It’s not a scarf. It’s a cowl! It’s a much more straightforward and to the point way of warming up your neck without spending a bunch of extra time on those dangly scarf bits. It’s also a great way to cut down on time spent knitting – a formidable feat when your Christmas list is a mile long and the big day is looming nearer.
So why not save yourself some time, and you can save yourself a little money while you’re at it too. Since cowls are usually much smaller than your average scarf, it stands to reason that these free cowl knitting patterns are going to call for a lot less yarn. And since we’ve got such an amazing variety of free patterns for you to peruse today, I bet you’ll even be able to find something suitable in your stash!
Of course, cowls aren’t all practicality and no play. Cowls can be every bit as stylish as scarves, and sometimes even more so! You can keep it low profile and tuck your cowl into your jacket for a more subdued accessory. Or you can draw the eye and capture the attention with bold color and design choices!
So how do you knit a cowl anyway? It’s really as easy or as hard as you want it to be! Many free cowl knitting patterns would make excellent projects for beginner knitters, because the construction of a cowl is very straightforward. Some are knit flat on straight needles, while others are knit in the round on circular needles. But as long as you choose a pattern that only calls for basic stitches, then you should be able to knit a cowl no problem, no matter your skill level!
Of course, if you’re in the mood for something a little more interesting. There’s plenty more free cowl knitting patterns that present more of a challenge. These designs will teach you new stitches, let you play around with colorwork, and maybe even try yarns that you’ve never tried before.
I think it’s safe to say that knitters new and not so new will find something to love in this curated list of free cowl knitting patterns. So why don’t you scroll down and see for yourself!?
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25 Cute and Cozy Free Cowl Knitting Patterns
Tricolor Triangle Colorwork Cowl
I prefer my cowls to be close-fitting like this one, because if I wanted something that hung down to my middle I’d look at infinity scarves. The lines between these two things tend to blur a bit, but cowls are overall quicker since they tend to be on the smaller side. This design is knit in the round with stranded colorwork.
Designer: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Alpachino Merino (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Rebel Squirrels
Stranded colorwork is a cinch when working in the round, because you don’t have to worry about those pesky purl stitches. This design is knit as a tube so you get the extra warmth from the double thickness and it’s a big bonus to the drape too. The tube is twisted before seaming the ends together for that effortless ruffled look.
Designer: Beautiful Knitters
Yarn: Wee County Yarns Kinross 4ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Parallelogram Cowl
Here’s a quick knitting tip for the newbies: blanket yarn isn’t just for blankets! The super bulky weight and oh-so-soft plushness of blanket yarn also make it well suited to chunky and cozy cowls. And this design also happens to be totally beginner friendly, since it’s all just knit and purl stitches.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky (Super Bulky Yarn #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Frost at Dawn Cowl
I’ve never seen a cowl quite like this one before, but it’s love at first sight! I like a cozy cowl that sits close to the neck, and this design gets bonus points for being a little out of the ordinary. The bandana style point and the tassel really bring this design over the top. It’s totally unisex too so you can make one for everyone on your Christmas list.
Designer: Beatrice Perron Dahlen
Yarn: Mindful Folk Fiber Phinela Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Ice Moon
Here’s a simple textured stitch pattern that only calls for knit and purl stitches. It looks great on both sides of the work, so you don’t have to fuss with the cowl too much when you put it on. It’s a close-fitting design with lots of volume – the perfect accessory for a brisk morning walk in the dead of winter.
Designer: Fogbound Knits
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the simple cowl knitting pattern!
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Bamboo Chunky Honeycomb Cowl
If you can’t decide which of these free knit cowl patterns you like best, then give this one a go. You’ll get to do ribbing, lacework, and cablework, so it certainly won’t be boring. And the bulky weight yarn gives this project the added benefit of being super speedy to knit. The pattern is worked in the round, so there’s no sewing or seaming.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Anti Pilling Bamboo Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Solene Cowl
This two color cowl is knit as a tube for a double thickness that is sure to keep you extra toasty and warm. The easy vine lace on the gray side lets little glimpses of the purple side peek through. Despite the double thickness, the cowl retains excellent drape thanks to the fine weight of the yarn.
