Simple Cowl Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © The Woolly Brew

Looking for a quick and satisfying knitting project? The Simple Cowl pattern from The Woolly Brew is the perfect choice! This free knitting pattern is designed for 4ply yarn and offers a delightful way to create a cozy accessory that’s both stylish and functional. With easy-to-follow instructions and minimal techniques required, it’s suitable for knitters of all skill levels.

I encourage you to check out the full pattern available for download on The Woolly Brew’s website. This cowl measures approximately 45cm tall and 28cm wide, making it a versatile addition to your winter wardrobe. Don’t miss the opportunity to wrap yourself in comfort—follow the link to get started on this charming project today!

Full Post: Simple Cowl

Elevate Your Knitting: The Cable Cowl Pattern

The photo above © Nimble Needles 

Are you ready to elevate your knitting skills with a beautiful project? The Cable Cowl: Into the Desert pattern is a delightful way to work with luxurious camel hair yarn while mastering cable techniques. Designed for both comfort and style, this cowl features intricate 2x2 cables that add a touch of elegance to your winter wardrobe. With clear instructions and helpful tutorials, this pattern is perfect for knitters looking to challenge themselves while creating something cozy and chic.

I encourage you to check out the full pattern available for free on Nimble Needles. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting out, this project offers flexibility in size and style, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. Don't miss the chance to wrap yourself in this stunning cowl—follow the link and start your knitting adventure today!

Full Post: Cable Cowl Pattern 

Chanterelle Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © Binge Tricot 

If you're looking for a cozy yet stylish accessory to add to your autumn or spring wardrobe, the Chanterelle Cowl is a must-try! This free knitting pattern from Binge Tricot combines lightweight Merino yarn with a lovely lace design, making it perfect for those transitional seasons. The pattern is easy to follow, allowing even beginners to create a beautiful piece without too much fuss. Whether you're knitting for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, this cowl will surely impress.

I encourage you to check out the full post at the link below. You'll find detailed instructions, helpful tips, and even a guide on the techniques used. Plus, once you complete your cowl, don’t forget to share your creation on social media using the hashtags #chanterellecowl and #bingetricot. Happy knitting!

Full Post: Chanterelle Cowl

Knit Your Own Coffee Shop Cowl - Free Pattern

The photo above © Jem Arrowsmith

If you’re searching for a cozy and stylish accessory to enhance your wardrobe, I highly recommend checking out the Coffee Shop Cowl knitting pattern available at the link below. This free pattern is perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, featuring simple knit and purl stitches that create a delightful texture. Made with soft DK yarn, this cowl is both lightweight and warm, making it an ideal companion for chilly outings. The pattern also includes creative ideas for transforming your cowl into a double loop, scarf, or wrap, offering versatility in your knitting projects. Don’t miss the chance to create this beautiful piece that’s sure to become a favorite! 

Full Post: Coffee Shop Cowl

Secession Shawl – Asymmetric Knitting Pattern

Secession by Kristina Vilimaite is an elegant asymmetric shawl inspired by the decorative style of the Viennese Secession movement. The design combines a sweeping curved triangular shape with delicate textured details and optional beads.

The shawl is worked sideways in one piece, creating its distinctive asymmetric silhouette without requiring separate sections to be sewn together.

Secession can be knitted in fingering or DK-weight yarn, and the pattern includes guidance for petite, regular, large and custom-sized versions.

Design and original pattern © Kristina Vilimaite / AnimaKnits.

Secession Shawl Pattern Overview

• Designer: Kristina Vilimaite
• Pattern: Secession
• Craft: Knitting
• Category: Shawl / wrap
• Published: April 2016
• Construction: One piece
• Direction: Worked sideways
• Shape: Asymmetric curved triangle
• Sizes: S, M and custom sizing instructions
• Yarn options: Fingering or DK weight
• Suggested yarns: Malabrigo Silky Merino and madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light
• Yardage: Approximately 416–995 yd / 380–910 m
• Needles: US 2½ / 3.0 mm
• Gauge: 26 stitches × 31 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch
• Beads: Optional
• Instructions: Written instructions and charts
• Language: English
• Pattern availability: Paid pattern

An Asymmetric Curved Triangle Shawl

Secession does not follow the familiar symmetrical triangle construction used for many traditional shawls.

Instead, the fabric grows sideways into an asymmetric curved triangular shape.

This gives the finished shawl a flowing silhouette that can be wrapped around the shoulders or styled more loosely around the neck.

Inspired by the Viennese Secession Movement

The name Secession refers to the Viennese Secession, the Austrian Art Nouveau movement associated with artists such as Gustav Klimt.

The designer describes the shawl as combining simplicity with decorative detail, including the option of adding beads for extra contrast and sparkle.

That balance between a clean silhouette and ornamental detail is one of the features that gives the design its distinctive character.

Worked Sideways in One Piece

The shawl is knitted sideways as a single piece.

This means the shaping develops gradually across the work rather than beginning at the center or lower point of a traditional triangular shawl.

There are no separate panels to assemble afterward, which keeps the basic construction cohesive even though the finished shape is unusual.

Fingering or DK Yarn

One of the most useful features of Secession is that the pattern can be worked with either fingering-weight or DK-weight yarn.

The different yarn weights allow the same design to produce shawls with different scale and drape.

Fingering yarn creates a lighter, more delicate fabric, while DK yarn can give the shawl more substance and warmth.

Suggested Yarns

The pattern lists two suggested yarns:

• Malabrigo Silky Merino
• madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

These represent two different yarn-weight options for the design.

You can substitute another suitable yarn if desired, but consider drape, yardage and stitch definition when choosing an alternative.

Yardage

The published yarn requirement ranges from approximately:

416–995 yards / 380–910 meters.

The amount required depends on the chosen size, yarn weight and customization.

If you plan to enlarge the shawl beyond one of the standard options, allow additional yarn rather than purchasing only the minimum amount.

Custom Sizing

Secession includes instructions for adjusting the shawl beyond the two standard pattern sizes.

This is particularly useful because the same design can be adapted for a petite shawl, a regular wrap or a larger statement piece.

