Moebius Basketweave Cowl
Just one skein of yarn, a few hours of knitting, and a quick seam! Free pattern + free video tutorial.
Size: approximately 40” long (before seaming into a moebius) and 7” wide
Needles: Size 15 US, 24” or 32” circulars
Yarn: One skein of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick (a super bulky weight yarn), 106 yards (The colors I used were Cranberry and Charcoal)
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
Gauge: 2.5 stitches per inch in stockinette
This pattern is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD, and the video can be viewed at the bottom of this post. (There are also links to the three parts of the video in the pattern.)
I am getting many questions about modifying this pattern. It’s a simple pattern and easy to modify. Here are some guidelines:
You can use any yarn/needle combination you like. To knit the pattern as written, you will need to find a yarn/needle combination that gives you 2.5 stitches per inch. (You can also get gauge by holding more than one strand of thinner yarn together.) If you would like to use a different gauge, you can knit a swatch, measure your stitches per inch, then determine how many you will need to cast-on to get 40″ total length. Remember, you will need to cast on a multiple of 4, plus 2 extra stitches for the seam.
If you use a different yarn weight and gauge, here is how you can determine the yardage you will need. Start with a full skein/ball of yarn, and measure that on a kitchen scale. Knit the first 5 rows of the pattern, and measure the yarn again. Subtract the weight of the used skein from the weight of the full skein. This number is 1/4 of the number of grams/ounces you will need to finish the cowl. If your gauge is considerably smaller and you’d like to work more than 20 rows, you will need to double the weight of the first 5 rows, then multiply it by as many 10 row repeats as you’d like to work.
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Awesome!! Thank you!!
Comment by Amy — November 7, 2012 @ 9:41 am
I just love bulky yarn for that speed
I have question – is it possible to include metric system in the written-pattern, for example for needles size? It will be really more convenient for me since I’m not able to remember US sizes
Grüße from Munchen from Polish girl
Comment by Olga — November 7, 2012 @ 9:49 am
Hi Olga – yes, the metric needle size shows up on Ravelry, but I didn’t list it here. The needle size is 10mm for this project.
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 7, 2012 @ 9:52 am
Love this! I think I have 2 skeins of that yarn! I can make 2 quick Christmas gifts! Thank you!
Comment by Donna — November 7, 2012 @ 10:27 am
Thanks, again, Staci, for another excellent tutorial. I have a few left-over skeins of scrumptious bulky weight wool waiting for a purpose. Up to the Knitting Studio I go!
Comment by Donna — November 7, 2012 @ 10:48 am
Staci,
Did you use a row marker to mark the beginning?
I didn’t hear you mention it so I wondered if you did becaused it seemed valuable.
Comment by Jessica — November 7, 2012 @ 11:17 am
Jessica – this piece is knit flat, so there is no need for a stitch marker.
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 7, 2012 @ 11:25 am
Staci
I believe you have a pattern and video on 2 socks on 1 circular – magic loop, I can’t find it, can you help. I am doing this but am getting ladders at the joins, feel I need to go back and start over. Thank you for your help.
Marilyn
Comment by Marilyn — November 7, 2012 @ 3:16 pm
Staci,
I am new to knitting and really love your site. It has helped me alot with learning all the stitches. I love the idea of the Cowl scarf that you added today. I am looking for a cowl neck scarf very similar to the one posted however I would like to be able to wrap around neck once or twice. Do you think this pattern would be ok for that if I double the rows? Should I also not have it so wide? Perhaps you have another pattern that I am not seeing similar to what I am talking about. Thanks so much for your help.
Dorie
Comment by Dorie — November 7, 2012 @ 6:02 pm
Staci, you are such a gem! I have learned so much from you and made many wonderful things, thanks to your teaching. I will add this mobius scarf to the list. I so look forward to everything you post. Thank you, thank you.
~karen
Comment by Karen — November 7, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
What a wonderful design. Thank you so very much.
