Rowan Muriel Cowl Crochet Pattern

Rowan Muriel Cowl

What is Being Made

The Rowan Muriel Cowl is an intermediate-level crochet cowl designed by Emma Wright. This finished piece measures 36cm in height with a circumference of 110cm at the top edge, making it a substantial neck accessory suitable for layering and warmth.

Craft and Technique Overview

This project is worked entirely in crochet using a 10mm (US 15) crochet hook. The cowl employs a sophisticated construction method that combines multiple stitch techniques to create visual texture and structural integrity. The design begins with a narrow ribbed foundation that is later expanded into a circular form, demonstrating intermediate-level shaping skills.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Muriel Cowl incorporates several key crochet stitches and techniques:

• Rib Stitch: Worked in half trebles (htr) using the back loop only (BLO) method, this creates the initial foundation strip measuring approximately 90cm in length before the cowl is shaped into its circular form.
• Half Treble (htr): Used as the primary stitch for the ribbed base section, providing a dense, structured fabric.
• Double Crochet (dc): Applied along the left edge of the rib to establish 88 stitches for transitioning into the circular construction.
• Treble (tr): Serves as the foundation stitch for the main body of the cowl.
• Front Post Treble (FPT): A textured stitch worked around the front of trebles from the previous row, creating dimensional relief in the pattern.
• Back Post Treble (BPT): A textured stitch worked around the back of trebles from the previous row, complementing the FPT stitches.
• Woven Basket Stitch: The primary stitch pattern for the main body, created by alternating groups of four back post trebles with four front post trebles in a repeating sequence. This creates a woven appearance with excellent drape and visual interest.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds and secure edges throughout the construction.

Construction Method

The cowl is constructed in two distinct phases. The first phase creates a flat ribbed strip using rib stitch worked back and forth in rows. Once this strip reaches approximately 90cm in length, the piece is turned and double crochet stitches are evenly placed along the left edge to create 88 stitches. These stitches are then joined into a round, transforming the flat strip into a circular form. The second phase works in continuous rounds, establishing treble stitches and then transitioning into the woven basket stitch pattern, which is repeated to create the textured body of the cowl.

Materials

The Rowan Muriel Cowl is worked using Rowan Big Wool yarn, a bulky-weight yarn requiring 100 grams (photographed in the colorway Golden Olive 088). A 10mm (US 15) crochet hook is used throughout the entire project. The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology.

Tension and Finishing

The specified tension is 8 stitches by 8 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over the woven basket stitch using a 10mm (US 15) crochet hook. After completion, the cowl should be pressed according to standard yarn care instructions. The finishing process includes seaming the rib edges together at both the top and bottom of the cowl to complete the circular form.