Designer: Veronica Parsons
Yarn: Miss Babs Sojourn (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cabled Cowl
Knit in the round, this toasty textured cowl features a two row repeat of mirrored cables. This makes it easy to add or remove rows to adjust the final height of the cowl to your liking. The long skinny style of this cowl is one of my favorites, because it crumples down nicely for that effortless casual and cute look.
Designer: Mirella Moments
Yarn: Lana Grossa Merino Uno (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Swizzle Cowl
This design features wavy double garter stitch borders with old shale lace in the center as the star of the show. The 18 row pattern repeat may seem daunting at first, but 16 of the 18 rows are either just knit or knit purl. The pattern calls for larger needles than you would normally need for fingering weight yarn to enhance the airy and lacy qualities.
Designer: Michele Bernstein for Knit Picks
Yarn: Knit Picks Aloft and Knit Picks Muse Hand Painted Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Colorwork Cowl
Worried about your handmade cowl going out of style? Let’s face it, chevrons are certainly here to stay! The stranded colorwork design is easy to memorize and it looks particularly striking when you choose two colors with a high contrast to each other. Black and white is a classic combo, but the possibilities are endless!
Designer: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Bulky Dotty Cowl
Have you knit the dot stitch before? It’s a great stitch to add to your knitting arsenal because it’s easy to pick up and it looks great. I also love the texture that it imparts to any project. You can learn it in just a couple of hours and with only one skein of yarn when you make this cute cowl. There are also worsted and super bulky versions if you’d prefer a different weight of yarn.
Designer: All About Ami
Yarn: Lion Brand Hue + Me (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the easy knitting project!
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The Waves
This cowl gives the appearance of two different types of fabric grafted together. Simple stockinette stitch sits alongside lacework with an easy two row repeat. It’s knit in the round so you don’t have to worry about seaming. This design is a great way to showcase a beautiful skein of variegated yarn.
Designer: Lone Wolf Knits
Yarn: Fleece Artist Saldanha (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chardon Cowl
The Chardon Cowl is a bit of a unicorn, because it can be hard to find a design that’s both unisex and not plain. You could call it anything but plain since it combines a wide variety of cable stitches. It’s as interesting to knit as it is to wear, and you just might be a bit sad when it’s time to bind off. You can always make another one though!
Designer: Sarah Kenyon for Blue Sky Fibers
Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (Worsted Weight Yarn #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Lace Cowl
The close fitting nature of this cowl makes it easy to tuck underneath a jacket. I love the elegant way that the lacework drapes in this design, and I love it even more now that I know it’s only a two row repeat. One other thing to love about this pattern is that there’s a matching lace headband pattern!
Designer: Mirella Moments
Yarn: Lana Grossa Merino Uno (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cable Cowl
You’ll only need an episode or two of your favorite TV show to make this 22 round cowl. The bulky weight yarn makes this project fly by, and the 6 stitch cables really make the design stand out. There’s even a pattern for coordinating fingerless mittens so you can make a gift set. The little tag makes for a nice finishing touch.
Designer: A Box of Twine
Yarn: (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the chunky knit cowl pattern!
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Gotta Split Brioche Cowl
Let’s push the envelope on the definition of free knit cowl patterns for a minute. The Gotta Split Brioche Cowl isn’t just a cowl. It’s a ridiculously cute and cozy fashion statement! The design calls for two color brioche stitch using a color changing yarn and a solid color yarn. You’ll start knitting at the bottom and decrease as you work your way up.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Team
Yarn: Caron Colorama O’Go (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitted cowl pattern!
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Albion
Need a quick gift idea that you can knit up in an afternoon? The Albion Cowl is a great time saver because it uses super bulky yarn and simple garter and stockinette stitches in the round. It also only requires one skein of yarn! Despite its shortcuts, it is still a really attractive looking cowl that anyone would be lucky to receive.