Custom sizing also gives knitters more flexibility when working with a specific amount of yarn.

Optional Beads

Beads are optional, but they are an important decorative possibility in this design.

They can highlight the ornamental sections of the shawl and add small flashes of light against the knitted fabric.

If you prefer a simpler look, the shawl can also be knitted without beads.

Using Beads in a Shawl

If you choose to add beads, make sure the bead size works comfortably with your chosen yarn.

Beads that are too small may be difficult to place, while very large beads can add unnecessary weight to a lightweight shawl.

It is worth testing a few beads with your yarn before beginning the full project.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists US 2½ / 3.0 mm needles.

The published gauge is approximately:

26 stitches × 31 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.

Because this is a shawl rather than a fitted sweater, drape is especially important. Use the published gauge as a guide while also checking that your fabric feels fluid rather than overly stiff.

Skills You'll Use

• Casting on
• Knit and purl stitches
• Working flat
• Sideways shawl construction
• Increasing and decreasing
• Twisted stitches
• Reading knitting charts
• Following written instructions
• Optional bead placement
• Blocking a shaped shawl

Is Secession Beginner Friendly?

Secession is better suited to an intermediate knitter or a confident advanced beginner who already feels comfortable following shaping instructions and charts.

The shawl is worked in one piece, but its asymmetric shaping and decorative details require more attention than a basic garter-stitch shawl.

Adding beads introduces another technique, although they are optional.

Charts and Written Instructions

The pattern provides both charted and written information for the design.

This gives knitters some flexibility depending on whether they prefer to follow visual stitch charts or line-by-line written directions.

Keeping a row counter or progress marker nearby can be helpful when working through longer decorative sections.

Blocking the Finished Shawl

Blocking is an important finishing step for a shaped shawl like Secession.

It helps smooth the fabric, open decorative sections and define the curved asymmetric outline.

Always follow the washing and blocking recommendations for your chosen yarn, especially when using silk, merino or other delicate fibers.

Styling Secession

The asymmetric shape allows the shawl to be worn in several ways.

• Draped traditionally over the shoulders
• Wrapped around the neck like a scarf
• Worn with the long point to one side
• Layered over a simple top or dress

The optional beads make the design especially suitable for dressier styling, while an unbeaded version can feel more understated.

Is the Secession Shawl Pattern Free?

No. Secession by Kristina Vilimaite is currently a paid knitting pattern.

The pattern is presently listed at $7.00 USD in the designer's AnimaKnits Ravelry Store.

Amazing Knitting previously linked readers to the design as a pattern discovery page, but pattern prices and availability can change over time. We therefore identify the current paid status clearly rather than describing the design as free.

View the Secession Shawl Pattern →

Related Secession Designs

Kristina Vilimaite later expanded the Secession concept into additional accessories.

The designer also created Secession Mitts and the Secession Cowl, both inspired by the same decorative style.

These related designs may appeal to knitters who enjoy the look of the shawl but prefer a smaller accessory project.

Why This Shawl Is Worth Considering

Secession stands out because it combines an unusual asymmetric silhouette with decorative details that remain optional.

The ability to choose fingering or DK yarn, adjust the overall size and add or omit beads gives knitters considerable control over the finished result.

Its sideways one-piece construction also offers a different experience from traditional center-out triangular shawls.

Pattern Availability

Amazing Knitting links readers to legitimate designer or publisher sources whenever possible. Pattern prices, download locations and availability can change after an article is published.

Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →

Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The Secession design and knitting pattern remain the intellectual property of Kristina Vilimaite / AnimaKnits. This guide does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row instructions or charts.

Leaves Bandana Cowl

The photo above © KnittedWishes

This beautiful Leaves Bandana Cowl project is based on the popular Bandana Cowl by Purl Soho, a clever free knitting pattern that combines the warmth of a cowl with the pointed shape and extra front coverage of a bandana.

Instead of simply knitting a straight tube, the design uses short rows to create its distinctive shape. The result sits comfortably around the neck while extending farther down at the front — especially useful under a coat or jacket in colder weather.

Bandana Cowl at a Glance

Pattern: Bandana Cowl

Designer: Purl Soho

First Published: October 2011

Craft: Knitting

Category: Cowl / Neck Warmer

Yarn Weight: Aran / 10 ply

Needle Size: US 10 / 6.0 mm

Gauge: 16 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm

Yardage: About 139 yards / 127 m for the one-color version

Size: One Size

Construction: In the round with short-row shaping

Pattern Availability: Free

About the Purl Soho Bandana Cowl

Purl Soho's Bandana Cowl has become a modern knitting classic because it solves a simple problem: traditional tubular cowls do not always provide much coverage at the front of the neck.

This design adds a pointed section that extends downward like a bandana, while keeping the convenience and secure fit of a cowl.

The shaping is created with short rows rather than by sewing a separate triangular piece onto the cowl.

Finished Size

The current pattern is written in one size. The finished measurements are approximately:

• Neck opening: 17¼ inches in circumference
• Height from the front point: 13½ inches

The neck opening is designed to stretch comfortably when the cowl is pulled over the head.

Yarn and Yardage

The current Purl Soho version uses Plenty, an Aran-weight extra-fine merino yarn.

For the standard one-color version, approximately 139 yards / 127 metres are required.

You do not have to use the original yarn, but when substituting yarn, concentrate on matching the published gauge and choosing a yarn that will feel comfortable against the neck.

Needles and Gauge

The current pattern recommends a US 10 / 6.0 mm, 16-inch circular needle.

The published gauge is:

16 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch

Needle size is only a starting point. Use the needle size that allows you to obtain the correct gauge with your chosen yarn.

How the Bandana Shape Is Created

The clever part of this project is its construction. The cowl is worked in the round, but short-row shaping creates extra fabric at the front.

This gradually develops the distinctive pointed bandana shape without requiring a separate scarf or shawl to be tied around the neck.

If short rows are new to you, read through the designer's complete instructions before beginning so you understand where the shaping occurs.