Comment by Shirley — November 7, 2012 @ 10:57 pm
I recently joined you YouTube channel and it is great! thank you so much, I am going to buy some yarn and start my cowl!
tnx!
Iris.
Comment by Iris Mishly — November 8, 2012 @ 1:00 am
Thanks so much for this pattern! It’s so cute and will be a great quick gift!
Comment by Barbie D. — November 8, 2012 @ 5:18 am
Can this also be done on regular needles? (Not circular)
Comment by Dorie — November 8, 2012 @ 9:41 am
Dorie – there are too many stitches to fit on straight needles. You could give it a try, but I don’t think they would fit on even the longest straights.
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 8, 2012 @ 10:12 am
Love the look of this cowl and that it knits up so quickly. Thank you for another great pattern and video, Staci.
Comment by Pammie — November 8, 2012 @ 7:05 pm
hello stacy
i think its wonderfull al off your yutube films.
i learn to knit whit it and i love your technieks.
also i love this coll and i think im going to make that but i need needle’s 10 mm first hihihih.
im from holland so whe work here whit mm instead of us size.
i keep track of your movies and im curious for the next whan. (sorry my englisch is not really good but he i hope you understand me)
greetz from the netherlands
petra
Comment by fanca — November 9, 2012 @ 12:56 am
I would like to knit this – and thanks for sharing. I do not have #15 needles – I do have #13′s. My question is – how many more stitches should I cast on to make up for the needle size difference? I would like my finished project to be the same as yours – 40″ long x 7″ wide. For the width – I’ll just see how it goes – I can always add a row if I fall short of the 7″.
Thanks
Belinda
Comment by Belinda Perez — November 9, 2012 @ 6:32 am
Belinda – you will need to knit up a gauge swatch to see how many more you’ll need to cast on to make it 40″ long. Remember, your cast-on number needs to be a multiple of 4 plus 2.
Good luck!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 9, 2012 @ 7:07 am
I have been wondering what to knit as an easy but useful Christmas gift for the women in my family. This will work perfectly! Thank you so much for another great tutorial Staci. At last I can use the size 15 needles in my Addi Click set.
Comment by Charlotte — November 10, 2012 @ 12:44 pm
Hi Staci,
My 5yr old’s been asking for a cowl to match her fingerless mittens I knitted her. How do you think I could adapt the pattern to fit around a little neck?
Thanks a million – always come to your site for advice all the way from France!
Comment by Laura — November 14, 2012 @ 7:34 am
Laura – yes, you can make this pattern in any size you want. Just remember that the cast on number needs to be a multiple of 4, plus 2 to maintain the basketweave pattern.
Good luck!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 14, 2012 @ 7:52 am
I was already to start and got my needles. Looked at the video again and realized I have Lion Brand HomeSpun yarn. (Bulky not Super Bulky) I went to Lion Brand’s website and looked up the Wool-Ease Thick & Quick it says its 6oz/170g 106 yd. My HomeSpun is the same weight just a little longer at 185 yds. Should I double to make the Super bulky or is just Bulky ok? I’m a newbie and have never guaged before. I love your website and all your videos!!
Comment by Annie — November 15, 2012 @ 2:08 pm
Hi Annie – to follow the pattern as written, you will need to check gauge with the different yarn, and adjust your needles (if necessary) to get 2.5 stitches per inch. This video will help you with checking gauge:
http://verypink.com/2010/12/21/checking-gauge/
Hope that helps!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 15, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
Stacy, I love your site and all your videos. You really have taught me a lot! When binding off, do you bind off in knit, or purl, or both?
