Skull Cowl

I'm going up a mountain in Austria in a few week so thought i might need something to keep toastie. I really wanted a cowl, but can't (don't like) knitting in the round, as most of the cowl patterns were, so knocked this up. It didn't take too long at all, the only time consuming part was switching between colours for the skull pattern.

Can't remember exactly how this went, but it was something like this....!
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Crochet hook: 5.5mm

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Wool: Teal DK, (worked with two balls at once, double stranded) and Black Bulky
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The skull pattern is 13 stitches across so make a single chain in multiples of 13, or you can add a few extra stitches if you'd prefer a little space between the skulls. I worked 5 skulls into mine with no spaces in between and its a little snug getting it over my head, but fits well around the neck.
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Join the chain to the beginning with a slip stitch.

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Work in the round single crocheting about 8 rows.
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When you have the desired number of rows start working the skull pattern from bottom to top (see below). You have to count carefully for the first couple of rows, but you can easily see where the stitches go as the skull shape emerges.

I worked the teal and black without breaking the yarn, just carrying the yarn i wasn't working across the back, wrapping round the back of the working yarn occasionally is the gaps were larger than 4/5 stitches.

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Crochet stitch charts are odd to me, because when you crochet (maybe its just me!) the stitches look more like a brick wall that stitches lined up like in knitting, but the one below works well, the skull slants slightly to the left but looks ok!

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Finish working the skulls, then work 5 rounds above, fasten with slip stitch and weave in ends.

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Black border was made by single stitch around the bottom and top.

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Enjoy! put pics up of what you make!