Outlander Cowl Free Crochet Pattern – quick and easy to make, even for beginners.
Outlander Cowl Crochet Pattern – Three weeks ago I underwent knee surgery to fix a chronic knee problem I’d had for many years now. For the first number of days after my surgery, I was lucky enough to have my dear mother-in-law Lynda come and stay with me during the day while my husband was at work. She was a great nurse and during our time together we decided to watch a series called Outlander.
If you’re not familiar with this TV series from Starz, Outlander is a historical time travel drama based on the best-selling books by Diana Gaboldon. The storyline follows the passionate relationship between two lead characters, combat nurse Claire and the chivalrous and handsome Scottish warrior Jamie.
Diana Gaboldon is one of my mother’s all-time favorite authors – at times I’m sure my father felt pangs of jealousy the way my mom would blather on and on about her leading man Jamie.
This American-British series takes place in Scotland during the mid-1700’s. Outlander is worth watching for the scenery and costumes alone. Their costume designer, Terry Dresbach, is simply amazing and she runs a wonderful website full of her sketches and photos of her costumes. The knitwear, in particular, is drool-worthy.
Inspired by Claire’s cowl in Outlander I decided to see if I could come up with something similar. Of course, Claire’s cowl (seen here) is knit so it’s impossible to get the exact same design and drape but I thought I’d give it a go – a great project being that I was bedridden for a couple of weeks. After a few attempts, I finally settled on this crochet cowl design.
This cowl pattern is easy to make and works up really quickly – this can be done in one evening. I loved the first one I did so much I made a second cowl with different yarn (see photo below).
OUTLANDER CROCHET COWL PATTERN
NOTES: Pattern in U.S. crochet terminology
SKILL LEVEL: EASY
MATERIALS:
- Hook: U.S. P/11.5mm
- Worsted weight size 4 Yarn – You’ll need about 3 skeins/ 128 yds each.
- Darning Needle & Scissors
ABBREVIATIONS:
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- hdc = half double crochet
FINISHED SIZE: 17” tall, 28” circumference.
NOTES: Making a half double-crochet in the back loop isn’t as scary as it sounds. If you’re not familiar with crocheting this way see the photo below to help you know where to find the back loop. To crochet in the back loop of a stitch, insert your crochet hook underneath the back loop only and make your hdc as usual.
The front loop is the one that is closest to you and the back loop is the one that is furthest from you when you hold your crochet work.
PATTERN:
Made by holding 2 pieces of yarn together throughout the pattern.
Make a slip knot and chain 32.
ROW 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, hdc in each st across row, ch 2, turn.
ROW 2 onwards: hdc in the back loop of each st across the row, ch 2, turn. Repeat row 2 until the total length reaches 28” in length.
Finish: Carefully sew those two edges together from the inside/wrong side using the whip stitch and weave in ends.
Looking for more great crochet patterns: Easy Striped Crochet Baby Hat, Simple Shells Light Wrap Crochet Pattern, Done In A Day Baby Blanket, Easy Crochet Can Cozy, Tulip Textured Crochet Dishcloth, Colorful Solid Granny Square Dishcloth, Cross Hatch Button-Up Cowl Crochet Pattern, Easy Thick Crochet Wash & Dish Clothes
Lea Fullerton
November 20, 2015 at 8:41 PM (5 years ago)Cannot wait to try your patterns
Laura Lange
September 23, 2019 at 3:04 PM (1 year ago)On the Outlander cowl, what do you mean
when you say made holding two pieces of yarn for the pattern?
debbie
July 22, 2020 at 10:49 AM (2 months ago)two yarn of wool knitted together to for a pattern full feel also look to over all project
Audrey
December 10, 2015 at 5:03 PM (5 years ago)Love the pattern! So simple but really does look similar to the knit cowl. I was wondering if you doubled the yarn with the second cowl using the Homespun yarn?
Jamey
January 20, 2016 at 11:10 AM (5 years ago)Yes Audrey, I doubled that yarn too. It was a little thicker but still worked beautifully.
~ Jamey
Ashley
December 19, 2015 at 8:53 AM (5 years ago)Do you think his pattern would work using one strand of super bulky size 6 yarn instead of 2 strands of worsted size 4? I have some lion brand hometown USA yarn I want to use.
Jamey
January 20, 2016 at 11:09 AM (5 years ago)I’m not sure Ashley but you could give it a try. I think the main thing is to chain to the suggested 17 inches if 32 chains aren’t quite enough. I’m a big fan of experimenting – if it doesn’t work, rip it out.
~ Jamey
Lisa Schramke
January 24, 2018 at 4:46 AM (3 years ago)Hi Ashley, did the hometown work for you?
I have the same
Lisa
Fran Sherwood
September 26, 2018 at 2:58 AM (2 years ago)Usually, 2 strands of ww yarn will equal bulky yarn, not super bulky.
Gina Hart
December 28, 2015 at 8:28 AM (5 years ago)This is beautiful!! Thank you!!
Rebecca
January 14, 2016 at 5:03 AM (5 years ago)Is the first photo crocheted? I love it!
Jamey
January 19, 2016 at 11:12 AM (5 years ago)Hi Rebecca! Yes, both of these cowls are crocheted with the same pattern. Enjoy.
