Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Some Fun Scarves, Shawls and Cowls

by

I’m back with another lightning round of patterns from yarn companies that would make perfect projects for fall. This time it’s a bunch of accessories that go around the neck. Enjoy!

carves

The Zig Zag Scarf from Lion Bran Yarn is an easy but fun little project where you’re increasing and decreasing regularly to make the undulating shape. Worked in a tweed yarn, it’s a lot of fun, but it would surely be great in a solid as well.

Berroco calls the triangular Fleming a scarf, but it could also be labeled a shawlette. Either way, it has a really interesting cable and lace motif and is worked in cozy alpaca and wool yarn. Berroco’s Bal Bullier is another genre-spanning warmer, this time a wide geometric scarf worked in garter stitch with a bit of intarsia at the color changes.

Meg Meyer’s Avalanche Scarf for Classic Elite Yarns is a cozy take on a drop-stitch scarf, spacing drops between large, wide swaths of garter stitch. shawl knitting patterns

Shawls

In the “definitely a shawl” category are a couple of great season-spanning projects. Berroco’s Malemute uses three different kinds of yarn for an ethereal shawl that’s also still plenty warm.

And Josephina is a lovely three-color shawl with eyelets, stripes and a lace edging, designed by Amanda Rios in a merino and silk yarn for a little bit of shine all year long. cowl knitting patterns

Cowls

A cowl is like an easier to deal with version of a scarf, and I find myself knitting a lot more cowls than scarves lately. If you feel the same way, check out the Big Hug Cowl from Rock and Purl, which is worked in the round with a pretty easy eyelet pattern and contrasting edging.

Or try the Kendal Cowl from Tahki Stacy Charles, another quick and easy project that uses drop stitches for big effect.

See a pattern you like? I’d love to hear what you’re queuing.

For more Valentine’s Day knitting pattern roundups, check out my collection of knit hearts and heart-themed scarves.

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.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Knit a Great Button Down Shirt

Just about anything you can make in fabric you can make in knitting, but there are some styles that you just don’t see that often translated into knitting. 

For example, a button down collared shirt. This is a classic design, of course, and it looks great in a knit version, but it’s just not something you see much of. 

Noma Ndlovu’s Guglethu shirt is the pattern to try if you want to knit your own button down shirt. This one is inspired by cashmere tops (though the sample was made out of yak yarn, not cashmere, and uses two strands of lace weight yarn held together) and includes lots of high-fashion details like double-knit cuffs, collar and shoulder seams. 

It has a patch pocket on the front and 10 buttons including the button band and the cuffs. 

The designer says you can also use a DK weight yarn held singly if you’d rather, and that the shirt looks good in a variety of yarns. There is another version on Ravelry that uses Berroco Remix Light, which is a mix of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and cellulose fibers. It has a more relaxed look but it still really pretty. 

The pattern has 12 sizes, with a full bust measurement ranging from 32.35 to 72.25 inches, or 82 to 183.5 cm. The designer suggests 2 to 6 inches, or 5 to 15 cm, of positive ease when you pick your size. I could totally see knitting one that’s even bigger to wear more like a jacket, because I do that a lot with button down shirts I already own.

I love all the details on this shirt, which isn’t necessarily difficult to knit, but might introduce you to some things you’ve never knit before (like those cuffs with the plackets, or a shirt collar like this). 

To learn more about this shirt and grab a copy of the pattern for yourself, head to Ravelry. 

[Photo: Noma Ndlovu]

Add Some Texture to Your Summer Knitting

Book Review – Knit a Dozen Plus Slippers