These knitting patterns feature strong color pops against neutral outlines, silhouettes or gridwork, reminiscent of stained glass windows, sunset photos, and more. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 4/24/23
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.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Free Patterns
Differential Cowl
Striking cowl knit with stranded colorwork in various geometric patterns. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amy Gunderson for Universal Yarn.
Neapolitan Mitts
Fingerless mitts in 3 colors with stranded colorwork for transitions between colors. 3 sizes. Designed by Tracy Hill
Black Light Cowl
Chevron patterned cowl knit in mosaic slip stitch colorwork in 2 colors with a variegated yarn and contrasting solid. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Shaina Bilow.
Nordic Pop Mitts
Black and white fair isle pattern gets a pop of color. Worsted yarn. Designed by Ann Weaver for Red Heart.
Pembroke Street Cowl
Stunning reversible cowl knit in 2 colors. Great for learning or practicing stranded knitting. Knit in light colors for spring and summer! DK, Worsted, or Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Holli Adams Samet.
Fenton's Arrow Cowl
Fair Isle cowl knit in the round from the bottom up. Flanked by corrugated ribbing, this cowl’s palette uses two ombré yarns to create contrasting gradients. Worsted yarn. Designed by Tanis Gray for Knitty.
Basalt Hat
Beanie with a simple stranded colorwork pattern inspired by the shapes of basalt rock formations. The hat would work in a solid and a gradient yarn as shown here, or in two solid contrast colors. Sizes Child, Adult, Large Adult. Fingering yarn. Designed by Torya Winters for Knotions.
Villiviini Socks
Cuff down socks with a striking lace panel knit with intarsia in the round. 3 sizes. Fingering yarn. Designed by Tiina Kuu. Available in English, Finnish, and French
Brioche Cable Cowl
This reversible cowl features a brilliant contrast between variegated yarn and a neutral black or gray. Worsted yarn. Designed by Vanessa Ewing for Plymouth yarn. This pattern was featured in Season 8 of Knit and Crochet Now! and is free with registration at Annie’s
More Free Patterns
Pipevine Cowl
This infinity scarf alternates rows of stockinette with a simple two-row lace pattern in ribbons of color. Designed by Joanna Cosgrove
Brighten My Day Shawl
Triangular shawl knit side to side in garter stitch alternates a self-striping yarn with contrasting color like black for a striking effect. Rated easy by Red Heart. Designed by Nancy J. Thomas
Nymphalidea
Melinda VerMeer designed this shawl to be knit with contrasting colors to resemble the wings of a butterfly. Because this is cast on with few stitches and expands, it easily can be adapted to different yarns or sizes. Pictured project by Landers.
- Get the original free knitting pattern
- Purchase an updated version with photo tutorial on Ravelry
- See the pictured project
Sista Claudia Cowl
Stranded cowl with a geometric pattern in neutral and contrasting gradient yarns. Designed by Claudia Eisenkolb. Available in English and German. Pictured project by bex_inreallife
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the Manos del Uruguay Alegría yarn used in the pictured project
- See more Colorful Cowl Knitting Patterns
Escape Reality Socks
Socks knit with a stranded colorwork coca leaf motif on a striped background of mini skeins, scrap yarn, or a gradient yarn. Sizes Child (Adult M, Adult L). Fingering yarn. Designed by Lisa K. Ross for Knitty.
Hiking Reindeer Cowl
This colorful cowl depicts a landscape of conifers silhouetted against a fiery sunset inspired by designer’s view on the way home in the Oxfordshire countryside. Fingering yarn. Designed by TheTwistedYarn
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the Stylecraft Head Over Heels yarn (Etna colorway) used in the cowl
- See more North Woods Knitting Patterns
Mitres in Motion Throw or Shawl
Simple decreases create the squares. The patchwork technique of adding squares as you go is done by picking up stitches along one side of the square to begin the next one. Each Square: 71/4inches x 71/4inches. Finished Dimensions of Shawl/Throw: 60inches x 30 inches.
Horizon Brioche Cowl
The combination of solid and multi-color yarn adds extra dimenion to this Brioche stitch cowl by Julie Hines.
Royal Quilting Hat
Betty P Balcomb’s 2-color pattern is surprisingly easy. Strands or floats are laid down on the right side of the fabric and then a couple rows later you lift the strand and catch it in a stitch to form the slightly draped diagonal lines.
Cirrus Cardigan
Long-sleeved raglan sweater with double knit shawl collar and front bands. DK yarn. Designed by Dagmar Lutz. Available in English and German
Snow Valley Hat
Easy hat in two colors with easy slip stitch colorwork and corrugated ribbing. Designed by Anne Gagnon
Patterns for Purchase
Hexed! Shawl
Hexed! is a textured asymmetrical triangle shawl showcasing an evolving hexagon pattern that is engaging (but not hard) to knit. Hexed! is a quick knit composed of only knit, purl, and slipped stitches and is worked bottom up with increases occurring at the edges. This pattern is for advanced beginners; written instructions are used throughout. Designed by Rose Beck. Pictured projects by alabastercrafting and fascine. Sport weight yarn.
Thunder Ridge Throw
This blanket combines colorful yarn with a contrasting solid using a mosaic slip stitch zigzag and stripe pattern. If crazy yarn isn’t your thing, it can be made with as few as 2 colors and is great for using up leftovers. Size is easily adjusted by changing your cast-on number and/or number of pattern repeats. Designed by Laura Aylor. Worsted weight yarn.
Mithian Infinity Scarf Cowl
A lightweight, lace cowl with sections of colored lace separated by a contrasting color. Designed by handmade by CamelotDyeworksLLC. Fingering weight yarn.
See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
Dovetail Shawl
Mosaic knit wrap knit with easy slip stitch colorwork in 2 colorways. The size is easily adjustable to the yardage available, making it simple to knit a scarf, a shawl, any size desired. This pattern contains both charts and written instruction for the colorwork. Designed by Judy Marples. Sport weight yarn.
Frosted Panes Hat and Fingerless Mitts
This eye-catching stranded knitting set pairs a solid and variegated yarn together, in a diamond windowpane and corrugated ribbing design, to create the look of stained glass. Designed by Karen Heimburger. Worsted weight yarn.
Half-Tone Cowl
Stranded colorwork cowl with contrasting graphic pattern inspired by photo half-tones. Three different edging options: garter stitch, tubular rib, and icord. DK or worsted weight yarn. Designed by handmade by SMINÉ
See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
Rosie Accessory Set
Despite its appearance, this matching set with neck warmer, wristers and beanie is knitted with only 2 strands of yarn: a solid main solid color and a contrast variegated color, in a pretty rose/heart fair isle pattern, plus a simple picot edging for a feminine touch on the neck warmer and wristers.
See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Annie’s
Pysanky Cowl and Mittens Set
Colorful accessories inspired by the tradition of Eastern European pysanky (Easter eggs)
