These free knitting patterns for lightweight and lacy cowls are perfect for warmer weather add a fashion accent to an outfit or a bit of warmth on cool evenings. Or knit in a warmer yarn for cold seasons. Updated 9/8/24
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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
Oyster Cowl
Lace infinity scarf cowl knit with arched and curved lace that looks like shells in a 10 row repeat. Written instructions and chart. Uses just one skein of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Helen Cosgrove-Davies.
Peachy Perfect Cowl
This cowl is knit with simple lace sections and a stockinette striped section with contrasting stripes between sections. Designed for 5 colors, it's perfect for stash busting or mini skeins. Designed by Debbie Ford.
Infinity Wrap
This versatile lace wrap can be worn as shoulder warmer, a shrug, neckwarmer cowl, or snood. It doesn’t weigh much, so you can always put in a bag just in case you feel cold in the evening. Designed by conceptcreativeblog.
Leaf Lace Cowl
The Lacy Linen Snood is knit with leaf lace in one skein of the recommended yarn (219 yards). DK weight yarn. Designed by Sara Thornett for Rowan.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Rowan Creative Linen yarn at Loveknitting
- See more Leaf Lace Knitting Patterns
2 Row Repeat Port Isabel Cowl
This light lacey cowl is knit in a 2 row repeat lace pattern. Designed by Fancy Tiger Crafts.
Rose Tree Cowl
The floral lace pattern is one repeat of 28 rows over 12 stitches. A border of eyelets at the top can be threaded with ribbon or i-cord to use as as drawstring or embellishment. Length is easily customized. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Diane Edgerly
Angels Landing Cowl
This versatile lace accessory can be worn around the neck as accent scarf or slippped over the shoulders as a wrap. Waves of wandering eyelet lace frame delicate columns of mock cable. Knit flat and seamed. Use a larger needle for an airy drape or smaller needle for coziness. Designed by Alegria DaSilva
More Free Patterns
Gossypium Cowl
Versatile infinity scarf knit in a 4 row repeat lace pattern. Knit in cotton yarn for a perfect summer accessory. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jenn Kinzel Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Pictured project by Evamarie who knit a longer cowl in DK.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Blue Sky Fibers Worsted Cotton yarn at Loveknitting (34 shades)
Woodland Violet Cowl
Chevron lace neckwarmer worked in loose gauge to drape and fastened with a button. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Used just one skein (250 yards) of the recommended yarn. Great with variegated yarn! Designed by Carly Stipe. Worsted weight yarn.
Tilting Block Cowl
Versatile reversible infinity scarf can be worn over the shoulders or wrapped around the neck. Knit in a 16 stitch 16 round repeat lace pattern. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio. Rated easy by Ravelrers.
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
Liza Rose Cowl
Romantic cowl with wavy lace and ribbons. 3 sizes S(14”), M (15”), L (17”). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Erica Jackofsky (Fiddle Knits)
Asotin Cowl
Striking lacy cowl knit with a combination of basic cabling and drop stitches that showcases multi-colored and hand dyed yarn. 2 sizes but easily customizable. Lace weight yarn. Designed by Sheila Toy Stromberg
Lily Cowl
Lace infinity scarf worked a 6 row repeat in the round. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Izznit Knits. Pictured projects by cocobrownie99 and the designer
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
Elis Cowl
This cowl is knit with the Indian Cross Stitch and easily adapted to longer or wider styles. Designed by Reiko Kuwamura. Pictured project by knittily
Patterns for Purchase
Travelling Path Cowl
Cowl in the round with instructions for three sizes which can easily be adjusted for different sizes. Uses 1 skein of fingering sock weight yarn. 3 sizes - Medium single loop, small double loop and medium double loop. Designed by Kristen Jancuk. Fingering weight yarn.
Spring Lace Infinity Scarf
No longer free. Lace cowl with 5 row repeat lace edging and body with dropped stitches and stockinette. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Linda Thach for Purl Avenue. Pictured project by Gikasha.
Smalltimore Cowl
Honeycomb lace cowlette can be won around the neck or down around the shoulders as a capelet. The pattern includes both charts and written instructions. The lace repeat is short and easy to memorize. Sized for children but I think could easily be adjusted to adult sizes. Sizes: S/M (M/L); approximate finished dimensions 11 ½ (14 ½)”/29 (37) cm deep and 34 (38)”/86 ½ (96 ½) cm circumference at the widest part. To fit girls approximately 4-7 (8-12) yrs old. Designed by Kristen Jancuk. Fingering weight yarn.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Loveknitting
- See more Knitting Patterns by Kristen Jancuk
Orangerie Cowl
This exquisite cowl is worked in an all-over pattern of interlacing lace stitches. The lightweight yarn and the openness of the lace give the cowl an airy and delicate quality. Designed by Skeinwalker Knits. Fingering weight yarn.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Loveknitting
- See more Knitting Patterns by Skeinwalker
Beau Cowl
This exquisite cowl is 50″ in circumference and 10″ wide.
