Whatever season you're in, there's a cowl for that! From warm weather shoulder cozies and collars to cold weather neckwarmers, dress up any outfit with cowl couture! Many of the patterns are free. Updated 4/20/26
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
Saturday Shrug
Super easy shoulder cozy cowl knit in the round with a one round repeat rib and stripes you can customize. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Jackie Rose.
Bookbinder's Cowl
Cowl knit with slipped stitch stripes in a 6 round repeat. DK weight yarn. Designed by Tori Gurbisz Chapel.
Reversible Cowl
Easy cowl knit with a welted rib alternating variegated and solid yarns and secured with an optional cuff. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Fairisle Rona.
Cleo Cowl
Simple cowl knit with brioche rib in an 2 round repeat that shows off the colors of variegated yarn. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team.
Ripples and Ridges Cowl
Easy cowl knit with waves of garter stitch in an 8 round repeat. Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Mon Petit Violon.
Neck Allrounder
This is a great showcase for variegated sock yarn! Easy cowl knit in the round alternating rib and garter stitch. I think this would be a wonderful first circular knitting project. Knit with two strands of Fingering weight yarn held together. Designed by eigene Schult. Available in English and German
Just Tone It Cowl
Easy cowl knit flat in two colors with an 8 row repeat slipped stitch pattern. Use a self-striping yarn with a solid color for extra color dimension. DK weight yarn. Designed by Susan Ashcroft. Pictured project by Summerberrycrafts
Super Moon Cowl
Versatile buttoned neckwarmer with statement cable framed with seed stitch. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Ursalia Fibres Studio.
More Free Patterns
Greenland Cowl
Cozy cowl knit with cables. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Kyla Zoran.
Mosaic Dot Cowl
Versatile project for many yarn weights! This would make an easy first slipped stitch mosaic project. The cowl is knit flat with a 4 row repeat, switching colors halfway through, and then seamed. Prefer a scarf? Just don't seam at the end. Instructions are included for Fingering through Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Emily Bolduan.
Firn Cowl
Inspired by crystallized snow, this bandana style cowl features a diamond lace pattern. Designed by Valentina Cosciani. Available in English and Italian
Ithaca Cowl
Odyssey inspired cowl with motifs from the Odysseus's voyage including a ship's wheel, Poseidon's trident, a lotus flower, cyclops eye, and many more. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Audrey Borrego.
Claudine Cowl
Collar to dress up a sweater and other outfits knit with lace that creates a naturally scallopped edge. Designed by Claudine Guerin. Fingering weight yarn. Available in English and French
Big Zig Loop
Versatile infinity scarf cowl that can be worn in variety of ways. Knit with zigzag stripes in variety of widths. Designed by Sian Price-White. Fingering weight yarn.
Edenvale Cowl
Reversible one skein cowl knit with a leafy lace in an 8 round repeat. Looks great on both sides. Uses on skein of Aran weight yarn. Designed by neish design.
Parula Cowl
Honeycomb cowl knit in three colors with slipped stitched diamond lattice. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Kelene Kinnersly. Pictured project by punkyspice
Patterns for Purchase
Ribbed Cowl
Shoulder cozy cowl knit with ribbing and it looks like it has a twist. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Mary Maxim.
Layer Cake Cowl
Stash buster cowl with each section using just 2.5 grams of Fingering weight yarn. Each stripe is bordered by a fun fan stitch. Two sizes. Designed by Jennifer Owens.
Easy Squirrel Cowl
This unique cowl is easier than it looks. Simple increases and decreases form the textured spikes. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Jen Giezen.
Moleery-Tea Cowl
Named for Scots word for yarrow, this is a bandana style cowl knit with a mosaic body and bordered with lace. The pattern is fully written and charted. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Liz Corke.
Marigold Twist Cowl
One skein cowl that combines soft cables with delicate lace. Uses one skein DK/Sport weight yarn. Designed by Kasia's Knits.
Autumn Fade Cowl
I love the way the simple colorwork of this cowl brings out the colors of variegated yarn in a striking way. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Kasia's Knits.
