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| Photos above © POF |
Autopilot Cowl. Photo © Dominique Trad
Autopilot Cowl by Dominique Trad is a free, relaxing cowl knitting pattern built around an easy 2-row repeat. Worked seamlessly in the round with worsted-weight yarn, it's designed for the kind of knitting you can enjoy while traveling, watching TV or chatting at knit night.
The combination of simple eyelets and mesh creates an attractive textured fabric without a complicated stitch sequence. Better still, the designer provides guidance for adjusting both the width and circumference, so you can customize the finished cowl to suit your preferred fit.
The main attraction of Autopilot is its wonderfully repetitive stitch pattern. The cowl uses a 2-row repeat, creating an attractive open texture without requiring you to keep track of a long sequence of rows.
That's exactly where the name comes from. Dominique Trad designed the project for relaxed knitting: something that lets you enjoy beautiful yarn while your hands settle into a comfortable rhythm.
It can be an especially appealing project for knitting while commuting, traveling, watching television or spending time with other knitters.
Autopilot is worked in the round from the bottom up. The cowl is knitted as one continuous piece, so there is no long seam to sew after the knitting is finished.
Working in the round also makes the repeating stitch pattern particularly satisfying once you become familiar with it: simply continue around the cowl while the textured mesh fabric develops on your needles.
Although the pattern is intentionally simple, the finished fabric has plenty of visual interest.
Eyelets create an airy mesh-like texture that works especially well with soft worsted-weight yarn. The repeated openings also help the fabric drape rather than becoming too dense around the neck.
This makes Autopilot a good example of how a very short stitch repeat can produce a finished accessory that looks much more intricate than the knitting experience suggests.
The original pattern is designed for worsted-weight / 10-ply yarn and suggests Malabrigo Rios.
Rios is a worsted-weight merino yarn, and its hand-dyed colorways can work beautifully with the simple textured structure of this cowl.
The pattern calls for approximately 328–437 yards (300–400 metres), depending on how you customize the project.
Yes. One of the useful features of Autopilot is its flexibility. Dominique Trad designed the original version for worsted-weight yarn, but notes that the cowl can be made with other yarn weights as well.
Changing yarn weight will affect the finished fabric, dimensions and needle requirements, so treat the original worsted version as your reference point and adjust accordingly.
This flexibility can also make the pattern useful when you have a special yarn in your stash and want a straightforward project that allows the yarn itself to be the focus.
The original worsted-weight version uses:
Because the cowl is worked in the round, use circular needles with a cable length appropriate for your chosen circumference.
Although the pattern is written with one basic size, the designer provides the information needed to customize both the width and circumference.
This means you are not limited to reproducing the sample exactly. You can adjust the dimensions depending on how you want to wear your finished cowl and how much yarn you have available.
A longer circumference can create a generously draped cowl that can be wrapped around the neck, while a shorter version can be worn closer to the neck.
A simple repeating pattern can be an excellent partner for colorful yarn because the stitch pattern doesn't compete with the yarn.
Autopilot works beautifully in solid colors, but it can also showcase tonal, hand-dyed or variegated worsted yarns. The eyelets and mesh add texture while allowing color changes to remain visible.
The pattern is straightforward, but you should be comfortable with a few basic techniques before beginning.
Useful skills include:
The designer specifically recommends using a stretchy bind-off or binding off loosely.
This is worth paying attention to. A bind-off that is significantly tighter than the knitted fabric can restrict the edge and affect how comfortably the cowl sits or wraps around the neck.
Autopilot is a particularly appealing pattern when you want knitting that feels relaxing without producing a completely plain accessory.
The 2-row repeat is easy to settle into, while the eyelet texture, seamless construction and customizable dimensions keep the finished cowl interesting.
It can also be a useful project between more complicated sweaters, shawls or lace patterns when you want something you don't need to concentrate on constantly.
Autopilot has become a well-established free knitting pattern since its publication in 2015, with knitters creating it in many different yarns, colors and dimensions.
Its combination of a memorable 2-row repeat and flexible sizing makes it particularly easy to personalize while retaining the character of Dominique Trad's original design.
The complete Autopilot Cowl by Dominique Trad is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern from the designer's Ravelry page.
Get the Free Autopilot Cowl Knitting Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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Looking for a simple baby jumper and beanie knitting project with a long history of charity knitting? The pattern commonly known as the Fish and Chip Babies jumper has circulated for many years among knitting groups, churches, community organizations, and charity projects.