Skills Used

Helpful skills for this project include:

• Casting on
• Knitting in the round
• Using circular needles
• Stockinette stitch
• Short-row shaping
• Binding off
• Weaving in yarn ends

More Than One Version

Purl Soho has expanded the pattern over time, so the current version offers several styling possibilities rather than only the original solid-color cowl.

Options include a classic one-color version as well as colorblock, Breton stripe, transitional stripe, and monogram variations.

Yarn requirements vary between versions, so check the current pattern before purchasing yarn for a striped or two-color cowl.

Good News: The Pattern Is Still Free

Purl Soho's Bandana Cowl is currently available as a free knitting pattern. Ravelry also provides a free pattern download and links to Purl Soho's current version.

Why This Pattern Has Stayed Popular

The Bandana Cowl has been knitted thousands of times, and its enduring appeal is easy to understand: it uses relatively little yarn, has an unusual but practical shape, and introduces short-row shaping in a manageable accessory-sized project.

It can also be a useful way to turn a special skein of warm yarn into something that is both decorative and practical.

Get the Free Bandana Cowl Pattern

Visit the Ravelry pattern page for the current free pattern information and access to Purl Soho's pattern.

Get the Free Bandana Cowl Pattern →

Pattern credit: Bandana Cowl was designed and published by Purl Soho. The project photo featured on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to KnittedWishes. Pattern specifications and availability may change over time.

More Free Cowl Knitting Patterns

Explore more free cowl knitting patterns, bandana-style cowls, and free scarf knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Check the current Purl Soho pattern before casting on, choose which version you want to make, confirm its yarn requirements, and swatch your chosen yarn if finished size and fit are important to you.

Orwell's Garden Cowl – Free Colorwork Knitting Pattern

Orwell's Garden Cowl designed by © Julie Cameron Gray / knittedblissJC

Orwell's Garden Cowl by Julie Cameron Gray (knittedblissJC) is a free stranded colorwork knitting pattern featuring repeating flowers and winding vines.

Worked in the round with fingering-weight yarn, this cozy cowl combines a simple ribbed edging with a colorful charted motif. It is a lovely project for knitters who enjoy Fair Isle and stranded colorwork or want to turn several coordinating sock-yarn colors into a wearable accessory.

Orwell's Garden Cowl Pattern Details

• Designer: Julie Cameron Gray / knittedblissJC
• Published in: Taddle Creek
• Published: Fall 2022
• Craft: Knitting
• Category: Cowl
• Pattern availability: Free web pattern
• Sizes: Small/Medium and Medium/Large
• Finished circumference: 19 (20.5) inches
• Yarn weight: Fingering / sock yarn
• Suggested yarn: Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock
• Needles: 3 mm and 3.5 mm circular needles
• Gauge: 28 stitches × 36 rounds = 4 inches in the charted design
• Construction: Worked in the round
• Technique: Stranded colorwork
• Language: English

A Floral Stranded Colorwork Cowl

The defining feature of Orwell's Garden Cowl is its stranded colorwork design. Repeating flowers and vines travel around the cowl, creating a botanical pattern that looks especially striking when the main color contrasts clearly with the three accent colors.

Unlike a lace cowl, the decorative effect here comes from changing colors according to a chart while carrying the unused yarn behind the work.

This makes Orwell's Garden Cowl an appealing project for knitters who already know basic knitting in the round and would like to practice maintaining even tension across a repeating colorwork motif.

The Story Behind Orwell's Garden Cowl

This pattern appeared alongside Julie Cameron Gray's A Life Well Spent in the Fall 2022 issue of Taddle Creek.

The accompanying piece reflects on writers and gardens, including George Orwell's roses and the idea that the things people nurture can continue long after they are gone.

That garden theme carries beautifully into the knitted cowl through its repeating flowers and vines.

Yarn and Colors

The original design uses Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock, a fingering-weight yarn.

You will need one main color and three contrasting colors. The designer estimates approximately 180 yards of the main color and about 70 yards of each contrast color.

The sample combines Linen as the main color with Shrub, Sugar Plum and Amber as the contrasting shades.

Because the individual contrast colors require relatively small amounts, this pattern may also be a useful way to combine coordinating fingering-weight yarn left from other projects, provided you have enough of each color and can achieve the required gauge.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for 3 mm circular needles for the ribbing and 3.5 mm circular needles for the colorwork.

The specified gauge is 28 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in the charted colorwork design on the larger needles.

Colorwork tension can differ from plain stockinette tension, so checking your gauge in the actual stranded pattern is more useful than measuring only a plain stockinette swatch.

Two Cowl Sizes

Orwell's Garden Cowl can be made in Small/Medium or Medium/Large.

The finished circumferences given by the designer are approximately 19 (20.5) inches.

The colorwork chart repeats around the circumference, with the number of repeats adjusted for the selected size.

How Is the Cowl Constructed?

The cowl is knitted in the round, so there is no seam to sew when the knitting is complete.

Ribbing forms the lower and upper edges, while the main section is worked from a repeating stranded-colorwork chart.

Once the knitting is finished, wet blocking helps the stitches settle and allows the colorwork fabric to relax into its finished shape.

Is Orwell's Garden Cowl a Beginner Pattern?

It is better described as a colorwork project than as a basic beginner cowl.

You should be comfortable knitting and purling, working in the round, reading a colorwork chart and handling more than one yarn color.

If you already know those basics, the repeating floral motif provides an enjoyable opportunity to practice stranded knitting on a relatively compact accessory rather than committing to a full colorwork sweater.

Choosing Colors for Your Cowl

Color contrast matters in a stranded design. If the shades are too similar, the flowers and vines can become difficult to distinguish in the finished fabric.

Consider choosing a main color that clearly separates from the contrasting shades. You can keep the palette soft and botanical like the original, or use brighter contrasts for a more dramatic interpretation.

Get the Free Orwell's Garden Cowl Pattern

The complete Orwell's Garden Cowl by Julie Cameron Gray is available free on Taddle Creek, where you can find the designer's original instructions and colorwork chart.

Get the Free Orwell's Garden Cowl Pattern

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.

Bandana Cowl - Free Pattern

 Knitting By © Purlsoho

You can make your own bandana cowl using a cute knitting pattern from The Purl Bee. Yes, I am a fan of The Purl Bee.This is a great blog run by the ladies of Purl Soho, a knitting shop that will be first on my list of places to visit. This knitting pattern and tutorial are available for free... 

