Cowls can be somewhat tricky garments to define, and truthfully there’s no single definition.
Much like a snood or infinity scarf, contemporary knitted cowls are tubular-shaped garments that cover the neck and the tops of the shoulders, and are typically worn underneath outfits as a winter accessory or for an added layer of warmth.
Despite their similarities, a modern knitted cowl is typically chunkier, tighter around the neck, and shorter than its scarf or snood counterparts. Often, there’s much less loose fabric to work with.
Put simply, a cowl is typically smaller, tighter, and shorter than a snood or infinity scarf, which can sometimes be long enough to double around the neck once or twice.
However you define them, cowls provide warmth, protection, and style in the colder months. They’re also much-loved in the knitting community and make excellent projects for beginner knitters.
Here’s why cowls are great for beginners:
- Most cowl knitting patterns demand very little attention. They’re knitted seamlessly in the round and require no shaping, sewing, or sizing, which makes them very easy to knit.
- Basic construction is very easy, which means you can spend more time experimenting with different knitting stitches, techniques, and colors.
- You can knit a cowl with just one or two skeins of yarn, which makes the project affordable or a great way to use up your leftovers.
The list really does go on! However, if you’re already convinced that knitting a cowl is for you, then stay put.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of beautiful and easy cowl knitting patterns for any level of knitter. You’ll find free and paid patterns using a variety of different stitching techniques, so you can work up the cowl you’ve been dreaming of.
14 Cowl Knitting Patterns (Just 1 or 2 Skeins of Yarn)
Let the knitting patterns begin. In this list, you’ll find a hand-picked selection of stunning knitted cowl patterns that you can complete in a day or two with just one or two skeins of yarn.
1. Easy Cowl Knitting Pattern
| Price | $4.73/£3.93 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Round Knitting Fair Isle Knitting |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | Easy Cowl Knitting Pattern – DarlingJadore on Etsy |
This pattern might look complicated, but even beginners will be able to work it up in no time. It uses 5mm circular needles and approximately 400m of medium weight yarn to create a highly-textured knitted cowl with a beautifully rustic, geometric design.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Worsted/Medium Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 402m |
2. Quick & Simple Knitted Cowl Pattern
| Price | $5.00/£4.16 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | Mandala Watercolors – Lion Brand |
| Designer’s Website | Quick & Simple Knitted Cowl – CozyCraftingShop on Etsy |
Get ready to knit a cowl that’s as cute as it is cozy. Pictured here in a vibrant pink, this pattern creates a wonderfully chunky knitted cowl using 100g of bulky yarn. It’s squishy, soft, and super easy for beginners to knit in a single weekend.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 150m |
| Yarn Quantity | 100g |
3. “Kentmere” Cowl Knitting Pattern
| Price | $4.39/£3.65 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Garter Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | “Kentmere” Cowl – LilyKateMakes on Etsy |
The “Kentmere” cowl is a sophisticated design created using garter stitch and two interlocking möbius loops for some serious volume. The pattern includes instructions for modifying your knitting gauge to any yarn weight, so you can customize it to your preference.
Knitted flat throughout, this is an excellent pattern if you want to knit a cowl on straight needles instead of circular.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 10/6mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | N/A – See Pattern |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
4. “Patent Loop” Neck-warmer Cowl
| Price | $3.82/£3.18 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Tubular Cast-On Round Knitting Brioche Stitch Tubular Bind-Off |
| Suggested Yarn | Eco Cashmere Vintage – Gepard |
| Designer’s Website | “Patent Loop” Cowl – Other Loops |
Knitted primarily in brioche stitch, this snug cowl knitting pattern begins with the tubular cast-on method and ends with the tubular bind-off. Worked entirely in luxurious 100% cashmere yarn, this cowl is roomy, plush, and absolutely fashionable. It’ll hold its own as a key part of any outfit.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 150m |
| Yarn Quantity | 150g |
5. The “Bandana” Free Cowl Knitting Pattern
| Price | $0.00 (Free) |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Plenty — Purl Soho |
| Designer’s Website | The “Bandana” Cowl — Purl Soho |
Available to download completely for free, the “Bandana” cowl pattern by Purl Soho comes with instructions for three different designs: one color, two color, and striped. All of these options include instructions for one size and are knitted using stockinette stitch, 6mm circular needles, and 1 to 2 skeins of yarn.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 10/6mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 127m |
| Yarn Quantity | 100g |
6. The “Milton” Modern Chunky Cowl
| Price | $4.00/£3.33 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | The “Milton” Cowl – MMadisonMarie on Etsy |
The Milton cowl is a modern, minimalist pattern that’s delightfully easy to knit but still looks absolutely fabulous. It sports a beautifully chunky texture that’s created using bulky yarn and 10mm circular needles — perfect for adding some warmth and comfort to your winter wardrobe!
