A free crochet button cowl pattern which has a ton of beautiful texture provided by the Falling Leaves Stitch. A simple drop stitch variation creates visual interest texture in this easy repetitive pattern! With button accents and fun fringe, this trendy cowl will be the perfect Fall accessory!

I really do love the Falling Leaves Stitch! When designing the Autumn Rhapsody Blanket, it was one of the very first stitches I had decided must be in the blanket. I really love how the stitches have such a unique and textured look and I really enjoy stitch patterns that are easy to memorize without a lot of complicated steps.

I have a complete photo and video tutorial of the Falling Leaves Stitch if you would like to learn more about this beautiful stitch. If you enjoy my videos, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you never miss a video!

Made with Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic* in three different colors which helps the texture in this stitch really pop! This is a very soft acrylic #4 medium weight yarn with soft flecks of white throughout creating the rustic look. Feel free to substitute any medium weight yarn of your choosing.

*This post contains affiliate links.  You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!  

In fact, this pattern also makes the perfect 1 skein project! I stitched up a cowl with 1 Caron Cake in Poached Pear for ease of color work. No changes in pattern – worked up to the same size as the original. However, I didn’t end up having quite enough yarn to add the fringe. But, I think it looks great without as well!

Really easy construction for this cowl – made with one rectangle folded together with decorative buttons sewn to the side. Add the optional fringe for a fun look. I really do love cowls with buttons & fringe – so fabulous and trendy!

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

Purchase the ad-free pdf of this pattern for a small fee at HERE.  Thank you so much for supporting my work!

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You may also like the following free crochet patterns at Nana’s Crafty Home:

1. So Long Summer Scarf
2. Sassy Autumn Ribbed Crochet Cowl
3. Autumn Rhapsody Pillow

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Falling Leaves Cowl – free button cowl crochet pattern

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic Okie Wheat 2.7 oz / 170 yds (Color A)
Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic Pumpkin Spice 2.3 oz / 145 yds (Color B)
Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic Red Roads 2.3 oz / 145 yds (Color C) 

Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook

3 Wood 1 1/2” buttons
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Embroidery Floss (for sewing on buttons)

Approximate finished size:  10” wide x 40” long rectangle

Gauge: 12 rows = 4” & 14 dc st = 4”

Abbreviations:

yo = yarn over
st = stitch
RS = right side
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sk = skip

Notes about Pattern:

• Ch 3 at the beginning of each row counts as a stitch
• Buttons are decorative – sewn through both layers of the cowl.
• To resize:  This stitch is worked in multiples of 4 + 1 + 1
• Skipped st in current row refers to stitch directly behind the leaf stitch.

Special Stitches:

Leaf stitch:  (yo, insert hook in indicated st, pull up a loop) twice, yo, pull through 4 loops on hook, yo and pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Row 1: With Color A, (RS) ch 130, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end.  NOTE:  (optional) Place a stitch marker around the 5th sc made (this will be the stitch you will work your 1st leaf st around in row 3. Turn. (129)

Row 2:  ch 1, sc in same st at base of ch 1 and in each st to end. Turn.  Fasten off color A.

Row 3:  (NOTE: Skipped st in current row refers to stitch directly behind the leaf stitch.) With Color B, ch 3, dc in next 3 st, *1 leaf st (see special stitches section) around the sc post st from 2 rows below (if you placed a stitch marker in row 1, leaf st around sc with st marker), sk next st in current row, dc in next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last st, dc in last st.  Turn.

Row 4:  repeat row 2. Fasten off Color B

Row 5:  With Color C, ch 3, dc in next st, *1 leaf st around the dc post st from 2 rows below, sk next st in current row, dc in next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last 3 st, 1 leaf st around dc post st from 2 rows below, sk next st in current row, dc in last 2 st.  Turn.

Row 6:  repeat row 2.  Fasten off color C

Row 7:  With Color A, ch 3, dc in next 3 st, *1 leaf st (see special stitches section) around the dc post st from 2 rows below, sk next st in current row, dc in next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last st, dc in last st.  Turn.

Row 8:  repeat row 2. Fasten off color A

Row 9 – 32:  repeat rows 5 – 8 (alternating colors A, B, C)

Fasten off.

Buttons

Lay cowl wrong side up and bring ends together to form a triangle.  Make sure the edges line up together. Place your buttons evenly along the edge and sew them through both layers to hold the cowl together. You can also place a small stitch through both layers where the “x” is to hold the underside of the cowl in place (optional).

Fringe (optional)

Cut 9” fringe approximately 35 – 40 strands of each color.  With the right side of the cowl facing up, start at bottom corner and attach them in groups of 3 strands (one strand of each color) with 1” spacing between fringe along the entire bottom edge of the cowl.