Personally, crochet has always been faster than knitting for me, and with a size Q hook, there is little else faster than this cowl!
It can be worked up and styled many ways: short circumference and tall to cover the chin and lower face, short circumference and folded over to be less snuggly, long circumference and drapey for an infinity cowl, long circumference and wrapped around multiple times for super warmth. The buttons are fashionable instead of functional, so any size works! The stitches are so far apart that even large buttons can fit through if you want to wear it folded down with the button pushed through. You can even crochet up a flower or two and add it for flair!