Free knitting patterns for hooded cowls, hooded scarves, bonnets, balaclavas, and other hoods. Updated 2/23/26
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
Sno Cap Hood
Bonnet hooded scarf knit in brioche starting with one scarf end then using increases and decreases to shape the hood, and finished with the the second scarf. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by little quail handcraft.
Sagebrush Balaclava
Hooded cowl with ribbing around face and neck. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Amy Gunderson.
Women's Knit Bonnet
Hood knit flat with knit ties. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Gina Michele.
Fish Balaclava
Ocean inspired hood covered in colorwork fish and rolling waves. Colorwork section is knit flat with ribbing around the collar and face. Designed by Emma Manos. DK weight yarn.
Rust and Rhythm Bonnet
Midcentury modern inspired hooded scarf knit with colorful graphical shapes on 2-row repeat garter stitch rib. 2 sizes. Designed by Anna Husemann. Great stash buster for Fingering weight yarn.
Springtime Hooded Cowl
Lace shoulder cozy that can be pulled up as a hood knit in the round with eyelet flowers. Easy knit with no shaping so it's a great project for those trying knitting in the round. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Beaumont.
Sisterhood Scarf
Easy striped hooded scarf knit flat with a 4 row 2 color repeat. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Sandra Snellman.
Tasseled Hooded Cowl
Quick hood knit with a two color design in with reverse stockinette bands and a stranded arrow design. Several knitters knit it without the colorwork and I think it looks good that way too. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Margery Winter.
More Free Patterns
Bow-Scarf
Shoulder cozy that can be worn as a hooded cowl as well knit flat with garter stitch as a scarf that is joined with knit bow. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Easy Hooded Scarf
Hood with long scarf ties knit flat. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Split Neck Cowl
Cowl with decorative band that can be pulled over the head to be worn as a hood. Easy tv knitting with no counting and no purling. Good first knit in the round project. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Michele Costa. Web version is free.
Candi's Checked Cowl
Easy quick hood or cowl knit with textured checkerboard pattern. Quick knit with two strands of Aran weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Edith Convertible Cowl
Easy hood or shoulder cozy knit in the round with mostly knit stitches. Knit an i-cord and thread through edge for a pretty frame for the face or neck. The designer assumes you know how to knit an i-cord so I've included a link to a tutorial if you don't know. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Nina Rose Abbonizio. Available in English and Portuguese
Woven Hood
You know I love basketweave! This hood is knit flat in one piece with a chunky basketweave with a i-cord edge knit as you go. DK or Aran weight yarn. Weaved nest designed by Sílvia Silva. Available in English and Portuguese
Chunky Braided Cowl
May only be free for a limited time. Hood or cowl knit flat with two large braided cabes and seamed together. Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Nicole ThorsonKnits.
MidWinter Wanderer
Hooded shoulder cozy cowl with cabled diamonds down the back. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Teresa Gregorio. Pictured project by Tessas who changed the bottom border to rib instead of garter stitch.
Patterns for Purchase
Inland Sea Winter Bonnet
Warm and romantic hooded scarf knit with textured Half Fisherman’s Rib. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by ModernVintageKnitsCo
Sadie Snuggle Snood
Cabled scarf with hood knit with diamonds framed with cables. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Mipi the Label
Hattara Hood
Combination of a hood and a balaclava that starts as a ribbed cowl and then shapes into a hood. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Paula Narkiniemi
Snow Caps Hood
Hooded cowl with textured outer hood with drawstring closure and cowl inside that can be pulled over the face for extra warmth. DK weight yarn. Designed by MadeByDevrie
Garland Hood
Knitted hood and cowl with a lace border knit flat. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by ModernVintageKnitsCo
