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Ribbed Wool Blend Cowl Hood with Face Opening

A snug, beginner-friendly neck warmer worked in continuous rounds with an attached hood and open face.

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Difficulty
🟢 Beginner
Time
⏱️ 4-6 hours
Hook
🪡 I / 5.5 mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 350 yards
Est. Cost
💰 $12–$19
Finished Size
📏 18 inches (46 cm) circumference at neck x 12 inches (30 cm) hood depth
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 14 sc x 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in back loop only single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
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At a Glance

The Ribbed Wool Blend Cowl Hood with Face Opening is a free Beginner-level wearable pattern using Worsted weight yarn with a I / 5.5 mm hook . Estimated time: 4-6 hours. Finished size: 18 inches (46 cm) circumference at neck x 12 inches (30 cm) hood depth. You'll need approximately approximately 350 yards of yarn.

9 steps across 6 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Keep the cowl relaxed as you work; do not pull stitches tight. The back loop only technique creates natural horizontal ribs.
  1. Round 1
    Ch 64, st">sl st to first ch to form a ring. (64 sts)
  2. Rounds 2-18
    Sc in blo of each st around. (64 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: These 24 stitches form the left half of the hood. Leave the remaining 40 stitches unworked for now. Mark the first and last stitch of this section for later reference when seaming side edges to the cowl.
  1. Row 1
    Ch 1, sc in blo of next 24 sts. Turn. (24 sts)
  2. Rows 2-12
    Ch 1, sc in blo of each st across. Turn. (24 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Work these 12 rows identically to the left section. The center 16 stitches of the cowl remain unworked; they will form the face opening. The 16 center stitches are positioned directly below the face opening. The left hood section occupies 24 stitches, the right hood section occupies 24 stitches, and the center 16 stitches bridge the opening. This creates the face opening stitch count of 16 foundation stitches plus row-ends from both sections (approximately 24 row-ends total, yielding roughly 40 stitches around the perimeter of the face opening when combined).
  1. Row 1
    With yarn attached to the right side of the cowl, ch 1, sc in blo of next 24 sts. Turn. (24 sts)
  2. Rows 2-12
    Ch 1, sc in blo of each st across. Turn. (24 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: This seam closes the top of the hood. Work 1 stitch in each row-end stitch along the 12-row depth to ensure a secure closure.
  1. Step 1
    With wrong sides together, align the top edges of the left and right hood sections. Using yarn needle and matching yarn, whip stitch the two edges together with an invisible seam. (0 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: This secures the side edges of the hood sections to the cowl, preventing the hood from slipping. Use the same invisible whip stitch technique used for the top seam.
  1. Step 1
    With yarn needle and matching yarn, seam the left edge of the left hood section to the left edge of the cowl base. Align the foundation row of the hood section (Row 1) with the cowl base and whip stitch down the side, working through both layers. Repeat for the right side, seaming the right edge of the right hood section to the right edge of the cowl base.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: This creates a finished edge around the face opening and reinforces the hood attachment to the cowl base. You are working into: (1) the 16 unused center stitches from the cowl base foundation ring, and (2) the exposed row-end stitches created by the 12 rows of the left and right hood sections. If your stitches appear uneven, you may work 2 sc in some row-ends to even out the edge. The total should be roughly 38-42 stitches depending on gauge and your individual work.
  1. Step 1
    Using a standing single crochet (or cut yarn, reattach to cowl with yarn needle, and begin with ch 1, sc), attach yarn at the right edge of the face opening where the hood section meets the cowl. Working into the 16 unused center stitches and the row-ends created by the left and right hood sections, work sc in each available stitch and row-end around the perimeter of the face opening. Aim for approximately 40 stitches total (16 foundation stitches + 12 row-ends from left section + 12 row-ends from right section), adjusting as needed for an even edge. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all ends using yarn needle. Block the cowl hood gently by laying it flat or trying it on and allowing it to air dry naturally. Do not stretch aggressively. If desired, lightly steam the ribbed sections to even out the texture, keeping the iron 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the yarn.

🛒 Materials

Worsted weight wool-blend yarn
350 yards (320 m), acrylic-wool blend or 100% wool, in one color
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Crochet hook
Size I (5.5 mm)
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Yarn needle
For weaving in ends
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📖 Abbreviations

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ch — chain → sc — single crochet → sl st — slip stitch → blo — back loop only → sts — stitches →

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📌 Before You Begin

💡

This pattern is worked in continuous spiral rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

💡

The ribbed texture is created by working into the back loop only in every row.

💡

The hood is worked in rows, then seamed and attached to the neck opening.

🎁 Ways to Use This

✦

A thoughtful gift for anyone who bikes, hikes, or commutes outdoors during cold months; the face opening allows full visibility while keeping the neck and lower face warm.

✦

Perfect for layering under winter coats or wearing on its own around the house on chilly mornings.

✦

An excellent first project for a beginner wanting to practice continuous rounds and seaming in a quick-finishing cowl that fits immediately.

✦

A practical hand-knit gift for someone with a sensitive neck who appreciates the softness of wool blend but finds traditional cowls too bulky.

🧺 Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool wash or mild soap. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all soap is removed. Gently squeeze out excess water; do not wring. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping as needed. If your yarn is 100% acrylic, machine washing on delicate cycle is acceptable, but hand washing will extend the life of the garment. Avoid direct heat and sunlight during drying.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

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Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Worsted). You'll need about approximately 350 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
Yes! This is one of the friendlier patterns to start with. You only need to know: ch, sc, sl st, blo. Work slowly, count your stitches at the end of each row, and don't be afraid to frog (rip back) and redo a section — that's how everyone learns. Budget about 4-6 hours; beginners often take a bit longer, and that's totally fine.
Usually it's the joining or finishing — where individual sections meet and need to align. Read through the entire pattern once before you start so there are no surprises. Use stitch markers generously to track your place, especially in rounds. If a section looks wrong, count your stitches before proceeding — catching an error early saves a lot of frogging later.
For this pattern, gauge is "14 sc x 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in back loop only single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool wash or mild soap. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all soap is removed. Gently squeeze out excess water; do not wring. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping as needed. If your yarn is 100% acrylic, machine washing on delicate cycle is acceptable, but hand washing will extend the life of the garment. Avoid direct heat and sunlight during drying. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.