The design is intentionally simple: a small baby jumper is knitted in one piece and paired with a basic beanie. Its straightforward construction made it popular with knitters who wanted to create warm baby garments quickly for donation.
Pattern Type: Baby Jumper and Beanie
Craft: Knitting
Category: Charity Baby Knitting
Construction: Jumper knitted in one piece
Yarn Weight: Double Knitting / DK
Needles: Approximately 4.5–5.0 mm, depending on tension
Matching Item: Baby Beanie
Pattern History: Widely circulated charity pattern
“Fish and Chip Babies” is a name that became associated with a simple knitted baby jumper distributed through charity knitting campaigns.
Older appeals explained that the garments were intended for babies in communities where suitable newborn clothing could be difficult to obtain. The unusual name came from stories that some newborns were being kept warm using newspaper.
Versions of the appeal and pattern have circulated through community groups for many years, so there is no single modern pattern publisher that can easily be identified as the original designer.
One reason this pattern became popular for charity knitting is its uncomplicated construction. The jumper is worked largely as a single piece, reducing the amount of shaping and finishing required.
Traditional versions combine ribbing and stockinette stitch, with stitches added to form the sleeves and an opening created for the baby's head.
This makes the project approachable for knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches but may not yet want to tackle a more complicated baby sweater.
The commonly circulated versions specify Double Knitting (DK) yarn, also known as approximately 8-ply in some countries.
Older charity instructions often requested bright or mixed colors rather than very pale shades. However, donation requirements can change significantly between organizations.
If you intend to knit these garments for charity, always check the receiving organization's current requirements before purchasing yarn or starting the project.
Traditional copies of the jumper pattern commonly recommend:
These recommendations are intended to produce an appropriately sized and flexible baby garment, but your personal knitting tension may vary.
A simple knitted beanie is frequently included alongside the jumper pattern. Like the jumper, the hat is designed to be quick to knit and uses basic ribbing, stockinette stitch, and crown decreases.
Matching the hat and jumper in coordinating colors can create a complete little newborn set.
Charity knitting projects often need designs that are economical, practical, and easy to reproduce in larger numbers.
The Fish and Chip baby jumper fits those requirements well because it uses familiar knitting techniques, can be made with relatively small amounts of DK yarn, and does not require complicated garment construction.
It is also useful for groups because knitters of different experience levels can contribute to the same type of project.
Many versions of this pattern online come from older charity appeals. That does not necessarily mean the same organization is currently requesting these garments.
Before knitting specifically for donation, confirm that your chosen charity currently accepts knitted baby jumpers and hats and check its latest requirements for yarn type, colors, sizing, washing, labeling, and delivery.
If no current charity appeal is available in your area, the same simple style can still be useful as inspiration for personal baby knitting or local donation projects that accept handmade garments.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the full circulated knitting instructions here. A historical copy of the jumper and hat pattern is available from the source below.
View the Fish and Chip Baby Pattern →
Pattern note: This is a widely circulated charity knitting pattern. Amazing Knitting has not identified a definitive original designer. The linked copy is provided by an external organization, and current charity requirements should always be verified separately.
Explore more baby sweater knitting patterns, baby hat knitting patterns, and baby knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.
If you are knitting this project for donation, contact the intended charity first. Organizations may have specific rules about fiber content, colors, sizing, safety, finishing, and whether handmade baby garments are currently needed.
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The Remote Caddy/Koosi by Franna Pitt is a practical free knitting pattern designed to keep remote controls and other small items organized beside your favorite chair or recliner.
The caddy is worked flat as a one-piece rectangle and includes three pockets for remotes or similarly sized objects. Its dimensions can also be adjusted, making it easy to customize for different furniture and storage needs.
Designer: Franna Pitt
Original Pattern Name: Remote Caddy/Koosi
Craft: Knitting
Category: Home / Electronics Cozy
Yarn Weight: Bulky
Yarn Used: Approximately 5.6 oz
Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
Gauge: 16 sts = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
Construction: One-piece rectangle, worked flat
Pockets: 3
Instructions: Written pattern
Language: English
Availability: Free Ravelry download
This clever knitted organizer is designed to fit over the arm of a typical recliner. The pocket section provides convenient storage for remote controls, while the opposite end helps keep the caddy positioned over the chair arm.
