Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Some Fun Scarves, Shawls and Cowls

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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.

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]