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 15/10mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Super Bulky |
| Yarn Quantity | 137m |
7. The “Nellie” Neck-Warmer Cowl Pattern
| Price | $6.01/£5.00 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Rib Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Mechera Handknit Yarn – Aiayu |
| Designer’s Website | The “Nellie” Neckwarmer – My Favourite Things Knitwear |
Another quick knit, this cowl pattern by My Favourite Things Knitwear is simple but sophisticated. Knitted from the top down in a basic ribbing pattern, it produces a warm, elastic fabric that will stretch to 13.5 inches in length. Worked on circular needles, it’s separated into two different sections that require both round knitting and flat knitting.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 50m |
| Yarn Quantity | 200g |
8. The “Nokhu” Chunky Ribbed Cowl
| Price | $6.00/£4.99 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Round knitting Rib Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | The “Nokhu” Cowl – SmeenyBeanieKnits on Etsy |
This chunky knitted cowl pattern will hoover up your scraps of yarn and turn them into a thing of beauty! It’s a fun, easy design that works perfectly for using lots of different colors. It’s knitted in the round using circular needles to create a super comfy, close-to-the-neck cowl that’ll keep you warm no matter how freezing it gets.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | N/A – See Pattern |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Super Bulky |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
9. Easy Cable Cowl Knitting Pattern
| Price | $4.00/£3.33 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Round Knitting Cable Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Full – BBB Filati Soft Dream – BBB Filati |
| Designer’s Website | Easy Cable Cowl – MyCharmingWool on Etsy |
In this design, a beautiful knitted cable pattern is combined with fluffy yarn for an elegant and wonderfully textured cowl. Don’t let the style fool you though — it’s designed with comfort and everyday wear in mind. The cowl is knitted seamlessly on big needles with a simple, repetitive pattern, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 10/6mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 90m (Yarn A) 25g = 220m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 2 Skeins (Yarn A) 1 Skein (Yarn B) |
10. Free Chunky Knitted Cowl Pattern
| Price | $0.00 (Free) |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Round Knitting Rib Stitch Cable Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Mandala Watercolors – Lion Brand |
| Designer’s Website | Chunky Cowl — Alex Widstrand on Ravelry |
This stunning free cowl knitting pattern uses almost exactly one skein of yarn. It combines both ribbing and cables to produce a beautifully stretchy, slouchy, and highly-textured fabric that you won’t want to take off.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 11/8mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 150m |
| Yarn Quantity | 1 Skein |
11. The “Catstye” Cowl by Rowan
| Price | $4.81/£4.00 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Fair Isle Knitting |
| Suggested Yarn | Moordale – Rowan |
| Designer’s Website | The “Catstye” Cowl – Rowan |
Designed by Lisa Richardson from Rowan, this vibrant Fair Isle cowl might look intimidating, but its intricate details are absolutely worthwhile. It uses four skeins of yarn in four different shades, along with 4mm circular needles for a tightly-knit fabric.
The “Catstye” cowl isn’t just stylish, it’s also functional: it’s one of the only patterns in this list that’s long enough to be wrapped around the neck twice.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 230m |
| Yarn Quantity | 4 Balls |
12. Lace Knit Cowl Pattern
| Price | $4.73/£3.93 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Garter Stitch Lace Knitting |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | Lace Knit Cowl Pattern – DarlingJadore on Etsy |
Best suited to advanced beginners, the “Fauna” cowl by DarlingJadore blends waves of basic garter stitch with peaks of delicate lacework. The Shetland lace knitting involved may take longer and use more yarn than some of the other patterns in this list (320m to be exact), but the results are definitely worth it.
If you like the style of this cowl, check out our full list of lace knitting patterns for similar designs.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Worsted/Medium Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 320m |
13. “Spor I” Cowl
| Price | $6.60/£5.49 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Rib Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Soft Fuzz – Pickles Soft Merino – Pickles |
| Designer’s Website | “Spor I Cowl” – Pickles |
The “Spor I” cowl by Norwegian knitting brand Pickles is a cool, understated Scandinavian-chic at its finest. It’s worked from the top down in a classic rib pattern using 3mm circular needles and two types of yarn held together — easy as pie.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 2.5/3mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 195m (Yarn A) 50g = 125m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 50g (Yarn A) 50g-100g (Yarn B) |
14. The “Stranded” Cowl
| Price | $6.00/£4.99 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | Far – Woolfolk Gruesa – Malabrigo |
| Designer’s Website | The “Stranded” Cowl – Cocoknits |
This knitted cowl pattern is actually reversible: you can choose to show the right side or the wrong side, depending on your preference. Though it may look complicated thanks to its woven texture, it’s actually super easy for beginners to knit using two types of yarn and some foundational knitting techniques.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 11/8mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 130m (Yarn A) 100g = 60m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 1 Skein (Yarn A) 1 Skein (Yarn B) |
Knitting a Simple Cowl: Everything You Need to Know
Cowls are such a joy to knit because they’re usually very easy. There’s no increasing or decreasing, positive ease, or sizing to worry about — just basic knit and purl stitches.
Most cowl patterns are knit in the round on circular needles. To start, you simply cast on enough stitches to match your desired circumference, then keep adding rows until the cowl reaches your desired width.
On average, they’re usually around 60 inches long and 20 inches wide — although this can vary a lot depending on the design.
You can add colorwork, different stitch patterns, and other techniques along the way, but at its most basic, it’s really as simple as that!
How Many Stitches Should I Cast On For a Cowl?
You can work out how many stitches to cast on using two figures: your knitting gauge, and the desired width of your cowl.
First, calculate the stitches per inch of your knitting gauge. You can do this by eye using a normal ruler, or you can use a dedicated knitting gauge ruler.
Then, multiply this figure by your desired width for the cowl in inches. For example, if you want your cowl to be 20 inches wide and you have a gauge of 3 stitches per inch, multiply 20 by 3. This will give you a total of 60 stitches to cast on.
Can You Knit a Cowl on Straight Needles?
Cowls have a tubular shape, which means most cowl knitting patterns are knit in the round using circular or double pointed needles.
However, you can knit some cowl patterns back and forth using straight knitting needles, too. To do this, you’ll need to knit a long, rectangular shape and then seam the ends together to form a tube at the end.
How Much Yarn do I Need for a Cowl?
One of the best parts about knitting a cowl is how little yarn you need. The exact amount will depend on your knitting pattern, but you’ll almost always need much less yarn than a bigger project like a sweater or a full scarf.
In most cases, you’ll need between 100g and 200g of yarn, or between 150m and 300m depending on the yarn weight category. This usually amounts to just one or two skeins for each cowl you knit.
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