Fast, fun, fabulous — cowls are the perfect way to try out a great new yarn or new technique. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 12/5/22
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.
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
Field at Dawn Cowl
Lace cowl knit in the round with a 12 row repeat. Uses one skein 219 yards (200 m) of the recommended Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Wiam's Crafts.
Thermal Cowl
Cowl knit with 8 row repeat honeycomb cable stitch. Large enough to wrap twice around the neck. Quick knit in 2 skeins of bulky yarn. Designed by Jen Geigley for Purl Soho.
A Noble Cowl
Drapey lace cowl with a shield or leaf shape surrounded with openwork. DK weight yarn. Designed by Emily Kausalik-Whittle. Pictured project by neelo and navywifeknitter
Rippling Fans Cowl
Lace cowl designed for multi-colored yarn but also works with solid colors. Uses just one skein of the recommended yarn (440 yards). Fingering weight yarn. One of the free patterns in the free ebook 7 Free Knitted Cowl Patterns. Designed by Gladys We.
- Get the free ebook 7 Free Knitted Cowl Patterns from Interweave
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Sock on Amazon
Willowwork Cowl
Worked in the round from the bottom up, this striking cowl combines ribbing, twisted stitches, and stranded colorwork. Designed by Amy Gunderson for Universal Design. Aran weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash yarn
Roulette Chic Cowl
This long colorful cowl features a diamond stitch pattern. The cowl is 50″ long and pictured wrapped around the neck but you could also wear it unwrapped as an infinity scarf, I think. Designed by Marly Bird for Red Heart.
Trifasic Cowl
Squishy cowl knit in 3 sections: ribbing, 2-color brioche and lace. Designed by Jennifer Callahan.
Easy Charming Cowl
This easy lace cowl is knit with a 2-row repeat seed stitch followed by a 1-row repeat lace stitch. Designed by Mareva Lynde for Red Heart.
More Free Patterns
Cable and Garter Cowl
Designed by Louise FitzBirch Crafts, this cowl is simple to knit but makes a unique statement. The pattern is designed for super bulky yarn (or 3 strands of worsted together). Scroll down the blog post to get to the cowl pattern at the bottom of the post.
Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive
Glacier Cowl
Jo Strong designed this cowl with alternating panels of diamond (checkerboard) lace mesh and garter stitch. She recommends two lace weight yarn strands knit together or fingering weight yarn. Pictured project by Jo Strong
Get the free pattern at Ravelry
Esquina Cowl
Lisa R. Myers designed this mitered cowl to avoid striping or pooling of multiculor yarn. Features eyelet lace for interest. Made for multi-colored yarn!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Multi-Colored Yarn Knitting Patterns
- See more Mitered Knitting Patterns
Dragon’s Breath Cowl
Lace cowl designed by Nim Teasdale with optional beading. The colors are inspired after the last heat of summer.
Jeweled Cowl
Designed by Sachiko Uemura, this lovely beaded lace cowl is knit in the round. See the project pictured above, Caribbean Jewel by BeenyKnits
Get the designer recommended yarn on Etsy
Get the yarn used for BeenyKnits’ project pictured above
Gray 3-Strand Cowl with Fringe
Designed by Louis Chicquette for super bulky yarn and size 35 needles!
Floral Double Knit Cowl
Fitzbirch Crafts was inspired by her love of spodeware to design this lovely reversible cowl. The cowl can be made smaller by leaving out one repeat of the pattern. As a fan of blue and white patterns myself, I love it!
Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
The designer recommends using a yarn thimble to hold the yarn strands. It’s an ingenious design!
Ribbed Annabelle Cowl
Designed by Sea of Knits, this leaf pattern cowl is designed in rib so the leaves won’t curl.
Icordion Cowl
Fitzbirch Crafts designed this nicely draping cowl decorated with icords.
Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
Phoenix Cowl and Hat
This matching cowl and hat designed by DROPS Design are perfect for multi-colored yarn. Knit in English rib.
Cariad Cowl and Mitts
Designed by Kydel, this cowl is super easy for beginners and can be worn many different ways to match your mood or the weather.
Patterns for Purchase
Mendia Cowl
Easy cowl features an eyelet edging with twisted ribbing merging into a fun twisted eyelet chevron pattern. Designed by Ambah O’Brien. Pictured project by Tatterz
Vinco Lace Flower Cowl
Lace infinity scarf / scowl by Wearable Art Emporium uses just two skeins of the recommended yarn.
Vite Cowl
No longer free! Designed by Kristi Johnson, this is a one-skein project knit in super bulky yarn. The leaf lacy motif reflects the name Vite (grapevine in Italian).
Get the designer recommended yarn on Etsy
Zhivago Cowl
Inspired by the outerwear in the film Dr. Zhivago, this pattern is unique but easy to knit. This hat and cowl combo will fit an average adult head size of 20 – 23 inches.
Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
Brooklyn Cowl
This beautiful cowl with a bow knits quickly with bulky yarn.
Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
Beau Cowl
This exquisite cowl is 50″ in circumference and 10″ wide.
Shawl Collared Cowl
A cozy, button-up cowl in chunky yarn.
Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
Tellot Cowl
Light as a lace cloud cowl!
Get the knitting pattern at Annie’s
Dewberry Cowl
Dewberry utilizes purled stripes and the simplest of lace patterns to give it texture and interest. It comes in two sizes and can also easily be enlarged by using a heavier weight of yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Hilary Smith Callis. Uses one skein 200 - 255 yards (183 - 233 m) of Aran weight yarn.
Ravenna Cowl
Much simpler than it looks! A simple slip-stitch pattern — working only one color in each round — combined with a simple cable creates a dramatic cowl.
