating pattern, allowing the geometric design to flow continuously around your neck. On one side it features crisp columns of raised tiles while on the other, an elegant grid of open rectangles appears. The result is a reversible accessory that’s equal parts cozy and eye-catching.
It’s also the kind of project you can easily take on the go, because it’s simple enough for relaxed stitching, yet engaging enough to keep things interesting. If you fall in love with the pattern, try the matching Kaleidoscope Beanie or the Kaleidoscope Sweater for a coordinated outfit.
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
MEASUREMENTS
Cowl circumference: 21.25 (23.25, 25.25) inches or 54 (59, 64) cm.
MATERIALS
Yarn
Sport weight
Shown in
Main color (dotted, horizontal lines on the WS): Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 180 yds/165 m per 1.75 oz/50 g skein) in color 94 Turquoise
Contrast color (thin, vertical lines on the RS): Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 180 yds/165 m per 1.75 oz/50 g skein) in color 02 Off White
Hooks
US G/4.0 mm (main gauge), US F/3.75 mm (secondary gauge), or hook sizes needed to obtain gauge. I’m a tight crocheter, so you may have to go down in hook sizes.
Notions
Yarn needle, scissors, 2 locking stitch markers.
YARDAGE
Main color: 1 (1, 2) skein(s) of the suggested yarn or 160 (180, 235) yds/145 (165, 215) m
Contrast color: 1 skein of the suggested yarn or 145 (160, 180) yds/135 (145, 165) m
These yardages are estimated. Scroll down for the tester lookbook with exact yardages from my testers!
I’d LOVE to see your work, so be sure to tag me @CrochetHighway on Instagram and use the #CrochetHighway hashtag for a chance to be featured on my stories!
Yarn Substitution Ideas
Looking for yarn alternatives? Here’s a tried-and-true list from me and my testers! Each yarn has already been tested, approved, and loved by real makers, so you can shop with confidence.
- Alize Cotton Gold
- Cascade Heritage
- Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
- Drops Baby Merino, Drops Safran Cotton
- Ganga Acrowools Warm N Soft
- Hobbii Azalea, Hobbii Twister Solid
- Ice Camilla Cotton
- Lincraft Esther 8ply
- Lion Brand Mandala String, Lion Brand Truboo
- Magic Needles 4Ply Kotton Yarn
- Yarn Bee Yarntopia
- Yarnkart Diya Cotton Yarn
Join my Facebook support Group
I proud myself with writing ultra-detailed patterns for you, so that your crocheting experience is as smooth and seamless as possible. But whenever you have a pattern related question, my Facebook support group is the place to ask. There you can also share your WIPs and brag about your FOs with the community!
Tester lookbook
My patterns would not be so smooth without the input of my team of talented testers. Swipe left & right for more photos of your favorite versions. Want to test my future patterns? Check out how you can become a pattern tester for CrochetHighway!
Allison (knotallisonh on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 180 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as MC, and 160 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 3.75 mm
Mods: I shortened the length of the starting chain just slightly and, for the pattern repeat, I did 22 rounds instead of 24. I was playing a bit of yarn chicken since I misremembered that I was supposed to order 2 skeins of the MC (and was worried about ordering more and it arriving in time).
Pippa (Pippasmakes on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 203 yds of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Merino in Mallard as MC, and 155 yds of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Merino in Rose as CC
Hook size(s): 2.5 mm
Mods: None.
Valencia (VQShelby on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 285 yds of Yarn Bee Yarntopia in Hummus as MC, and 257 yds of Yarn Bee Yarntopia in Anchor as CC
Hook size(s): 2 mm; 3.5 mm
Mods: None.
Briece (Sunkissedthreads on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 180 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino in Sunflower as MC, and 120 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino in Chocolate as CC
Hook size(s): 4 mm
Mods: None.
Size 3, using 203 yds of Cascade Heritage as MC, and 178 yds of Walnut Tree Organic Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 4 mm
Mods: None.
Hannah (Hanp15 on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 226 yds of Drops Baby Merino as MC, and 199 yds of Drops Baby Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 4 mm
Mods: None.
Yamila (crafty-yam on Ravelry)
Size 1, using 153 yds of Penguin Baby Acrylic 3/16 in Burgundy as MC, and 123 yds of Penguin Baby Acrylic 3/16 in Hot Pink as CC
Hook size(s): 3 mm; 3.5 mm
Mods: I did one less pattern repeat, so my cowl has 21 rounds including set-up, + edgings.
Kelsey (heartsncraftsetc on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 234 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as MC, and 170 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 4 mm; 3.75 mm
Mods: None.
Naiara (porosirisyporapis on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 180 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as MC, and 150 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 3.5 mm; 4 mm
Mods: I omitted the last two rounds.
Suraya (SurayaBrunt on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 196 yds of Scheepjes Fanfare as MC, and 174 yds of Scheepjes Fanfare as CC
Hook size(s): 3 mm; 3.5 mm
Mods: None.
Anja (AP706709 on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 175 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as MC, and 150 yds of Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino as CC
Hook size(s): 4.5 mm; 3.75 mm
Mods: None.
Size 2, using 186 yds of GuChet Bamboo 139 as MC, and 162 yds of GuChet Bamboo 139 as CC
Hook size(s): 4 mm; 3.75 mm
Mods: None.
Size 1, using 152 yds of Rosas Crafts Mogollon 3 in 242 as MC, and 141 yds of Rosas Crafts Mogollon 3 in 206 as CC
Hook size(s): 3.5 mm
Mods: None.
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