Designer: The Knitty Pine
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14 Color Woolstok Light Cowl
Packs of miniature skeins of yarn are a popular gift choice for fiber artists. If you’ve been on the receiving end of one, then you know that it’s not always easy to figure out what to knit with it. Give this 14 color cowl a try and you won’t be disappointed! It’s knit flat in mostly garter stitch, with a few rows of ribbing thrown in every so often for extra texture.
Designer: Pamela Minniear for Blue Sky Fibers
Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Light (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Bobble Rib Split Cowl
There’s been a surge in popularity of late amongst free knit cowl patterns that have a split hem. This simple design hack is a total game changer that instantly aids style and wearability to any cowl. Combine this clever design with an interestingly textured surface, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for knitting success!
Designer: Tori Gurbisz for Premier Yarns
Yarn: Premier Yarns Stitch Please 100% Wool Worsted (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Howell Cowl
The Howell Cowl is a scrumptiously squishy cowl that has a close and cozy fit around the neck. Brioche stitch worked in the round has a lovely texture and a good amount of stretch, so you can easily get this cowl over your head without deforming it. Now I really want to make one for myself!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tokyo 2020 Games Cowl
If there’s an olympics lover in your life, they’re sure to appreciate this cowl design! The color scheme is based on the colors of the olympic flag. You’ll work the varied motifs using stranded colorwork in the round. The rainbow bits in the “O’s” are added afterward using duplicate stitch, so you only have to deal with two colors at a time.
Designer: Tanis Knits
Yarn: Hazel Knits Lively DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Color Craze Cowl
The Color Craze Cowl caught my eye for all the right reasons – bright colors, luxurious drape, and it is in the bandana style too. Of all of the free knit cowl patterns, I must say that I’m a sucker for the ones with the bandana style triangle at the bottom. The pattern employs stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border along the sides and an icord bind-off along the top.
Designer: Matt Akers for Camp Color Yarns
Yarn: CampColorYarns CC Fingering (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Daydreamer Cowl
Tap into the hive mind, take a couple of tips from the current design trends, and you won’t be disappointed with the results! This ombre cowl has tassels on both the top and the bottom. The pattern is worked in stockinette stitch with a broken rib border. It’s utterly stylish and so easy to wear too!
Designer: The Crafty Jackalope
Yarn: Lana Gatto Paillettes and SweetGeorgia Yarns Mini Colour Fade Set (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Gobi
When you’re in the mood to knit something really special, give this cowl pattern a try. The design is knit in the round and it calls for slipped stitches and nupps (which are kind of like bobble stitches but only worked over a single stitch). But the highlight of the design, by far, is the raised diamond latticework.
Designer: Flor de Iris Designs
Yarn: (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Boxing Bears
Alternating “boxes” of stockinette and garter stitch create a basketweave of texture, hence the name of the next one of our free cowl knitting patterns. You’ll start knitting the cowl at the top and work your way down to the bottom, increasing a bit as you go for shaping. The cowl is knit in the round so you don’t have to worry about seaming.
Designer: Deb Hoss Knits
Yarn: BC Garn Semilla Grosso (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Check out this great video tutorial for a cowl using the seed stitch (one of my favorites):
Final Thoughts on Cowl Knitting Patterns
Now do you see why I like to knit cowls so much?! If you’re a fast knitter, you can bust out a last-minute gift with one of these chunky knit cowls by the end of a day. Even if you’re not as fast (cough, cough, ME), you can still have a finished cowl in a weekend, unless you choose a more complicated lace pattern.
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3 Click here for all my free knitting patterns!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
WENDY
Thank you Amanda for taking the time to search for these Beautiful Cowls and scarfs.
Only problem for me, what to knit or crochet first, then the wool, and do I have the funds for making yet, another project. Always a pleasure to read your newsy letters.