How to Make a Leather Cowl in OSRS A Step-by-Step Guide
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers players a vast world of skills to master, and Crafting is one of the most versatile. Among the earliest items you can create is the leather cowl, a simple yet practical piece of armor perfect for low-level rangers. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to craft a leather cowl, from gathering materials to boosting your Crafting experience efficiently. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, we’ve got you covered with tips to make the process smooth and rewarding.
The leather cowl is a beginner-friendly item that requires only level 9 Crafting and provides 18.5 Crafting experience per craft. It’s an excellent starting point for players looking to train Crafting without breaking the bank. Here’s why you should consider making it:
- Low requirements: Accessible to new players with minimal skill levels.
- Cost-effective: Materials are cheap and easy to obtain in F2P worlds.
- Practical use: Offers decent ranged defense for early-game rangers.
- Tradeable: You can sell cowls on the Grand Exchange for a small profit.
Who Should Craft Leather Cowls?
This item is ideal for F2P players, new accounts, or anyone looking to grind early Crafting levels. If you’re aiming to unlock higher-tier leather armor or just want a quick way to gain experience, the leather cowl is a great choice.
Gathering Materials for a Leather Cowl
To craft a leather cowl, you’ll need three key items: soft leather, a needle, and thread. Below, we break down how to obtain each one efficiently.
Obtaining Soft Leather
Soft leather is the primary material for crafting a leather cowl. Here’s how to get it:
- Kill Cows for Cowhides: Head to the Lumbridge cow field east of the river or the cow pen near the Barbarian Village. Cows drop cowhides 100% of the time.
- Tan the Hides: Take your cowhides to a tanner, such as Ellis in Al Kharid. Tanning costs 1 coin per cowhide for soft leather.
- Alternative for Members: Use the Make Leather spell (level 83 Magic) to tan hides instantly, though this is overkill for beginners.
Tip: The cattle field west of the Crafting Guild is less crowded and close to a bank, making it a great spot for members.
Getting a Needle and Thread
Both items are easy to acquire:
- Needle: Purchase from the Crafting shops in Al Kharid or Rimmington for about 1 coin. You only need one, as it doesn’t degrade.
- Thread: Buy a spool from the same shops for around 4 coins. One spool can craft up to 5 leather items, so you won’t need much.
Pro Tip: Check general stores or the Grand Exchange for cheaper thread if you’re buying in bulk.
Step-by-Step Crafting Process
Once you have your materials, crafting a leather cowl is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Reach Level 9 Crafting
If you’re not yet at level 9, craft simpler items like leather gloves (level 1, 13.8 XP) or leather boots (level 7, 16.3 XP). These use the same materials and help you level up quickly.
Step 2: Equip Your Inventory
Ensure you have:
- Soft leather (at least 1 piece per cowl)
- A needle
- At least one spool of thread
Step 3: Craft the Cowl
Open your inventory, click the needle, and then click a piece of soft leather. Select “Leather cowl” from the crafting menu. Each cowl takes a few seconds to craft and grants 18.5 Crafting XP.
Step 4: Repeat for Experience
Craft multiple cowls to maximize your XP gain. Banking near a tanner (like in Al Kharid) speeds up the process significantly.
| Item | Crafting Level | XP Gained | Materials Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather Gloves | 1 | 13.8 | 1 Soft Leather, Needle, Thread |
| Leather Boots | 7 | 16.3 | 1 Soft Leather, Needle, Thread |
| Leather Cowl | 9 | 18.5 | 1 Soft Leather, Needle, Thread |
Tips for Efficient Leather Cowl Crafting
To make the most of your time and resources, consider these strategies to streamline your crafting grind.
Optimize Your Location
Craft near a bank to minimize travel time. The Al Kharid bank is ideal since it’s close to the tanner and a Crafting shop. For members, the Crafting Guild offers a bank chest and cow fields nearby.
Buy Materials in Bulk
Purchase cowhides or soft leather directly from the Grand Exchange if you have the coins. As of April 2025, cowhides cost around 100-150 GP each, and soft leather is slightly more expensive. Tanning yourself saves money but takes longer.
Combine with Quests
Complete quests like Sheep Shearer or Prince Ali Rescue to gain early Crafting XP or access to Al Kharid without paying the gate toll. This makes gathering materials easier for F2P players.
Sell or High Alch Your Cowls
Leather cowls sell for about 1-10 GP on the Grand Exchange due to low demand, but members can use High Level Alchemy (level 55 Magic) to get 14 coins per cowl. This offsets material costs slightly.
Alternatives and Next Steps After Crafting Cowls
Once you’ve mastered leather cowls, you may want to explore other Crafting options or use your cowls effectively. Here’s what to consider:
Upgrading to a Coif
At level 38 Crafting, you can craft a coif, which requires 20 Ranged to equip and offers better stats. It uses the same materials but grants 37 XP per craft, making it a natural progression for F2P rangers.
Other Leather Armor
Expand your Crafting repertoire with these items:
- Leather Vambraces (level 11, 22 XP)
- Leather Chaps (level 18, 27 XP)
- Leather Body (level 14, 25 XP)
These provide more XP and better armor, though they’re slightly more expensive to craft.
Using Your Leather Cowl
Equip your cowl for early Ranged training, such as fighting cows or goblins. You can also buy cowls from Aaron’s Archery Appendages in the Ranging Guild if you’d rather not craft them, but crafting is more rewarding for skill progression.
Moving Beyond Leather
After level 20, consider switching to hard leather (level 28) or dragonhide armor (members-only) for higher XP and better profits. These require more investment but are essential for reaching level 99 Crafting.
Crafting a leather cowl in OSRS is a simple yet effective way to kickstart your Crafting journey. With minimal requirements and easy-to-find materials, it’s perfect for beginners looking to gain experience and build their skills. By following this guide, you can craft efficiently, save coins, and set yourself up for more advanced Crafting projects. So grab your needle, thread, and leather, and start stitching your way to Crafting success in Gielinor!