Full Post: Bandana Cowl

That Nice Stitch - Free Pattern

Photos above © stitchnerd

Looking for a simple but eye-catching free cowl knitting pattern? That Nice Stitch by Susan Ashcroft is a clever accessory pattern that uses an easy slipped-stitch texture to create a fabric that looks interesting on both sides.

The design was created especially to show off variegated yarns, which can sometimes be difficult to match with the right knitting pattern. The result is a lightweight, textured cowl that can be adjusted in length and adapted to different yarn weights.

That Nice Stitch Pattern at a Glance

Pattern: That Nice Stitch

Designer: Susan Ashcroft

Published by: Stitchnerd Designs

Craft: Knitting

Category: Cowl

Technique: Slipped-stitch texture

Suggested Needle Size: US 6 / 4.0 mm

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches

Yardage: Approximately 219–437 yards (200–400 m)

Size: Length is easy to adjust

Pattern Availability: Free

About That Nice Stitch

That Nice Stitch is a cowl pattern designed by Susan Ashcroft of Stitchnerd Designs. The pattern grew from a request from the designer's mother, who wanted a cowl made with the same attractive stitch texture Susan had used in another design.

The finished fabric has a subtle woven-looking texture created with slipped stitches. One of the most appealing features of the pattern is that both sides of the fabric look attractive, making it particularly well suited to a cowl that naturally twists and folds while being worn.

A Great Pattern for Variegated Yarn

Variegated yarns can be beautiful in the skein but sometimes difficult to pair with complicated stitch patterns. That Nice Stitch was designed specifically to make the most of those changing colors.

The slipped-stitch texture adds visual interest without competing too strongly with the color changes in the yarn. This makes the pattern an appealing option for hand-dyed, multicolored, and other variegated yarns.

Yarn and Yardage

The original version was made using sock-style yarn, with the designer suggesting yarns such as Malabrigo Sock and Malabrigo Arroyo.

The published yardage range is approximately:

219–437 yards (200–400 meters)

The exact amount you need will depend on your yarn choice and how long or wide you decide to make the cowl.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists US 6 / 4.0 mm needles and a published gauge of:

22 stitches = 4 inches

If you substitute a different yarn weight, your gauge and finished measurements will change. Check the designer's original notes before choosing yarn and needles.

Adjustable Length and Size

One of the useful features of this pattern is its flexibility. The length can be adjusted, so you can make a shorter single-loop cowl or a longer version that can be wrapped around the neck more than once.

The original sample was designed as a relatively slim double-loop accessory, but the pattern also includes guidance for adapting the project to different yarn weights and finished sizes.

Skills Used in This Pattern

That Nice Stitch uses a relatively simple textured knitting technique, but the complete cowl also introduces a few useful finishing skills.

• Slipped stitches
• Working a repeating texture pattern
• Provisional cast-on
• Grafting / Kitchener stitch

The stitch pattern itself is described by the designer as easy to knit. The finishing techniques help create a continuous-looking cowl with an attractive result on both sides.

Why This Pattern Has Stayed Popular

That Nice Stitch combines several qualities knitters often look for in an accessory: a memorable texture, simple repetitive knitting, flexible sizing, and the ability to showcase colorful yarn.

It is also a practical project when you have a special skein of variegated yarn and want the yarn itself to remain the focus of the finished piece.

Is That Nice Stitch Free?

Yes. That Nice Stitch by Susan Ashcroft is currently available as a free Ravelry download.

The pattern and knitting instructions remain the copyrighted work of Susan Ashcroft. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the pattern instructions here.

Get the Free That Nice Stitch Pattern

Visit the designer's original Ravelry page to download the pattern and view the complete instructions, sizing guidance, yarn information, and any updates.

Get the Free That Nice Stitch Pattern →

Pattern credit: That Nice Stitch was designed by Susan Ashcroft and published through Stitchnerd Designs. Pattern availability and technical details are controlled by the designer and may change over time.

More Knitting Stitch and Cowl Inspiration

If you enjoy textured knitting, explore more knitting stitch patterns and free cowl knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Check the original pattern page before choosing your yarn so you can confirm the latest yarn suggestions, gauge, finishing instructions, and pattern updates.

Free For All Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © advilhauer

What beautiful knitting cowl pattern! I found it on Ravelry.

Cowl knit flat in a zigzag eyelet pattern that looks great with variegated yarn. Uses one skein (200 - 225 yards) of Worsted/DK weight yarn. Length and width easily customizable. Written instructions. Designed by Jen Peck.

Download Pattern: Free For All Cowl 

Two - Turn Snud - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Katerina Mushyn

What beautiful knitting cowl (free knitting pattern)! I found it on Pinterest... Description in English immediately after the Russian description.

Full Post: Two - Turn Snud 

Divine Drape Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © Gretchen Tracy

What beautiful knitting cowl pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

Lightweight, beautifully draped cowl with lace in front and stretchy ribbed back to hold the cowl in place. Uses one skein (200 - 250 yards, 183 - 229 m) of sport weight of yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Gretchen Tracy.

Full Post: Divine Drape Cowl

Flying Solo Cowl – Free Ombre Ribbed Cowl Knitting Pattern

Flying Solo. Photos © Espace Tricot

Flying Solo by Espace Tricot is a free unisex cowl knitting pattern with a clean ribbed texture and beautiful ombre color transitions.

The design uses two strands of fingering-weight yarn held together throughout. By changing only one strand at a time, the colors blend gradually from one shade into the next, creating the distinctive striped gradient effect.

Flying Solo Cowl Pattern Details

• Designer: Espace Tricot
• Published: November 2017
• Craft: Knitting
• Category: Cowl
• Pattern availability: Free Ravelry download
• Style: Unisex
• Size: One size
• Yarn: Two strands of fingering-weight yarn held together
• Suggested yarn: ArtFil Solo
• Total yardage: Approximately 600 yards (549 m)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
• Gauge: 27 stitches × 27 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in 1×1 rib with yarn held double
• Main stitch: 1×1 ribbing
• Construction: Bottom up
• Construction style: One piece
• Techniques: Worked flat first, then joined to work in the round
• Languages: English and French

A Simple Ribbed Cowl With an Ombre Effect

Flying Solo has a minimalist shape, but the changing yarn colors give the finished cowl much more visual depth than a basic ribbed accessory.

