Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

And Speaking of Cowls

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Cowls to knit for the holidays and beyond.Thanks for the amazing response to my yarn giveaway (if you haven’t entered yet it’s open through Sunday). I’m taking this positive reaction to mean both that you love free yarn and that you love cowls, which a lot of people have been saying.

So it seems the right time to share this post of a dozen cowl patterns (includes knit and crochet) from Red Heart.

I like the Once Around Cowl, pictured here, which has a cute cable pattern that just looks soft and squishy and warm. The Chunky Colorful Cowl is a super easy one if you need to mass produce a holiday gift. And even though it’s crochet, the Color Block Cowl might give you an interesting idea for a knit project (this one also uses reflective yarn, which is pretty cool).

Do you have a favorite cowl pattern? I’m working on a bunch for holiday gifts (have done a bulky one in moss stitch and am working on a color blocked feather and fan one right now) so I’d love some more suggestions!

[Photo via Red Heart.]

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.