~ Jamey
Tracy King
March 16, 2016 at 8:59 PM (5 years ago)What a pretty cowl. Thank you so much, I can’t wait to try it.
TheRuralKitchen.co
April 8, 2016 at 3:27 PM (4 years ago)Hi! I just wanted to let you know that your cute pattern will be featured on this weeks “Sharing Saturdays” over at TheRuralKitchen.com! Cheers!
Ericka
June 4, 2016 at 1:01 PM (4 years ago)Hi!
I have a question about hook size. On Ravelry, the hook suggested is 10.00, but here it is 11.5 – do you remember which one you used? So looking forward to making this cowl – beautiful work!
Ruth
June 8, 2016 at 4:10 AM (4 years ago)Loved it. Thanks so much for sharing. I made one for me and one for my friend ( we both love the show too, by the way).
Elainebitt
October 16, 2016 at 9:33 AM (4 years ago)Just wanted to say that I made this cowl using bulky yarn (Loops and Threads Lush Alpaca (#6) in the colour Amethyst), and it turned out great! (I hate holding two threads together).
I will take a pic tomorrow (need my daughter for that! haha) and will post it to my ravelry notebook.
Lauren
November 15, 2016 at 6:32 PM (4 years ago)Hi! I am so excited to try this, but i’m not sure how you crochet with two strands? Do you use two different balls of yarn at the same time and kind of treat it as a big piece of bulky yarn? Thank You!
susan johnston
December 6, 2016 at 11:57 PM (4 years ago)When making this to measure 28 inches long?? do you stretched?
susan johnston
December 6, 2016 at 11:58 PM (4 years ago)sorry mean
Rose Mary Colarusso
December 13, 2016 at 7:14 PM (4 years ago)what make and kind of yarn did you use on the both of them! they are gorgeous,
Pattee
January 7, 2017 at 8:37 AM (4 years ago)I love this cowl. Thsnks so much for the pattern. Do you have a knit pattern for this too. I crochet and knit.
Diana
January 18, 2017 at 7:11 AM (4 years ago)can I add a twist? if so how do you suggest?
Frances Vortman
February 3, 2017 at 2:04 PM (4 years ago)Love the cowl neck pattern – I’ve made several now for family! Do you have a pattern for this scarf for children?
My daughter would love me to make this scarf for them as well. Ages 2, 5 & 8.
Thank you!
Amie
September 22, 2017 at 4:02 PM (3 years ago)Hi! I’m a beginner and I’m having trouble getting my cowl to look like the picture. I did the entire thing and realized that mine did not look like the picture, so I started from scratch which is frustrating, but I wanted to get it right. I watched a bunch of videos on half double crocheting in the back loop and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. It seems like I’m doing all of the steps right, but the end product looks differently. Instead of having two v’s in the front, it looks like a straight line.
Ildiko
October 7, 2017 at 2:16 AM (3 years ago)Hello, I love this cowl, looks awesome! Did you use two strands of yarn with the second cowl? (clouds yarn) Thank you
Peggy
November 16, 2017 at 3:10 PM (3 years ago)I love your patterns! I made a version of the Outlander shrug/cowl last winter that was a huge hit with everyone. Also, it made a fantastic infinity scarf. Thank you for sharing your creative genius!
Karissa
January 12, 2018 at 6:46 AM (3 years ago)I LOVE this pattern. I used just one strand of super bulky yarn, and it still works! However, I can’t get the cowl to lay around my neck as pictured; mine drapes/hangs down instead of up closer to my neck like a turtle neck. Did I do something wrong? Maybe I needed to chain less?
AmyT
January 18, 2018 at 6:59 AM (3 years ago)Hi, what colorway of yarn did you use for the brown one? I LOVE it. I didn’t see a match on the Cascade 220 link though.
katie
March 5, 2018 at 9:34 AM (3 years ago)The best pattern for a cowl. Thank you
Rachel O'Neill
May 30, 2018 at 3:23 PM (2 years ago)How do you get it to sit right?
The top bit doesn’t seem as close as the pic makes out it ought to. Mine falls down.
@rachelisoneill on Instagram for a pic (can’t put it in here)
Grace
January 18, 2019 at 10:26 AM (2 years ago)Thank you for providing this pattern! What yarns were used in the photos? I love the light colorway.
Sandy Bysinger
July 23, 2019 at 11:45 PM (1 year ago)If this is all half double crochet why am I seeing what looks like a back post stitch to make it look like a cable stripe standing up in the picture. Just curious. I am looking for more shawls or cowls from Outlander. I do love the pattern in the picture but wonder about this “cable” type stitch I see in pattern in the finished pcture.
Bernie
October 29, 2019 at 1:34 AM (11 months ago)omg love this and in the middle of watching Outlander the whole 4 series for the second time. Yes the knitwear in the series is drool worthy. I’m definitely going to have a go at this Thank you
Amber
January 19, 2020 at 9:24 PM (8 months ago)So after the chain 2, and turn do u hdc in the first one or skip
Because when I did the first stitch it would fan out
Get longer each row
So I re did it and skipped that first stitch to make it same length each row
Which is it supposed to do?