The entire design is based around classic 1×1 ribbing, which creates a stretchy fabric that sits comfortably around the neck. The color changes then become the main decorative element.

This combination makes Flying Solo a great choice if you prefer simple stitch patterns but still want a finished project with a distinctive look.

How the Ombre Stripes Are Created

The cleverest feature of Flying Solo is the way Espace Tricot creates the color transitions.

Instead of working with a single strand of yarn, you hold two strands together throughout the project.

When it is time to introduce a new color, only one strand is changed. For example, two strands of Color A might be followed by one strand of Color A held together with one strand of Color B. Later, both strands can become Color B.

This gradual replacement of one strand at a time produces soft ombre transitions rather than abrupt color changes.

Three Colors, Many Different Looks

The original Flying Solo sample uses three colors of ArtFil Solo.

Espace Tricot chose a neutral palette for its sample, but the designer specifically notes that the cowl can also look striking in saturated, speckled, bright or jewel-toned hand-dyed colors.

Because the colors overlap as you change one strand at a time, three yarn colors can create several visually distinct blended sections.

Using Fingering Yarn Held Double

Flying Solo uses fingering-weight yarn held double. This means you knit with two strands at the same time as though they were a single working yarn.

Holding yarn double creates a thicker fabric while also making the gradual color blending possible.

It is important to remember that the pattern's listed gauge is measured with both strands held together, not with a single strand of fingering yarn.

The Original ArtFil Solo Yarn

The suggested yarn is ArtFil Solo, a fingering-weight single-ply yarn made from 100% merino wool.

Ravelry lists ArtFil Solo at approximately 366 metres per 100 grams.

Espace Tricot describes it as a soft yarn suitable for accessories and garments worn next to the skin, which makes it a natural choice for a cowl.

Choosing Substitute Yarn

You do not need to use the original ArtFil Solo to enjoy the color concept of Flying Solo.

Look for fingering-weight yarns that work well together when held double and that produce the required ribbed gauge on 4.5 mm needles.

Using yarns with similar fiber content and yardage can make the color changes easier to manage, especially if you want the sections to have a consistent texture.

Use Hand-Dyed Yarn for Dramatic Color Blending

Flying Solo is especially well suited to hand-dyed yarn because the held-double construction naturally mixes neighboring colors.

A tonal yarn can create subtle transitions, while speckled or highly saturated yarns can produce a much bolder effect.

You can also choose three related colors for a smooth gradient or use contrasting shades for more dramatic stripes.

Bottom-Up Construction

The cowl is worked from the bottom up.

However, it does not begin entirely in the round. The lower section has separate front and back flaps, which gives the finished cowl its characteristic longer shape at the front and back.

These two sections are knitted separately first and then joined before the upper portion of the cowl continues in the round.

Front and Back Flaps

The front and back flaps are an important part of the Flying Solo design.

They extend lower than the sides of the cowl, providing additional coverage over the upper chest and back without making the entire cowl equally long.

This shaping is particularly useful when the cowl is worn beneath a coat or jacket because the longer sections can help cover the area near the neckline.

From Flat Knitting to Knitting in the Round

Flying Solo uses both flat knitting and knitting in the round.

You begin by working the two lower flaps separately. Once they are complete, the pieces are joined and the remaining cowl is worked continuously in the round.

This construction creates the shaped lower edge without requiring the entire cowl to be seamed afterward.

One-Piece Construction

Although part of the project is initially worked back and forth, the pattern is classified as a one-piece construction.

After the lower sections are joined, the main body grows upward as one continuous ribbed tube.

This keeps finishing relatively limited while preserving the unusual dipped shape at the bottom.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern uses US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles.

The specified gauge is: 27 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in 1×1 ribbing with the yarn held double.

Ribbing is naturally elastic, so gauge affects both the finished dimensions and the way the cowl stretches around the neck.

Make your gauge swatch using two strands together just as you will for the actual project.

How Much Yarn Does Flying Solo Need?

The pattern lists approximately 600 yards (549 metres) of fingering-weight yarn in total.

Because the project uses two strands simultaneously and changes colors throughout, check the original pattern carefully for the recommended distribution of the three colors before beginning.

If you substitute yarn, having a little extra can also be useful when planning your own color transitions.

Skills Used in the Flying Solo Cowl

Useful techniques for this project include:

• Knitting and purling
• 1×1 ribbing
• Working flat
• Knitting in the round
• Holding two strands of yarn together
• Changing colors
• Joining knitted sections
• Following a bottom-up construction
• Kitchener stitch / grafting

A Good Project for Learning to Hold Yarn Double

If you have never knitted with two strands held together, Flying Solo provides a practical reason to learn the technique.

The stitch pattern itself remains simple, so your attention can stay on keeping the two yarn strands together and managing the color changes.

Once you become comfortable treating two strands as one, the technique can also be useful for many other knitting projects.

Managing Two Strands of Yarn

When knitting with two strands, it helps to keep the working balls separate so they do not become unnecessarily tangled.

Check periodically that you have caught both strands when forming each stitch, particularly if the yarn colors are very similar.

When changing one color, take a moment to organize the yarn before continuing. This makes the ombre transitions easier to manage and keeps the knitting relaxing.

A Unisex Cowl

Flying Solo is designed as a unisex accessory.

The simple ribbed structure has no strongly gendered decorative elements, and the finished look changes dramatically depending on the colors you choose.

Neutral shades create a classic minimalist cowl, while brighter hand-dyed yarns can produce a much more expressive version.

Why Knit Flying Solo?

Flying Solo combines a very familiar stitch pattern with a clever color technique and practical shaping.

The 1×1 ribbing keeps the knitting straightforward, while holding two strands together and changing one strand at a time creates sophisticated-looking ombre stripes.

