Winter is almost here, and so is the rain and the chill. That means it’s time to get started on making the right accessories that will keep you warm. These 18 cowl knitting patterns are perfect to keep you warm and cozy this winter!
Free knitting cowl patterns are a great way to learn how to knit and play around with new techniques and knit stitches. When you knit a cowl, you know that it’s not a massive investment in yarn or time either.
The beauty of cowl knitting patterns is the variety of styles, thicknesses, and stitches you can use to make these knitting projects as simple or as complicated as you want. This includes lace knit cowls, infinity scarf cowls, chunky knit cowls, and a full range of other styles.
Update your winter wardrobe with one of these stunning knit cowls or give it as a luxurious handmade gift to friends or family members.
Ribbed Velvet Knit Cowl
This is a quick and fairly beginner-friendly knitting project that ends up looking like something you would buy in the store for lots of money and you would never know it’s handmade! Made with Lion Brand Vel Luxe yarn, the knit pattern is designed with a simple ribbing construction and it’s so easy to make.
Via Just Be Crafty
The Central Park Knit Cowl
This knit cowl gives you both the contrast and the beauty that Central Park gives NYC — you can tell your own color story. Made with circular needles, It is an easy knit that works up super fast and it’s great for beginner knitters.
Via Stitch & Hustle
Scraptastic
This Scraptastic knit cowl ’s a very warm and cozy cowl that you’ll be wearing non-stop. It fits snug around the neck and is tall enough to pull up over your nose. Because the cowl knitting pattern is worked in the round in a tubular shape, the cowl has double thickness – deliciously snug on a cold morning!
Via Leonie Morgan
Red Heart Fair Isle Stranded Cowl
This modern Fair Isle knit cowl pattern takes advantage of self-striping yarn for the contrast color, so there are few ends to weave in. And the bulky weight yarn means quicker results — so it’s great when you have a gift deadline to meet.
Via Yarnspirations
Floats Cowl
There’s much more to this easy knit cowl than meets the eye. Named for the “floating” slip-stitched strands that forms vertical columns on one side, the Floats Cowl is knit in the round in a crazy-simple 2-round stitch pattern.
Via Purl Soho
Bulky Ribbed Cowl
Big bulky cowls are popular, stylish, and warm. This chunky cowl knitting pattern is easy enough for a beginning knitter who’s learning to knit, but also quick enough for an experienced knitter to make in an evening. It is also completely reversible.
Jeansy Cowl
This Cozy cowl is knitted with a simple textured stitch. It’s designed to keep your neck warm, but it’s long enough to be pulled up and worn as a hood. It’s fully reversible and it’s worked in the round in one piece.
Via Lovecrafts
Copycat Cowl
A simple cowl that mirrors the popular knit beanie style that we love. Just knits and purls with some simple increases to add a gentle flair to the base and encourage graceful puddling.
Via Ravelry
Two-Hour Cowl
Have a hankering for a fun, quick and easy knit project? Knit the two-hour cowl! This stylish and cozy cowl knits up super fast and is a perfect last-minute gift for a friend OR yourself!
Via Baste & Gather
Bubblegum Cowl
This chunky knit cowl is suitable for both kids and adults alike. Knit with thick bubblegum pink yarn, it is a super-fast project to make for yourself or for a quick gift. This cowl is knit in the round from the bottom up with alternating bands of stockinette and seed stitch.
Via Fiber Flux Blog
Long John Cowl
The Long John Cowl is all about comfortably, keeping warm and layering for the cold. The weave of the Long John Cowl is accomplished by working two rows of knitting, and two rows with slipped stitches.
Via Hands Occupied
Bulky Lace Cowl
This Bulky Lace Knit Cowl is a one-skein knitting project and works up fast… just a few hours and done! The easy lace knit pattern is perfect for a first-time lace knitter. It has a repetitive and easy to memorize stitch pattern.
Via Nobleknits
Dragon Fire Cowl
If you’re in love with bulky yarn and exploring its abilities to turn into nice cowls, this is the perfect knitting pattern!
Via Wiam’s Crafts
Willowwork Cowl
Knit cowls are the perfect addition to any winter ensemble. Worked in the round from the bottom up, this striking cowl combines thoughtful ribbing, twisted stitches, and stranded colorwork.
Via Universal Yarn
Denver Cozy Knit Cowl
This knit cowl is not only perfect for every day but as a snowboarding gal who wants style and flare – it is also fab for underneath a jacket without extra bulging or bunching up. The shaped feature creates a subtle flowery effect and the stitch technique gives an added accent. The Lion Brand Vel Luxe yarn is pretty fabulous too!
Via Stitch & Hustle
The Huggle
This hooded cowl free knitting pattern is a true showstopper! Even in all of it’s oversized glory, this statement piece is very simple to create which makes it a great introduction to knitting in the round.
Via Make & Do Crew
Lola Cowl
This chunky knit pattern shows off the intricate beauty of the Bamboo Stitch. The stretchy nature of the stitch allows you to wear it high or pulled down low.
Via Love Fest
Knit Cowl
Whether you are a fast knitter looking for a gift idea, or you are looking for a fun gift for yourself, check out this handy dandy knit cowl! This pattern is great for beginners and a fun project for those with more experience.
Via Once Upon A Sewing Machine
Lace Knit Cowl
This knit stitch pattern swings back and forth around the wearer’s neck reminding us of the West Coast Swing dance style, and its dance step called the Basket Whip. This cowl is knitted in the round. The combination of thin yarn and large needles make this cowl lacy and warm. Loose cast on and bind off edges are necessary so that the edges will make attractive points when blocked.
With all the cowl knitting patterns above, you’ll be ready for the winter as well as warm and cozy without a doubt! If you’re a scarf-lover, then you’ll definitely love creating a selection of cowls to choose from, too. Even if you’re looking for something simple, easy and fun to make for gifting, these cowl knitting patterns are perfect to do just that.
Whether you’ve dabbled in knitting, have made a few pieces or never picked up needles before, the fundamentals of knitting are essential to get right. In over 40+ professionally filmed video lessons, you’ll learn these fundamentals from the ground up, then take those skills and put them into practice with three great patterns: A Sampler Scarf, A Simple Classic Knit Hat & A Shawl. Check out the Learn to Knit class here.