Free knitting patterns for shoulder warmer cowls and shoulder cozies that can be worn around the neck or down around the shoulders. Updated 1/29/24
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Free Patterns
Ombre My Way Cowl
Two color shoulder cowl with zigzag stripes knit flat in a 4 row repeat and seamed. Knit with ombre yarn and constrasting solid creates a striking look. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sian Price-White.
Ribbed Lace Cowl
Lace cowl with ribbed edge that creates a versatile accessory that can be worn around the neck or shoulders several ways. Lace is a 4 round repeat. Uses one skein of the recommended Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Shannon Dunbabin.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade 220 Superwash Grande yarn
Weybosset Cowl
Shoulder cozy cowl that plays with a grid check pattern in mesh and slip stitch stripes. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Pam Sluter.
Arrow Loop Cowl
Arrow lace infinity scarf that can be worn around the neck, over the shoulders, or down like a scarf. Knit in the round with a 4 round repeat. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Andee Fagan.
Rushing River Cowl
Inspired by river rapids and foaming white water, this shoulder warmer features rippled lace and textures in blue and white. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Paula King.
Frimas Cowl
Shoulder cozy with three sections for interest including a top section of bobbles, an easy colorwork section of arrows, and a cable texture. 4 sizes. DK weight yarn. Designed by Zélie Plancke.
Victory Cowl
Reversible cable shoulder warmer cozy knit with a 14 round repeat that stretches around the shoulders but stays cozy around the neck. DK weight yarn. Designed by Kate Atherley for Yarnalia.
Friday Shrug Cowl
Use your leftover sock yarn to create this easy shoulder warmer cozy knit with a one round repeat. Designed for nine colors of Fingering weight yarn, it's perfect for stash busting or mini skeins. Designed by Jackie Rose.
Shoulder Cozy
Shoulder warmer cowl knit with a 12 row repeat fan lace stitch with a cowl neck for warmth. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky yarn
Flurry of Leaves Cowl
Lace shoulder cowl knit flat in a 16 row repeat leaf or diamond lace and can be worn in a variety of ways. Uses one ball of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sian Price-White.
More Free Patterns
Mavis Cowl
This versatile shoulder cowl features mirrored cables and double seed stitch texture with a tapered fit. Instructions for both a short version and tall version (pictured) included. Wear around shoulders or neck. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Melissa Thomson.
Melilla Cowl
Colorful striped shoulder warmer cowl knit flat in self-striping and constrasting solid yarns, although I think you could also use it for stash busting. Wear around shoulders or neck. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Brian Smith.
Fall's Lover Cowl
Versatile shoulder warmer cowl that can be worn a variety of ways, even as a top. Knit with a 4 round repeat of stretchy eyelet rib. DK weight yarn. Designed by Bonnie Nurnberger.
Lumi Neckwarmer
Shoulder warmer cowl with stranded diamond design topped wih cozy turtleneck. Sizes 32/34 inches to 44/46 inches / 81/86cm to 112/117cm. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Yarnsmiths.
Alakant Cowl
Elegant shoulder neck warmer with lace border and turtle neck with decorative buttons for looks only. Also great for steampunk or historical costumes. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Maria Edblom Tauson. Available in English and Swedish
Phoebe Yoke
Colorful shoulder cowl with turtleneck and stranded colorwork yoke featuring arrow designs. A great way to experiment with top down colorwork without committing to a full sweater. Designed for 6 colors, it's perfect for mini skeins or stash busting. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Lisa R. Myers.
Cable Shoulder Cowl
Cabled shoulder cozy or neck cowl with central cable panel knit flat and border knit on. Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. "I shall call him Squishy" (from Finding Nemo) designed by Sian Price-White.
Go Big Cowl
Easy shoulder cowl knit flat in garter stitch and shaped with simple short rows. Wear down over your shoulders as a shoulder warmer capelet or around your neck. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Alicia Vause.
Shoulder Warmer Cowl
Easy beginner shoulder cozy cowl knit flat with a 1 row repeat and then seamed. Great project for beginners. Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. F924 Viento Shoulder Warmer Cowl designed by Helen Gallagher for Plymouth Yarn.
Beginner Ribbed Striped Cowl
Great first knitting in the round project for beginners! This cowl shoulder cozy is knit with a 1 round repeat rib with 2 rounds of each color or colorway. Knit in a tube with no decreasing or increasing. Using self striping yarn such as the recommended yarn makes the color changes easy. However, you can also use it for stashbusting with leftover yarn. Perfect for beginners according to designer. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Caron.
Patterns for Purchase
Colorshift Cowl
Shoulder warmer with subtle shifts in color achieved by knitting with multiple strands held together as one. Colorshift can be worn as a cowl, as a hood, or as a capelet . DK weight yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer.
Vespertine Cowl
Shoulder Warmer Cowl features cables and bobbles inspired by vining moonflowers are knit in lofty, super bulky weight wool and bordered in twisted ribbing. DK weight yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer.
Capra Shoulder Cowl
Braided Cable Shoulder Warmer and Cowl has 3 stylish options: a roll-over collar style, a neckwarmer, and a slouch style. Easy to read charts and line by line written instructions are included. DK weight yarn. Designed by Jenny Williams for daydreamerknits.
Ribbed Hugger Cowl
Easy versatile wrap that can be worn many ways knit in garter stitch and suitable for a beginner according to the designer. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn Designed by CharmedFibers
Harmonia's Rings Cowl
Shoulder cozy with a moebius spiral shape and a self-pleating stitch pattern that adds to the warmth and coziness of this graceful garment. The cowl can be stretched over most of the head like a hood. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Sivia Harding.
Lace Meara Shoulder Wrap Cowl
Lace Meara can be a cowl, shoulder wrap or infinity scarf. This design features intriguing lace in DK weight yarn on larger needles. The lace has an easy to memorize stitch. Designed by Monika Sirna.