The separate front and back flaps also give the cowl more coverage than a simple straight tube, making the construction visually interesting as well as functional.

Get the Free Flying Solo Cowl Pattern

The complete Flying Solo by Espace Tricot is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern from the Espace Tricot Ravelry Store.

Get the Free Flying Solo Cowl Knitting Pattern

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.

Getting Warmer - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Espace Tricot

What beautiful knitting cowl (Free Pattern)! I found it on Ravelry...

Simple and stylish, GETTING WARMER is a light and cozy cowl worked from the bottom up, transitioning from easy 2×2 rib to garter stitch in the round with regular decreases. It can be pulled down over one or both shoulders and the neck will remain snug and close without gaping. Knit with three skeins of Woolfolk LUFT, a luscious and ultra-soft blend of merino and cotton.

Download Pattern: Getting Warmer 

Bonjour Hi Cowl – Funnel Neck Shoulder Warmer Knitting Pattern

Bonjour Hi Cowl. Photos © Espace Tricot

Bonjour Hi by Melissa Clulow of Espace Tricot is a stylish knitted cowl and shoulder warmer featuring a cozy funnel neck and a generously shaped yoke that sits comfortably over the shoulders.

The design is worked seamlessly from the top down using a fingering-weight yarn held together with laceweight mohair. The result is a lightweight but wonderfully warm accessory that falls somewhere between a traditional cowl and a small capelet.

Bonjour Hi Cowl Pattern Details

• Designer: Melissa Clulow / Espace Tricot
• Published: September 2019
• Craft: Knitting
• Category: Cowl / shoulder warmer
• Pattern status: Currently available as part of the 10 Circular Yokes from Espace Tricot collection
• Sizes: Four
• Finished bottom circumference: 45.5 (48, 53, 59) inches / 115.5 (122, 135, 149.5) cm
• Yarn: Fingering or light-fingering yarn held together with laceweight mohair
• Total listed yardage: 645–951 yards (590–870 m)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
• Gauge: 19 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in blocked stockinette with both yarns held together
• Construction: Top down, one piece and seamless
• Worked: In the round
• Neck: Funnel neck with ribbing
• Languages: English and French

Part Cowl, Part Shoulder Warmer

Bonjour Hi is more substantial than a standard close-fitting cowl. Its tall funnel neck keeps the neck warm, while the lower portion expands generously across the shoulders.

This creates the cozy effect of a miniature capelet without requiring you to knit an entire poncho or sweater.

It can be worn over a shirt, sweater or coat as an extra layer when you want warmth around both the neck and upper body.

Seamless Top-Down Construction

The cowl begins at the neck and is worked from the top down in the round.

After establishing the funnel neck, increases are distributed through the yoke so that the fabric gradually expands toward the shoulders.

Because the entire accessory is worked as one piece, there are no seams to sew when the knitting is complete.

A Circular-Yoke Inspired Cowl

The shaping is similar in concept to the upper portion of a top-down circular-yoke sweater.

Instead of continuing into a full sweater body and sleeves, the design ends after it has expanded sufficiently to cover the shoulders.

This makes Bonjour Hi an interesting smaller project for knitters who want to experience circular-yoke shaping without committing to an entire garment.

Four Finished Circumferences

The pattern includes four sizes with finished bottom circumferences of:

• 45.5 inches / 115.5 cm
• 48 inches / 122 cm
• 53 inches / 135 cm
• 59 inches / 149.5 cm

These measurements refer to the wide lower edge that sits around the shoulders rather than the circumference of the neck.

Two Yarns Held Together

One of the defining features of Bonjour Hi is its yarn combination.

A fingering or light-fingering yarn is held together with a strand of laceweight mohair-silk yarn throughout the project.

The two strands behave as a single yarn while knitting, combining the structure and color of the fingering yarn with the soft halo of mohair.

The Original Yarn Combination

The original version was made using:

• Malabrigo Mechita – fingering-weight merino
• Isager Silk Mohair – laceweight mohair and silk

More recent Espace Tricot versions also reference combinations such as Espace Tricot Grace with Bon Tricot Bliss Mohair.

The important principle is the same: the two strands are held together throughout.

Choosing Substitute Yarns

You do not need to use the exact original yarns, but try to preserve the relationship between the two strands.

A smooth fingering-weight wool or wool blend paired with a laceweight mohair-silk yarn can produce a fabric similar in character to the original.

This construction also creates many opportunities for color play. Two closely related colors can create subtle depth, while contrasting strands can produce a more visible marled effect.

Gauge

The specified blocked gauge is:

19 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
in stockinette with both yarns held together

Because mohair can change significantly after washing and blocking, measuring a blocked swatch is particularly useful for this project.

Needles

The pattern lists:

• US 8 (5 mm)
• US 7 (4.5 mm)

Circular needles are used because the cowl is knitted in the round.

As always, use the needle size that allows you to achieve the required gauge rather than relying only on the suggested size.

The Funnel Neck

Bonjour Hi begins with a tall ribbed funnel neck.

Unlike a loose traditional cowl that may fall away from the neck, the funnel shape is intended to provide a closer, warmer layer around the neckline.

The ribbing also gives the neck enough elasticity to remain comfortable while retaining its shape.

Generous Yoke Increases

Below the neck, increases are added across the yoke to create the shoulder-warming shape.

These increases are what transform the project from a simple tube into the distinctive flared silhouette shown in the finished design.

As the circumference grows, the fabric settles naturally over the shoulders.

Adjusting the Length

The designer notes that the length of Bonjour Hi can be customized.

This gives you some flexibility if you prefer more or less coverage over the shoulders.

Remember that adding extra length will increase the amount of yarn required, particularly because two strands are being used together throughout.

Skills Used in Bonjour Hi

Useful techniques for this project include:

• Knitting and purling
• Ribbing
• Knitting in the round
• Holding two strands of yarn together
• Working top down
• Yoke increases
• Stockinette stitch
• Changing needle sizes
• Binding off
• Blocking mohair-blend fabric

Is Bonjour Hi Beginner Friendly?

The construction is relatively approachable because the accessory is seamless and does not require sleeves, heel turns, complicated seaming or intricate cable work.

