Loop BEN

Loop BEN Cowl by Eva Winckler

Product Overview

Loop BEN is an intermediate-level crochet cowl designed by Eva Winckler. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cowl with a circumference of approximately 52 cm and a height of 24 cm after washing and blocking. The design showcases textured stitch work suitable for crafters with some crochet experience.

What Is Being Made

Loop BEN is a neck cowl—a circular, tubular garment worn around the neck for warmth and style. The cowl is worked in the round, creating a seamless tube that can be worn as a single loop or doubled for extra coziness and texture visibility.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate crochet techniques:

• Relief Cluster Ribbing (Relief-Büschelrippen): The primary stitch pattern worked in rounds, creating a three-dimensional textured surface with raised elements
• Cluster Stitches (Büschelmaschen): Multi-loop clusters formed by repeating yarn overs and pulling through multiple loops simultaneously, creating dimensional texture
• Front Relief Cluster Stitches (Relief-Büschelmaschen von vorne): Cluster stitches worked from the front around the stitch heads of the previous row, adding depth and visual interest
• V-Stitches (V-Maschen): Two double crochet stitches worked into a single stitch space, creating a V-shaped opening
• Double Crochet with Foundation Loop (Stäbchen mit Fußschlinge): A foundational stitch technique used in the pattern construction

Stitch Pattern Details

The foundation pattern (Grundmuster) is based on relief cluster ribbing worked in rounds with a stitch count divisible by 4. The pattern begins with rounds 1–3 worked once from the crochet chart, then round 3 repeats continuously throughout the piece. From round 2 onward, V-stitches are worked between the V-stitches of the previous round, while cluster stitches are executed as front relief clusters around the stitch heads below. This creates a consistent, reversible texture ideal for a cowl.

Materials Required

Yarn: Lana Grossa Superbingo (100% virgin wool, 55 m per 50 g), 150 g total in colorway 051 Currygelb (curry yellow). This chunky-weight yarn works quickly and creates substantial fabric with excellent drape and warmth.

Tools: A 6 mm crochet hook and a wool needle for weaving in ends and finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 11.5 stitches by 6.5 rows over a 10 cm square when measured in the relief cluster ribbing pattern. The finished cowl measures approximately 52 cm in circumference and 24 cm in height after washing and blocking, ensuring proper fit and drape.

Difficulty Level

Loop BEN is rated as an intermediate project. While the individual techniques are manageable, the combination of cluster stitches, relief work, and maintaining stitch placement in the round requires attention to detail and familiarity with reading crochet charts. Crafters comfortable with basic crochet and ready to expand their skills will find this pattern rewarding.