How to make Tunisian Box Crochet Cowl

As the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in a warm and snuggly cowl to keep the chill at bay. And if you’re a fan of unique and eye-catching crochet projects, you’re in for a real treat with this tunisian crochet cowl made from a luxurious chunky alpaca yarn.

Featuring the stunning Tunisian box stitch, this crochet cowl is not only incredibly cozy and practical, but it also showcases a beautiful textural pattern that is sure to turn heads. Developed by the talented Creations by Courtney, the tunisian box stitch combines the tunisian simple stitch, tunisian front post stitch, and tunisian back post stitch to create a fabric that resembles the classic waffle stitch in traditional crochet.

In true Creations by Courtney fashion, the crochet cowl pattern will teach you something new. Many crocheters are familiar with front and back post stitches that are often made with double crochet, but less often or not at all, does one find the front and back tunisian stitch. These post stitches are not made with a tunisian double stitch, so it will require a little bit of practice. Using a large hook is recommended so that the stitches are not too tight.

Whether you’re a seasoned tunisian crochet enthusiast or you’re just dipping your toes into this captivating technique, I hope you enjoy making this cozy crochet cowl project

But the benefits of this project go far beyond just the technical skills you’ll develop. Crafting a cozy cowl is also a wonderful way to embrace the hygge lifestyle and create a sense of warmth and comfort in your daily life. Imagine wrapping yourself in this soft, snuggly accessory as you sip a hot cup of tea, curl up with a good book, or venture out into the crisp autumn air.

Why a crochet cowl?

Why not???

A crochet cowl is a great project for learning new crochet stitches, especially tunisian crochet. It is not too big or too small of a project so that you have adequate practice to begin building muscle memory in your hands.

I’m sure I’m not the only person that forgets how to make certain stitches because such stitches are rarely used in projects. I want to you learn and love the Tunisian Box Stitch, and maybe want to use it as a substitute to the waffle stitch in some projects.

Also, the Chunky Alpaca is soooooo soft and warm that it had to turned into a close to the skin accessory.

Yarn

We cannot talk about making a crochet cowl without talking about the yarn. Thanks to my cro-sis, Lynette, she has coordinated an ambassadorship with King Cole Yarns through 2025, which means that I and other friends can try a wonderful range of their amazing yarns.

I am obsessed with alpacas, and choose start with Superfine Alpaca Chunky. This chunky yarn is sooooo soft that it made me imagine that I was hugging an actual alpaca without the accompanying smells. LOL Superfine Alpaca Chunky is classified as a bulky weight #5 but feels slightly thinner than many of the same weight yarns we have in the US.

Oh, if you didn’t know, King Cole Yarns was founded in 1935 as a family business, and has been providing high quality yarns from 100% acrylic to 100% wools for knitters and crocheters.

Back to Superfine Alpaca Chunky now. This 100% superfine alpaca, scrumptious yarn comes in 50 g balls with a put up of 67 yards / 62 meters. With 5 natural color options, you can choose Camel, Charcoal, Fawn, Grey or Koala.

If you get your hands on this yarn, if you’re not allergic to the animal fibers, you may want to wrap yourself in it like I do. Before you commit to a bodysuit’s worth of Superfine Alpaca Chunky, consider getting a lace or fingering weight yarn made from acrylic or wool to hold double. As a type of wool, it is very warm, water resistant, but lacks memory.

Courtney, what is memory??

Memory refers to a fiber recalling the shape of the stitches and tends to have stretch. This means that alpaca lacks the ability to hold the shape of stitches, and will sag over time when made into a large project like a cardigan, shawl or blanket. Oftentimes, alpaca is blended with another natural or man-made fiber to have memory to maintain the shape of stitches.

If you would like to try some Superfine Alpaca Chunky yarn, check with your local yarn store(s) and check for a stockist.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products that I use, and think you will enjoy using too. Should you decide to use any such link, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this small business.