A knitter who is already comfortable knitting and purling in the round can use the project to practice top-down shaping and working with two yarns held together.

Mohair can be less forgiving when stitches need to be undone, so newer knitters may want to work carefully and check their progress regularly.

A Lightweight but Warm Layer

Pairing fine wool with mohair allows Bonjour Hi to provide warmth without the heavy feel of a bulky cowl.

The funnel neck protects the neck while the wide lower section adds an extra layer across the shoulders, making the design especially useful during transitional weather or under a winter coat.

A Unisex Cowl Pattern

Bonjour Hi is categorized as a unisex adult accessory.

Yarn and color choices can dramatically change its character, from a soft luxurious accessory in delicate neutrals to a more rustic or understated winter layer.

The Little Sister to Getting Warmer

Espace Tricot describes Bonjour Hi as the little sister to its Getting Warmer cowl.

Both designs explore the idea of extending a cowl over the shoulders, but Bonjour Hi uses finer yarns and a mohair combination for a lighter, softer fabric.

Why Knit the Bonjour Hi Cowl?

Bonjour Hi offers more coverage than an ordinary cowl while remaining far quicker and simpler than knitting a full sweater.

Its combination of a funnel neck, circular-yoke shaping and fingering-plus-mohair fabric creates a polished accessory from relatively straightforward knitting techniques.

With four finished circumferences and an adjustable length, there is also useful flexibility for choosing how generously the finished cowl sits over the shoulders.

Get the Bonjour Hi Knitting Pattern

Bonjour Hi by Melissa Clulow / Espace Tricot is currently listed as part of the 10 Circular Yokes from Espace Tricot pattern collection.

View the Bonjour Hi Knitting Pattern →

This design was previously distributed as a free pattern, but its current availability has changed. Pattern availability and pricing on external websites may change over time.

Prisma Loop Cowl Infinite Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Cloud House Studio

What beautiful knitting cowl infinity scarf (Free Pattern)! I found it on Ravelry...

Garter stitch stripes combined with gradient yarn create a colorful cowl or infinite scarf.

Download Pattern: Prisma Loop

103 Free Knitting Patterns for Women, Men & Kids

103 Free Knitting Patterns collection. Original collection by Alea Milham / Premeditated Leftovers.

Looking for your next knitting project? This collection brings together 103 free knitting patterns for women, men and children, with ideas ranging from quick hats and scarves to sweaters, socks, boot cuffs and adorable baby knits.

The original collection was curated by Alea Milham for Premeditated Leftovers and includes projects for different skill levels, from approachable beginner-friendly knits to more detailed intermediate and advanced patterns.

Rather than reproducing the original list here, this guide will help you understand what you can find in the collection, choose a project that matches your skills and yarn, and explore additional free knitting resources on Amazing Knitting.

What's Included in the 103 Free Knitting Patterns?

One of the strengths of this collection is its variety. It is not limited to one type of garment or one age group.

The original roundup is organized into patterns for women, men, kids and babies, covering everything from accessories to garments.

Free Knitting Patterns for Women

The women's section offers one of the widest selections in the original collection, with projects for both quick knitting and more ambitious wardrobe pieces.

Categories include:

• Knitted hats and berets
• Scarves, cowls and infinity scarves
• Sweaters, cardigans and wraps
• Socks
• Boot cuffs

This variety makes the collection useful whether you want a small accessory for a weekend project or a larger garment that will keep your needles busy for longer.

Free Hat Knitting Patterns for Women

Hats are a practical place to begin when browsing a large knitting collection because they are generally smaller than sweaters and offer opportunities to practice shaping, knitting in the round, texture and decorative techniques.

The original roundup includes simple hats as well as more detailed designs featuring lace, unusual shaping and other techniques.

When choosing a hat pattern, check the recommended yarn weight and finished circumference rather than selecting a project based only on appearance.

Free Scarf and Cowl Knitting Patterns

Scarves and cowls are another major category in the collection.

They range from relatively straightforward designs to projects using lace and more decorative stitch patterns.

A scarf can be particularly useful for practicing a new technique because fit is generally less critical than it is with a sweater, sock or fitted hat.

Free Sweater Knitting Patterns for Women

If you are ready for a larger project, the original collection also includes women's sweaters and wraps.

Garment knitting requires a little more planning than making a scarf or hat. Before choosing a sweater, check:

• The available finished sizes
• The designer's intended ease
• Gauge and recommended yarn weight
• Construction method
• Required techniques
• Approximate yarn quantity

Taking time to understand these details before casting on can prevent many common fit problems later.

Free Sock and Boot Cuff Patterns

The women's portion of the collection also includes knitted socks and boot cuffs.

Socks are excellent projects for learning small-circumference knitting, heel construction and shaping, while boot cuffs can provide a much quicker introduction to knitting accessories for the legs.

If you are new to sock knitting, look carefully at the listed difficulty level and techniques before choosing your first pair.

Free Knitting Patterns for Men

Finding a varied group of free men's knitting patterns can sometimes be more difficult than finding women's accessories, so the men's section is particularly useful.

The original roundup includes:

• Men's hats
• Scarves
• Sweaters and pullovers
• Socks
• Slippers

These range from straightforward everyday accessories to more involved cable and garment projects.

Free Hat Patterns for Men

A knitted hat is one of the most useful handmade gifts for men because it can be practical, relatively quick and easy to customize through yarn and color.

The collection includes both simple designs and hats using techniques such as cables, earflaps and more distinctive shaping.

For gift knitting, pay particular attention to head circumference and the amount of negative ease intended by the designer.

Free Men's Scarf Patterns

Men's scarves offer plenty of room to experiment with texture while keeping construction relatively simple.

When choosing a scarf for everyday wear, consider not only the stitch pattern but also the fiber. Softness matters because the finished scarf will be worn directly against the neck.

Free Men's Sweater Patterns

The roundup also includes men's sweaters, ranging from simpler garments to cable designs.

Before beginning any sweater, take accurate body measurements and compare them with the pattern's finished dimensions.

Do not automatically choose a size based only on a familiar clothing label. Knitting-pattern sizing and intended ease can vary significantly between designers.

