Muriel Cowl in Rowan Big Wool - RTP003-0012-ENPFRP - Downloadable PDF

Muriel Cowl in Rowan Big Wool – Crochet Pattern by Emma Wright

The Muriel Cowl is a beautifully textured super-chunky crochet cowl designed by Emma Wright and published by Rowan. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a generously sized accessory with a finished top edge height of 36 cm and a circumference of 110 cm, making it a substantial, cosy wrap-around cowl ideal for cold-weather styling.

What Is Being Made

The Muriel Cowl is a seamless-style circular cowl worked in a rich, tactile stitch pattern. Its generous dimensions mean it can be worn looped once as a wide cowl or styled as a snood. The finished piece features a ribbed edge at both the top and bottom, adding structure and a polished finish to the otherwise relaxed, chunky design. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Golden Olive 088, a warm, earthy colourway that highlights the depth of the stitch texture beautifully.

Techniques Used

• Woven basket stitch – the primary stitch pattern used throughout the main body of the cowl, creating a deeply textured, interlocking fabric that resembles a woven basket weave
• Rib edging – worked separately and joined to the top and bottom edges of the cowl using slip stitches, then seamed to complete the neat finish
• Working in the back loop only (BLO) – used to create the characteristic ridged texture in the ribbing sections
• Post stitch crochet – both front post and back post treble stitches are used to build the dimensional, raised texture of the basket weave pattern
• Joining and seaming – the rib edges are seamed together at both the top and bottom of the cowl as part of the making-up process

Stitches Used

• Half treble crochet (htr) – used within the rib edging rows
• Treble crochet (tr) – used in the foundation of the rib and throughout the main body
• Front Post Treble (FPT) – a raised stitch worked around the front of the post of the treble from the row below, contributing to the woven basket texture
• Back Post Treble (BPT) – a raised stitch worked around the back of the post of the treble from the row below, working in tandem with FPT to create the basket weave effect
• Back Post Treble 2 Together (BPT2tog) – a decrease stitch used for shaping
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join the rib edging to the cowl as it is worked
• Chain stitch (ch) – used for foundations and turning

Materials Required

• Yarn: Rowan Big Wool – a 100 g super-chunky weight yarn. The pattern calls for 6 balls, and the photographed sample uses Golden Olive 088. Rowan Big Wool is a pure merino wool yarn known for its exceptional softness and the speed with which it works up on large hooks.
• Hook: A 10 mm (US size 15) crochet hook is recommended throughout the pattern.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is important for matching the finished dimensions. The pattern specifies 8 stitches and 8 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over the woven basket stitch pattern using a 10 mm hook. Crocheting a tension swatch before beginning is always recommended, particularly with super-chunky yarns where small variations in hook size or yarn tension can significantly affect the finished size.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as intermediate, the Muriel Cowl is well suited to crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and are ready to explore post stitch techniques. Front and back post trebles are the key skill to