Dare to Make It: Holiday

Totally Tubular: How to Sew a Cowl

cal patch, contributor

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A cowl is the perfect quick and cozy gift!

Cal Patch

The smaller cowl.

Cal Patch

The giant cowl.

Cal Patch

A cowl is the perfect quick and cozy gift!

Photo: Cal Patch

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I love cowls. I'm always just a bit chilly in the winter, and a cowl adds that snuggle factor to just about any outfit. They're also incredibly versatile: They can be casual or dressy, and work for women, babies, and even men! I like cowls better than scarves because they're more practical for wearing indoors (no pesky scarf ends in your way) AND they can't fall off!

Most of the cowls you see are either knit or crocheted, but consider how easy (and fast!) it is to SEW a cowl. It's merely a tube! Which means one seam! Hooray, it's the ideal project for beginners, tight budgets, lazy folks, or those who leave their gifting 'til the very last minute.

This is also a perfect project for using up scraps, as they don't take much fabric. I'd recommend using only knits (jersey, rib, fleece), as the stretch is good for getting it over the head. Recycled sweaters work well, too.

I made two different styles, or, really, sizes. One is a typical cowl that fits fairly snugly around the neck and one is the trendier giant cowl. This one can be twisted and doubled around the neck or worn loosely draped over the shoulders. You can experiment with all kinds of lengths and widths so no two are alike. Check out the range of possibilities!

Here's the smaller cowl on a mannequin...

...and here's the giant one, loosely draped over the shoulders...

...and here's the giant one doubled-up for a snug fit.

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Comments (8)

shelleyskud writes: I love making scarves but never wear them. this is JUST what i'm looking for. Thank you Cal
Posted: 8:48 am on January 3rd

tequello writes: How awesome!!! I'm going to make one and simply add some buttons. Thanks for the great idea!
Posted: 4:13 pm on January 1st

purplebouquet writes: The timing of this idea was perfect. On Dec. 23, I found myself in need of a couple of presents. After reading this, I stopped at my local fabric store and found some black poly velvet with some sparkling ribbon interwoven. One yard yielded four small cowls, about 24 inches wide, 14 inches long. I overlocked all the edges with pearl rayon thread to it would look a little dressier. I attached a recipe card with instructions ("Recipe for: Stylish Warmth; Ingredients: Velvet Cowl; Directions: Pull over head so flared opening is at bottom. Scrunch around neck according to taste. Optional: add jewelry."), and had four easy, inexpensive, stylish gifts, which were enthusiastically received.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Posted: 10:34 am on December 30th

floristic writes: Thanks for the idea. I know have a way to use up that zebra prints remnants that I have.
Posted: 12:44 am on December 30th

grumpyor writes: great idea, try it with polor fleese.
Posted: 9:18 pm on December 21st

lindsaydonner writes: So,it would have worked better had the remnant I was using stretched lengthwise, instead of width-wise. That said, I finished a project, I'm warmer and it would be totally easy to embellish! Yay, thanks!
Posted: 4:19 pm on December 20th

queenopearls writes: Cal, you are so cool! I love this and you are so kind to share. I'll work on some today for last minute gifts and, of course, for me!
Fleece, trims, buttons, devore, ... not to forget mini-cuffs to keep the cold from headed up coat sleeves...
=-D Thank you, Christina
Posted: 7:43 am on December 20th

islandgirlbags writes: Love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted: 3:18 pm on December 16th

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