Free Men's Sock and Slipper Patterns

Socks and slippers can make useful handmade gifts and allow you to work with smaller amounts of yarn than a full sweater.

The original collection includes several styles and difficulty levels, so check construction details before deciding which one best matches your experience.

Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies

The children's section adds another useful group of projects to the collection, including accessories, garments and footwear.

Categories include:

• Kids' and baby hats
• Children's scarves
• Baby and kids' sweaters
• Baby booties
• Children's slippers and socks

Small children's projects can be satisfying choices when you want to practice garment or accessory construction on a smaller scale.

Free Baby and Kids' Hat Patterns

Children's hats are among the most playful projects in the original roundup.

The collection includes simple styles alongside novelty and character designs, making this category particularly useful when you are knitting a personalized gift.

Always choose size by the designer's measurements whenever possible, since children's head sizes can vary considerably even at the same age.

Free Sweater Patterns for Babies and Kids

Baby and children's sweaters provide an opportunity to practice garment construction without the yarn commitment of a full adult sweater.

When selecting a children's garment, consider washability as well as softness. Easy-care yarn can make a handmade sweater much more practical for parents.

Free Baby Booties and Slipper Patterns

The collection finishes with small footwear projects for babies and children, including booties, slippers and socks.

These can be excellent gift projects because they are compact and often require relatively little yarn.

Fit still matters, however, so check gauge and finished measurements carefully even when the project is tiny.

Easy, Intermediate and Advanced Knitting Patterns

Another useful feature of the original 103-pattern roundup is that many projects are identified by general difficulty level: Easy, Intermediate or Advanced.

Treat those labels as a starting point rather than an absolute rule. Difficulty can feel very different depending on which techniques you already know.

How to Choose a Pattern for Your Skill Level

Instead of looking only at a pattern's difficulty label, scan its techniques before starting.

For example, a project may involve:

• Knitting and purling
• Working in the round
• Increasing and decreasing
• Cables
• Lace and yarn overs
• Colorwork
• Short rows
• Picking up stitches
• Seaming
• Garment shaping

A pattern labeled intermediate may feel quite manageable if you already know its main techniques, while an otherwise simple pattern can feel challenging if it introduces several skills that are new to you.

Good Projects for Beginning Knitters

If you are still building confidence, start by looking for patterns with straightforward construction and familiar stitches.

Scarves, simple cowls, boot cuffs and basic hats can often provide a manageable next step after learning the knit and purl stitches.

Once those skills feel comfortable, you can gradually add shaping, circular knitting, cables, lace or garment construction.

Choosing Yarn for a Free Knitting Pattern

Finding a free pattern is only the beginning. Choosing appropriate yarn is one of the most important steps before casting on.

Start with the yarn weight and gauge specified by the designer rather than choosing a substitute based only on appearance.

Two yarns described with the same general weight can still behave differently because of fiber content, construction and elasticity.

Can You Substitute the Recommended Yarn?

In many knitting projects, yes—but substitution should be based on more than matching the yarn-weight label.

Compare:

• Gauge
• Fiber content
• Yardage per ball or skein
• Fabric drape
• Elasticity
• Care instructions

Make a swatch for projects where finished size matters, especially sweaters, hats, socks and fitted children's garments.

Why Gauge Matters

Gauge tells you how many stitches and rows your knitting produces over a specific measurement.

If your gauge differs significantly from the designer's, a fitted project may come out larger or smaller than intended even when you follow the correct size instructions.

This is why a gauge swatch is worth the extra time for garments and other size-sensitive projects.

Choosing a Project for Gift Knitting

Many of these 103 free patterns can be used for handmade gifts.

Before choosing one, consider how much time you have, whether you know the recipient's measurements and how easy the finished item will be to care for.

Hats, scarves, cowls, baby accessories and slippers can be easier gift projects when precise garment sizing is unavailable.

Check Pattern Availability Before You Cast On

The original 103-pattern collection was published in 2016. Over time, independent knitting websites can move, designers can change how their patterns are distributed, and old links can disappear.

For that reason, always check the current designer or publisher page before buying yarn for an older free pattern.

A pattern that was free when an older roundup was published is not guaranteed to remain free forever.

More Free Knitting Patterns on Amazing Knitting

If you prefer smaller, recently reviewed collections, Amazing Knitting also maintains curated pattern guides organized around specific project types.

7 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns →

9 Free Baby Sweater & Cardigan Knitting Patterns →

7 Free One-Skein Knitting Patterns →

9 Free Baby Hat & Booties Knitting Patterns →

Explore the Original 103 Free Knitting Patterns

The complete original roundup was curated by Alea Milham for Premeditated Leftovers and includes links to knitting patterns for women, men, children and babies.

Because it is an older collection, availability may have changed for individual patterns. Check each designer's current page before starting a project.

Explore the Original 103 Free Knitting Patterns →

The original 103-pattern roundup and its selection belong to Premeditated Leftovers. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the individual designers' copyrighted pattern instructions. Pattern availability and terms are determined by each designer or publisher.

Show Off Chevron Cowl - Free Pattern

Photos above © Aimee Pelletier

What beautiful cowl knitting pattern! I found it on Ravelry...

The free download will print from Ravelry as a two up document. Maybe give one half to a friend! Yarn shops…feel free to print and give to customers who buy the yarn!

Download Pattern: Show Off Chevron Cowl

YYC Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Vikki Perkins

What beautiful cowl knitting pattern! I found it on Ravelry...

This quick cowl’s lace motif reminded me of the top of the letter Y, and so I simply named this for the airport code for my hometown of Calgary.

Download Pattern: YYC Cowl 

Diandra Sweater - Free Pattern

The photo above ©  Amano Yarns

What beautiful knitting sweater (free pattern)! I found it on Ravelry...

Pullover with striped cowl collar and sleeve cuffs knit in a 6 row repeat 3 color broken rib stripe. Worked seamlessly in the round from the top down. Sizes Bust – 38½ (41-46-49½-53½)" 98 (104-117-126-136) cm. Worsted weight yarn. 

Download Pattern: Diandra