Free Pattern: Giant Circular Cowl

If you’re suffering through a cold winter, you might not be quite ready to start a knitting project meant for spring days. And that’s OK. You’ve still got time to knit something warm and bulky and get a lot of use out of it before spring comes, I imagine.

If you’re casting about for a cowl to cast on, check out this giant Circle Cowl from Susi at Just Crafty Enough. Worked with bulky yarn and a thinner yarn held double, it uses an odd rib stitch on an even number of stitches, which makes the design spiral and not look like ribbing at all.

This would be a super easy knit that will get on and off the needles quickly, and its generous size (9 inches wide and 60 inches long) means you can loop it a couple of times around your neck for plenty of warmth.

[Photo via Just Crafty Enough.]

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

What makes a good beach bag? It is a bag that’s big enough to hold everything you need? A replacement for your purse that can get sandy? Something with holes for carrying your shell collection? This roundup of beach bag knitting patterns has a little bit of all of that.

If size is important to you, check out the Portside Bag from Knit And Crochet Evr Aft. This big striped bag is worked in the round with faux seams added for extra stability. The pleated sides add storage space, and I-cord handles are easy to knit, too. It calls for DK weight yarn.

There’s also the Pensacola Tote from Apple and Acorn Co, a basic striped sack that looks like a shopping bag. This one also uses DK weight yarn and you can stash bust to make stripes or keep it solid.

The Boho Beach Bag from Pickles Knits Oslo is kind of a cross between a tote bag and a purse replacement. The designer calls it a “bohemian stitch pattern” that includes elongated stitches, making it quick to knit in cotton yarn. It comes in two size options.

Add a little bit of lace to make your beach bag more sand friendly with the Salt Life Beach Bag from Laura Aylor. this pattern, available on Ravelry, calls for DK weight yarn and has a diamond lace pattern on the side panels.

For even more lace, try the Shell We Beach Bag from Knitting Tipsy (also on Ravelry). This one has a garter stitch base and allover lace shell pattern on the body. It uses worsted weight yarn and has straps that are knit separately for extra stability.

And if you’re looking for allover lace, try the Lanta bag from Paulastrickt. The tote bag shape is great for the beach or elsewhere, and it’s worked from the bottom up in the round with double knit straps. The pattern says it’s advanced but if you have a little lace experience I think this one would be fine for you.

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