ADD TO RAVELRY FAVORITES

MATERIALS

King Cole Yarns Superfine Alpaca Chunky, bulky weight #5 (100% pure superfine alpaca, 67 yds/ 62 m, 1.75 oz /50g): 2691 Camel x 3
US M-13 (9.00 mm) tunisian hook with cable or hook to meet gauge
Scissors

Yarn Needle
Measuring Tape
Optional: 3-4 Shaft buttons or 3 Jūl stud buttons

GAUGE

12 sts in pattern x 12 rows = 4” x 4” [10 cm x 10 cm]

FINISHED SIZE(S)

7.75” W x 32” L [9.5 cm W x 81 cm L]

PATTERN KEY

BPtc: back post tunssian crochet

FO: fasten off

FPtc: front post tunisian crochet

FwdP: forward pass

Rem: remain(s)(ing)

Rep: repeat

RetP: return pass

Sl st: slip stitch

St(s): stitch(es)

Tss: tunisian simple stitch

YO: yarn over

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

BPtc: bring the yarn to back, insert hook from back to front to back around the next front and back vertical bars, YO and pull up a loop

It helps to twist the hook as you pull the loop up to prevent the loop from slipping off.

End St: insert hook under both bars front to back, YO and pull up a loop

FPtc: insert hook front to back to front around the front and back vertical bars, YO and pull up a loop

RetP: YO, pull through one loop (ch 1), *YO, pull through 2 loops, rep from * to end

Tss: insert hook under next vertical bar, YO, pull up a loop

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Intermediate

NOTES

Pattern is written in US terms.

Read the entire pattern before beginning.
Always skip the first vertical bar.
The RetP will be the same for each row, and noted at the end of each row of instruction after Row 1.

Purchase the ad-free PDF from your favorite pattern shop

Don’t forget to join Confidently Crochet with Creations By Courtney for CALs, crochet tips, and yarnie fun.

INSTRUCTIONS

Ch 23,

Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, insert hook in next ch, YO and pull up a loop. RetP. 23 tss

Row 2: Tss in each st, work end st. RetP.

Row 3: Tss, FPtc around next st, *BPtc around next 2 sts, FPtc around next st, rep from * until 2 sts rem, tss in next st, work end st. RetP. 4 tss, 7 FPtc, 12 BPtc

Rows 4-5: Tss in next st, FPtc around next st, *tss in next 2 sts, FPtc around next st, rep from * until 2 sts rem, tss in next st, work end st. 16 tss, 7 FPtc

Row 6: Rep Row 3

Next Rows: Rep [Row 4-6] until piece measure 32” [81 cm] and stop on Row 5

Next Rows: Rep [Row 4-6] until piece measure 32” [81 cm] and stop on Row 5

Bind Off Row: Sl st in each vertical bar and end st, FO.

Finishing

Option 1: Seam along the bottom of two sides around the corner.

Option 2: Determine where you would like to attach the buttons, and then attach. Use the space between stitches as button holes.

You may enjoy these crochet cowl patterns too

An image of a Black woman wearing a cloche and cowl that hangs down towards the waist. The hat and cowl are made from a chunky yarn that is shades of orange, green and yellow. — Quentin Tunisian Set

Textured Stitches Blog Hop

I’m excited to be the featured crochet designer for September 14th in the Textured Stitches Hop hosted by Simply Melanie Jane! It was such fun to create a new textured stitch, the Tunisian Box Stitch, and come up with a new crochet pattern for this stitch.

As the featured pattern today, you can get an ad-free PDF of the Tunisian Box Cowl for 50% off. You get the same info that is freely available PLUS a few picture tutorials to help you with the back and front post tunisian stitches.

Although, you can check out the tutorial for this fun textured stitch, you can get the tutorial and 19 more in an easy to download or print ebook. You can purchase the ebook for just $17.99 through 12AM EST on September 23, 2024, and then the price increases to $19.99. Just click the button below to purchase.

Head over to Simply Melanie Jane to get today’s coupon code that expires at 8am EST tomorrow, Sunday, September 15th, then head to Ravelry. Just click the buttons below.

Pin it for Later

Two images with a white box and titled of "Tunisian Box Crochet Cowl." The upper image is a close up of a tunisian crochet cowl that is angled from the upper left to lower right. One can see the vertical and horizontal posts. The lower image shows an African American woman wearing the tunisian crochet cowl, a purple and brown plaid cardigan and brown shirt standing in front of a door and Hello Fall wood sign.

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This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.