Knitting patterns for cowls and neckarmers knit with color-change cake, self-striping, long gradient, ombre, and multi-colored yarns. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 12/2/22
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Briochepira Cowl
Cowl worked in two-color double brioche. Choose any weight of two contrasting yet coordinating colors that together make a fun combination. Long color repeats, gradients, or ombre yarns are ideal. written for three different yarn weights (fingering, sport, and worsted), but it’s infinitely customizable for any yarn, size, and fit! Designed by Susanna Winter.
South Beach Cowl
Reversible cowl knit with 2 colors of gradient yarn in a 4 row repeat of brioche tuck. Designed by Nancy Marchant. Sport weight yarn.
Jeansy Cowl
Reversible cowl knit in the round with a textured zigzag chevron stitch that's perfect for color-change cake or ombre yarn, as well as solid colors. 16 row repeat. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Long enough to be worn as a hood as well as a cowl. Fully reversible. Designed by Maria Socha. Aran weight yarn.
Easy Layer Cake Loop
Reversible infinity scarf cowl knit in the round with 3 different textures including a 2 row repeat cartridge rib, a knotted eyelet lace section, and a welted rib section. Perfect for color-change cake or ombre yarn, as well as solid colors. Size is easily customizable so you can create a neckwarmer, shoulder cozy, scarf, even poncho. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Worsted or sport weight yarn. Designed by steepndeep's Designs. Pictured projects by LaurenW13 and mtorresusa
Easy Broken Rib Cowl
Reversible infinity scarf cowl knit in the round with a 2 row repeat broken rib stitch that's perfect for color-change cake or ombre yarn, as well as solid colors. Rated easy by Ravelrers. You can use it with any yarn, any gauge. Designed by Wendy D. Johnson.
Mandala Cowl
Infinity scarf knit with different stitch textures including cables and lace to showcase color change or ombre yarn. Versatile accessory can be worn around the neck as a cowl, down as a scarf, or over the shoulders. DK weight yarn. Designed by Mary Dickerson.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version
- See the Ravelry page and get the pdf
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Mandala yarn
Rainbow Road Cowl
Chevron striped cowl knit flat with a 2 row repeat stitch pattern and seamed. I think this would work well with self-striping, ombre, or color-change cake yarn, though it was designed for mini skeins. Also good for stashbusting. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Quinn Reverendo for Fairmount Fibers.
More Free Patterns
4 Row Repeat Train Track Neckwarmer
Versatile buttoned scarf that can be worn as a cowl, shoulder wrap, scarf, and more. Knit with a 4 row repeat in 2 contrasting colors, it's a perfect showcase for ombre yarn paired with a contrasting solid color, though it looks great with 2 solid colors, too. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Robyn Williams. Aran weight yarn.
Pivot Cowl
Unique reversible cowl with multidirectional construction as you pivot from a rectangle to triangle to rectangle again. Knit flat in garter stitch and shaped with short rows. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Use color-change cakes or varigated yarn to showcase the different directions. Designed by Purl Soho. DK weight yarn. Pictured projects by spargelchen and Shadoweyn.
Lara's Cowl
Oversized cowl can also be worn as a hood or shoulder warmer wrap. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Great with ombre, multi-colored yarn. Designed by Shireen Nadir. Quick knit in super bulky weight yarn. Pictured projects by HADASSADOR, Izathecat, and erato7.
Blowing Wind Infinity Cowl
Easy infinity scarf can be worn wrapped around the neck or long as a scarf. Perfect for long gradient color-change cakes. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Hanna Illuzzi.
Autopilot Cowl
This 2 row repeat cowl got its name because it's so easy that the designer says it can be knit on autopilot while traveling, watching tv, or socializing. And it doesn't need blocking! It can be adjusted in both length and width. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Dominique Trad
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Rios at Amazon
- See more 2 Row Knitting Patterns
Ombre Cowl
This stylish ribbed cowl features interwoven I-cord loops for a beautiful plaited detail. Also available as a kit. Designed by Patons UK. Worsted weight yarn.
Lila Cowl
Chevron lace striped cowl by Lux Adorna Knits. Pictured project by hadams.
Zig Zag Cowl
This cowl is knit with an 8 row slip stich pattern. DK weight yarn. Uses one skein (240 yards) of the recommended yarn. Designed by Vanessa Ewing for multicolored yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. This one is going in my queue.
Collar Cowl
This shoulder cozy has a ribbed collar for extra warmth. 3 sizes. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Universal Yarn
Soft Shoulder Cowl
This shoulder cozy cowl is knit in stockinette from the top down and bordered at the bottom with a crossed stitch. Perfect with multi-colored yarn. 2 sizes. Designed by Kris Basta – Kriskrafter, LLC. Pictured project by ohmay and yayalovestoknit
Patterns for Purchase
Dragon Wing Cowl
NO LONGER FREE! Buttoned scarf knit in garter stitch using short rows and dropped stitches that are picked up and knit in bunches to create the look of a wing. Perfect for long gradient color-change cakes, but also looks good in other multicolor and solid color yarns. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jessie Rayot. Pictured projects by EightPP and KimLantz.
Escarpment Cowl
NO LONGER FREE! Easy bandana shaped cowl is knit like a triangular shawl only in the round. Perfect for color change cake yarn or ombre yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Shireen Nadir. DK weight yarn. Pictured projects by sandra8981 and SyrahCDX.
Zuzu Cowl
Lace cowl designed to mimic the look of a draped shawl. Designer says that it is easy enough for a confident beginner and many Ravelrers rated it easy. Written for 2 gaugest - worsted and sport weight yarn. Uses 150 to 220 yards of yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer who lives in Kansas City like me!
- See more pics and get the print to order knitting pattern at Annie's
- See more pics and get the digital download knitting pattern at Loveknitting
Eyelet Infinity Scarf
An eyelet and garter ridge pattern slants diagonally across the fabric of this long loop that is wrapped twice as a cowl. Designed by Sarah Radow for multi-color yarn. One of patterns in Noro Silk Garden: The 20th Anniversary Collection
- See more pics and get Noro Silk Garden: The 20th Anniversary Collection on Amazon
- Get Noro Silk Garden Yarn on Etsy
- Get Noro Silk Garden Yarn on Amazon
Lace Infinity Loop
Lace-edged infinity scarf designed by Pam Powers.
Light of the Universe Infinity Scarf
This reversible infinity scarf cowl has lace that looks great on both sides – the same with the stitches reversed. Knit with fingering weight yarn. Designed by Katrin Klaffenböck who recommends using gradient yarn. Available in English and German
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the recommended Wollelfe Merino-Twin yarn used in this project on Etsy
Rochambeau Cowlette
Lace cowl designed to mimic the look of a draped shawl. Written for 2 gaugest - fingering and chunky (pictured) weight yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer who lives in Kansas City like me!
- See more pics and get the print to order knitting pattern at Annie's
- See more pics and get the digital download knitting pattern at Loveknitting
Easy One Row Ashley Cowl
I'm knitting this pattern now so I can testify that it's very easy. This infinity scarf cowl is knit with just one row repeated in the round with a one stitch offset so the eyelets form diagonal lines. Great for cake yarn or multicolored yarn. Designed by Patty Nance.
Easy Shoulder Shrug
Pullover shoulder cozy or cropped poncho knit flat in garter stitch and stockinette and seamed. Great with slef-striping yarn. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. Rated easy by the designer. Bulky weight. Designed by Andi Javori. Included in Casual Weekend Knits - 25 Go Anywhere Knit Projects.
See more pics and get the Casual Weekend Knits (digital download or paperback) at Leisure Arts for as low as $9.99
