The Rhubarb Crumble Cowl has only been available previously as a paid pattern. Now, you can find it here as a free pattern, too. If you’d rather have a printable version without ads, the paid version is still available on Ravelry and Etsy.
This pattern is Day 15 of my 2024 Digital Advent Calendar.
Introduction
I love baking crumbles. They’re quick and easy, they’re almost impossible to screw up, and the crisp topping is a delightful exercise in texture. A lot of people use peach or apple, but sometimes that gets a little overpoweringly sweet. The slight tartness of rhubarb contrasted with the sweet, crackly topping hits all the right flavor notes for me.
This cowl has lots of texture, from small seed stitch pebbles to large bobbles to little eyelet holes, that is meant to mimic the topping of a good crumble. What’s more, the pattern is easy to memorize, just like a good crumble topping recipe. Because this is knit in a DK yarn and takes just one skein, it also works up quickly and makes for good gift-knitting.
I try my very best to make sure that all of my patterns are error-free and easy to follow. If you have any trouble with this pattern, please let me know! Please send help requests to help@abeeinthebonnet.com.
And of course, if you share photos of your project on social media, I’d love to see them! Please tag your photos with #RhubarbCrumbleCowl and #ABITBKnits to share with others.
Pattern Specs
| SIZES | One size Finished measurements: 9” (23 cm) x 10.5” (27 cm) |
| MATERIALS | DK-weight yarn, 220-250 yd (202-229 m). A note about yardage: the sample used 213 yd, and many DK skeins have 220 yd. If you find yourself a smidge short, skip working the very last round and just bind off instead. Nobody will notice. Sample shown knit in Onyx Fiber Arts Sophia Hand-Dyed Semi-Solid on DK-weight base, 100% Superwash Merino, 250 yd (229 m), 115 grams, 4 Ply |
| GAUGE | 4” (10 cm) square = 15 stitches and 30 rows in seed stitch after blocking |
| NEEDLES | One set of needles for your preferred style of circular knitting in a size to match gauge listed above Suggested needle size: US 6 (4.0 mm) |
| TOOLS | One stitch marker for end of round, plus five optional markers between pattern segmentsSize G (4.5 mm) crochet hook (optional)Tapestry needle for weaving in ends |
| SKILL LEVEL | IntermediateTechniques: Knitting in the round, bobbles, increases, decreases |
| Abbreviations | ||
| k = knit | p = purl | |
| mb = make bobble | yo = yarn over | |
| sl1, k2tog, psso = slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over | ||
| ktbl = knit through the back loop | ||
Technique Notes
This pattern uses a crochet bobble technique to create small, delicate bobbles. Here is a step-by-step guide for how to make those bobbles. If you would prefer a video tutorial, please click this link.
This is a technique I learned from Hitomi Shida in the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible, but the instructions are my own.
1. Insert your crochet hook knitwise through the stitch where you will be creating your bobble. Yarn over, draw yarn through, and slide the stitch off the needle.
2. Wrap yarn around hook, insert hook through the same stitch where you will be creating your bobble, yarn over and draw yarn through (3 loops on hook).
3. Repeat step two twice again, for a total of three repeats (7 loops on hook).
4. Yarn over and draw yarn through all 7 loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over and draw yarn through.
6. Insert your hook purlwise through the left leg of the stitch below where you are making your bobble. Yarn over and draw yarn through.
7. Yarn over and draw yarn through all remaining loops on your hook. There will now be one loop left on your hook. Move that loop to your right needle. Your bobble is finished.
Pattern Instructions
Using your preferred stretchy cast-on method, cast on 96 stitches. Join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker at the join to mark the end of the round.
Begin knitting the following stitch pattern, or skip to Chart A.
Round 1 and all odd-numbered rounds: *p1, k tbl, k3, k tbl, p2, (k1, p1) x 4, k7, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *p1, k tbl, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k9, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *p1, k tbl, k3, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k9, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 6: *p1, k tbl, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k9, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 8: *p1, k tbl, k3, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k9, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 10: *p1, k tbl, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k4, mb, k4, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 12: *p1, k tbl, k3, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k2, mb, k3, mb, k2, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 14: *p1, k tbl, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k4, mb, k4, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 16: *p1, k tbl, k3, k tbl, (p1, k1) x 4, p1, k9, (p1, k1) x 4, repeat from * to end of round.
Work Rounds 1-16 five times total. If you prefer a taller cowl, feel free to work additional repeats, but know that this will change your yardage requirements.
After you’ve worked Rounds 1-16 the desired number of times, work Rounds 1-9 one more time.
Bind off using your preferred stretchy method.
Weave in ends, block, and wear.
Chart A