The original design has three pockets, but the straightforward rectangular construction also makes the project easy to adapt to your own needs.
The pocket section is approximately 10.5 inches wide overall. The three individual pockets are approximately 3.75 inches, 3 inches and 3.75 inches wide.
The pockets are approximately 7 inches long, providing space for remote controls or other similarly sized items.
The distance between the top of the remote-control pockets and the counterweight sleeve is approximately 12 inches.
The pattern calls for bulky-weight yarn and US 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles. The designer used approximately 5.6 ounces of yarn for the original project.
This can also be a useful stash-busting project. The designer used leftover yarns to create stripes, while a solid color or another combination of colors can work equally well.
The stated gauge is 16 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
Because the dimensions are designed to be adjustable, you can also compare the developing caddy directly with the chair or recliner where you intend to use it.
Remote Caddy/Koosi is a one-piece rectangular project worked flat. The pattern uses written instructions rather than a chart.
This simple construction makes the caddy a useful canvas for color changes and textured stitches. It can be knitted in stripes like the photographed project or worked in a single color for a simpler look.
One of the useful features of this pattern is that the dimensions can be altered. Before starting, measure the arm of the chair or recliner where you plan to use the finished organizer.
You can then consider the required width, the length of the hanging sections and the size of the objects you want to keep in the pockets.
Yes. Remote Caddy/Koosi by Franna Pitt is currently available as a free knitting pattern through Ravelry.
Amazing Knitting provides project information and directs readers to the original source rather than reproducing the complete copyrighted pattern instructions.
Visit the original Remote Caddy/Koosi listing by Franna Pitt to access the free pattern and see additional project examples.
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Cloud Slippers. Photos © Adrienne Sullivan
Looking for an easy free slipper knitting pattern? Cloud Slippers by Adrienne Sullivan are soft, cozy slippers designed to knit up quickly with super bulky yarn and large needles.
This beginner-friendly pattern uses only basic knitting skills, and each slipper is worked flat in one piece before being folded and seamed. With four adult sizes for women and men, Cloud Slippers are a practical choice for cozy house slippers, quick gifts or a satisfying weekend knitting project.
One of the best features of Cloud Slippers is how little knitting experience you need to make them.
The pattern uses basic knit and purl stitches along with casting on and binding off. There is no complicated sock construction and no need to knit a traditional turned heel.
This makes the project particularly appealing if you want to try knitting something for your feet without starting with a conventional sock pattern.
Cloud Slippers are knitted flat rather than in the round. Each slipper is made as one piece and then folded in half.
The final shape is created by seaming the knitted piece from the toe toward the heel. This simple construction eliminates the need for double-pointed needles or other small-circumference knitting techniques.
If knitting socks in the round feels intimidating, this construction can be a much more approachable way to make a cozy pair of knitted slippers.
The free pattern includes four adult sizes:
Choose the size according to the recipient's shoe size and check the designer's original pattern information before beginning.
The original Cloud Slippers were designed with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a super bulky yarn that produces a thick, warm fabric while knitting up rapidly on large needles.
Depending on the size, the pattern requires only approximately 55–90 yards (50–82 m) of super bulky yarn.
That relatively small yardage makes these slippers an interesting option when you have a partial ball of suitable super bulky yarn left from another project.
The pattern calls for 10 mm (US 15) knitting needles. The specified gauge is:
8 stitches × 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.
Because slippers need to fit the foot reasonably well, gauge is still worth checking even though this is a quick and simple project.
Adrienne Sullivan designed Cloud Slippers so that a pair can be made with just one ball of the suggested Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or an equivalent amount of suitable super bulky yarn.
Combined with the large needles and simple construction, this makes Cloud Slippers particularly attractive when you need a relatively quick handmade gift.
Cloud Slippers combine several features that make a small knitting project especially satisfying: thick yarn, large needles, simple stitches and minimal construction.
They are also available in both women's and men's sizes, so the same pattern can be used to make cozy slippers for several people.
Consider them for holiday gifts, house slippers, cold-weather knitting or simply as a quick project between larger sweaters and blankets.
Cloud Slippers was the winner of the 2019 STIK X Lion Brand Pattern Contest.
Since its publication, the simple one-piece construction has made it a popular choice among knitters looking for an approachable pair of chunky knitted slippers.
The complete Cloud Slippers pattern by Adrienne Sullivan is currently available as a free download.
Get the Free Cloud Slippers Knitting Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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