How to Find Free Knitting and Crocheted Cowls and Scarf Patterns

Thursday cowl

Knitted and crocheted cowls or scarfs are always popular projects for fall and winter. This year the cowl has been redesigned to include the long cowl or infinity cowl. (find patterns at resource links below.) Cowls are so versatile, and can be used as a warm scarf and a charming hat or head covering as well. In this article you will find free patterns to knit or crochet one for yourself or as a gift. It is quick and will not burden your budget, as these scarves and cowls can be knitted with one skein of yarn.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Worsted or bulky weight yarn, 1 - 2 skeins, depending on yardage
• K/10.5 hook for crochet
• US size 7 or 4.5mm circular needles for knit cowl
• NOTE: unless a pattern calls for a specific needle or hook, gauge isn't really important when knitting or crocheting a cowl or scarf, use yarn label as guide
• Either two lesser gauge yarns or one worsted to equal gauge set by knitting pattern

1. Crocheted Easy Cowl:

   Base Chain Loosely ch 55, join with slip st in 1st ch.
   Round 1: Ch 1, single crochet around and join. (55 sc)
   Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *dc in next sc; rep from * around, join to 2nd ch of beg ch 2 with sl st. (55 dc)
   Round 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st dc, *sc in next dc; rep from * around, join to first sc with sl st. (55 sc)
   Rounds 4-11: Repeat rows 2 and 3. If you'd like a wider cowl, repeat rows 2 and 3, ending on row 3.
   To finish, weave loose ends.
   This pattern is by Melissa Mall and can be found along with other free patterns on crochetuncut.com, link below.

2. sockmonkey photo Thursday Cowl

   Knitted Cowl:

   The Thursday Cowl pattern by Christabel Seneque requires 122 yards of worsted yarn. You begin by casting on 112 stitches on a US size 7 or 4.5mm 24" circular needle, using the long-tail method. This free pattern can be found on Christabel's blog below in the resource list.

3. Silk Garden Lite cowl

   Knitted Stripe Cowl - Silk Garden Lite by Kourtney Robinson:

   This lovely cowl scarf is made in stripes, can be used to cover your head instead of a hat, lovely soft and feminine. It is knit with two colors of yarn in Noro Silk Garden on a 16" US Size 7 or 4.5mm circular needle. You begin by casting on CO 108 st. The free scarf pattern can be found at the Dollybird Workshop at the link below.

4. More crocheted and knitted scarf and infinity (long) or some call "tube scarf" cowl patterns can be found on Ravelry.com for free. Please find the link below. Ravelry membership is free and you will find many free patterns for any project you are contemplating: hat, mittens, sweater, blanket, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Get tips for longtail cast on at the resource below. It will make your edging nice and stretchy.

• If you want to knit or crochet these lovely scarves and cowls, but maybe not right now, don't waste any time downloading and saving them. Patterns can be removed at any time.

• Because these cowls are knit in the round, be careful not to twist your stitches when joining.

Resources

• Simple Speedy Cowl
• Thursday Cowl free pattern
• DollyBirdWorkshop
• Long Tail Cast on
• More free scarf and cowl patterns
• Soft & Easy Infinity cowl patterns
• Ravelry