Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Free Pattern for a Giant Seed Stitch Cowl

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seed stitch cowlThis one is an actual free pattern, but it’s as much an idea as anything. After a season of knitting for others and probably rushing through projects (that wasn’t just me, was it?), it’s time to take it slow, to knit something for ourselves and to just enjoy the process with a project that isn’t that difficult but that will wrap us in warmth for seasons to come.

Classic Elite designer Annissa George has just the thing with her Coors Cowl (download PDF at link). Worked in five colors of a bulky alpaca/bamboo blend, it’s just wide stripes of seed stitch worked in a big loop. That doesn’t mean the result isn’t pretty, just that this is easy, satisfying knitting that will take some time but also be relaxing and enjoyable. Just the thing we all need right around now.

Bonus: you might be able to make this a stash-busting project if you have enough yarns of similar weight. Or use whatever weight you have to make a big loopy cowl in whatever stitch you like. See: a great idea. Or several.

[Photo via Classic Elite Yarns.]

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

Comments

  1. I have actually made another similar scarf with bigger yarn and larger needles. I didn’t use a pattern. What I am trying to figure out is how long to make the infinity scarf. I didn’t make it with circular needles, but the other way around and it’s almost finished. How long would you make it?

  2. I would probably make it about as long as you’d make a scarf, then just sew the ends together. That way you have something you can wrap around a couple of times if you like or wear as one long loop.

  4. Thanks so much for some nice ideas. I have so much leftover yarn to use up and need to find quick ideas

Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]