Comment by Kathy — November 25, 2012 @ 8:26 am
Hi Kathy – thank you for the note. For this pattern, I suggest you bind-off using a regular knit BO. (For future reference, when I recommend binding-off “in pattern”, I always put it in the written pattern.) Good luck!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — November 25, 2012 @ 8:38 am
Hi Stacy, I just finished my first Basketweave Cowl (many others to follow!!!) and I am about to begin an other cowl. The yarn I am going to use is multicolour and I am trying to decide what stitch should I use. I want something simple (the yarn is already too fancy), reversible and not curling at the edges. I am thinking garter stitch but I find it time and yarn consuming. What would you suggest?
Thank you!
Anna
Comment by Anna — December 7, 2012 @ 3:55 am
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL MOEBIUS THANKS
Comment by adriana — December 15, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
Just finished my scarf. I enjoyed the pattern but didn’t get my “magic moment” I waited to the end but couldn’t get it to tighten all the way down. Everything is lined up so I guess it doesn’t matter. Thanks for the pattern and lesson. Love your site, Molly
Comment by Molly Windsor — December 29, 2012 @ 7:54 pm
im kinda confuse….im new at this so please dont be mad….after im done with role 6-10 i have to repeat role 1-5 and then 6-10 again or i have to keep on reaping just role 6-10 sorry….i did say i was confuse
Comment by mindy — January 4, 2013 @ 8:23 pm
Mindy – repeat 1-5 AND 6-10 again.
Good luck!
Comment by s t a c i — January 4, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
wonderful clear instruction and visual demostration. the instructor is a joy. thank you.
Comment by roseann lee — January 6, 2013 @ 2:44 pm
thank you for clearing that for me….there alot of things i saw that i like i would try to do them im always trying thing and i end up undoing it cuz i mess up
Comment by mindy — January 7, 2013 @ 8:43 am
I have watched a lot of your youtube videos and I love every single of them. Very clear instruction, easy to follow. Being a selftaught knitter, your youtube on knitting socks really helped me and I have knitted several socks now. Is it possible to knit this mobius cowl in a round?
Comment by Linda Haddon — January 12, 2013 @ 1:43 pm
Hi Linda – thank you for the note. I address your question in the video…a moebius cast-on is fussy and difficult to work, which is why I chose to knit it flat with a seam. It is possible, but I don’t consider it very pleasant knitting!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — January 12, 2013 @ 2:09 pm
Hi Staci,
Do you know where I can find the cheapest size 15 circular needles with a 16″ cord? You don’t have to go searching for a place, but I was just wondering if you would recommend someplace… thank you so much! I can’t wait to try this cowl!!
Comment by Kaitlyn — February 7, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
[...] To get your free copy of your pattern and follow along: http://verypink.com/2012/11/07/moebiu… [...]
Pingback by How To Knit A Moebius Basketweave Cowl — February 9, 2013 @ 11:07 am
[...] To get your free copy of your pattern and follow along:http://verypink.com/2012/11/07/moebius-basketweave-cowl/ [...]
Pingback by Moebius Basketweave Cowl | Pattern Board — March 4, 2013 @ 1:56 pm
I have followed your instructions to the letter and its been great fun. however,……I get it to drape beautifully as a single strand but I am getting into all sorts of problems when I come to double it up round my neck, to then pull up over the ears!
The seam is always where I don’t want it to be and the moebius twist gets lost.
Please help or add just a little bit to be beginning of your tutoria on how to put the cowl on and drape it properly for idiots like me!!! Being one of the older generation I thought I would try and get ‘with it’ by knitting this cowl but I just feel stupid that I am falling at the last hurdle.
Thanks Ros
Comment by Ros — March 13, 2013 @ 2:44 pm
Ros – don’t over-think it, I didn’t do anything special! Just wrap the cowl around your neck twice, with the seam in back, and pull up the wrap (without the seam) over your ears and head. That’s it!
S t a c i
Comment by s t a c i — March 13, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
If I were to do this for my girls they are 6 and 4 yrs old how many stitches do I need ,also how can I usr this. Patrern on a hat?
Comment by mindy — April 26, 2013 @ 3:08 pm