Cowl Bandwagon

Everyone's knitting and crocheting cowls for gifts this holiday season. I've decided to jump on that bandwagon and go for it! I'm a fan of the Neck-Warmer actually....instead of a continuous tube like a cowl, this is really just a short scarf with buttons. I tried a few knitted versions....too slow for me. I experimented with some crochet stitches....too bulky. I finally found one crochet stitch that works for a neck-warmer. It's the basic granite stitch (sometimes called the Moss Stitch), but instead of single crochet stitches, I used half-double crochet stitches. It's airy, light and flexible, even with bulky yarn.Sooooooooo....I zoomed over to Yarns Unlimited in Santa Monica yesterday (my go-to LYS) and picked out some Trendsetter "Tonalita" and some Ironstone "Colorchanges." Both are lovely, luxurious yarns in faboo color combos. I have several buttons on-hand. WOW! How fast!!! This is a perfect, quicky holiday gift for deserving friends and co-workers!
Specs: Size "H" crochet hook. Chain 95. Row 1: Single crochet across. Next 10 rows: Granite Stitch, using half-double crochets. Single crochet border around entire piece. Sew on button. The holes in this stitch pattern are large enough for a button to go through, making this an adjustable neck warmer!