The Claire Cowl–Free Crochet Pattern Inspired by Outlander

I’ve been obsessed with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander book series since I discovered them in my first year of college (it feels like a lifetime ago!) and was unbelievably excited when I heard that Starz was developing a series based on the books! As silly as it sounds, this is something I’ve dreamed about for years, and since the tv series finally premiered a couple of months ago I’ve spent way too much time watching and re-watching every episode. While certain things are definitely different than they are in the books, as is always the case with an adaptation, I have to say I’ve fallen in love with the show and with the story all over again and am so glad the actors they found live up to what I always imagined in my head while reading!

So why am I talking about this on a crochet blog? Well, it’s not just the story or the acting that has me hooked (although it’s wonderful), it’s also the incredible knits that Claire, the protagonist, gets to wear! The story takes place mostly in the 18th century Scottish Highlands, where I can imagine it gets awfully cold and wet, and from what I’ve read the production team has gone to great lengths to accurately portray the local dress and customs of the times, so seeing all the lovely shawls, cowls, capes and gloves included in the costumes just made me appreciate in a new way that for centuries people have been making amazing things with yarn! I especially fell in love with this chunky cowl shown in the first picture, and apparently I’m not the only one! It didn’t take long for knitting patterns inspired by the show to start popping up everywhere, but I’ve had a harder time finding crochet patterns that replicate the look. Since I still haven’t made good on my New Year’s resolution to learn knitting (I’m not giving up, I still have 3 months!) I’ve been playing around with different patterns and came up with my own version of “The Claire Cowl.” Here’s the free pattern:)

 Outlander Inspired Chunky Cowl

3-4 skeins super bulky (6) yarn (I used 4 skeins of Lion Brand Hometown USA in Napa Valley Pinot, 324 yds total)

Size P 11.5mm  hook

Yarn needle for finishing

Note: Cowl is worked in turned rows and then stitched together at the ends.

Ch 21

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.

Row 2: Sl st in 1st dc, *dc in next dc, sl st in next dc. Repeat from * in each dc across, ending with a sl st in the top of turning chain. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3 (Counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you’ve nearly run out of yarn, making sure to leave enough to stitch ends together. You should have a very long rectangle. Now fold it in half with wrong side facing, line up the ends (don’t make a twist in the middle like you would with an infinity scarf) and slip stitch sides together to join ends. Fasten off and weave in ends.

That’s it! This cowl is super warm and cozy and works up pretty quickly, plus the pattern is easily adaptable if you’d like to make it shorter, wider, thinner, etc., just make sure your starting chain is an odd number of stitches and then make however many rows you’d like! Wear it long or doubled up Claire style, and don’t forget to let me know how it turns out ^_^

 

*Note: This is not an official Outlander pattern, just my own interpretation that was inspired by it. I’m not affiliated with the show or the books, I’m just a slightly obsessed fan with a crochet hook ^_^. As with all my patterns, feel free to share, I just ask that you give credit to me as the designer and link back to me. Thanks!!