Free Cowl Patterns

In this post, you will see a collection of free cowl patterns.

What could be cozier than wearing a hand-knit cowl during a chilled autumn/winter walk?

Winter is the perfect time to make and wear your knits, from cowls, hats, and gloves to sweaters and cardigans.

More Patterns

There are also many great oversized sweater knitting patterns – take a look at this post and find something you can make for fall. – 8+ Stylish Ideas For Your Fall Oversized Knits

Plus many scarf knitting patterns that are perfect for fall and winter. – 30 Free Scarf Knitting Patterns To Make In 2023

*Don’t forget to pin and share!*

Free Cowl Patterns

I always get ready to knit during the fall and winter, with many projects on the go.

Cowl knitting patterns are often easy and really great for beginners to practice their skills, they can also make great last-minute gifts.

They can also allow you to use a variety of yarn weights depending on your preferences.

Grab your knitting needles and take a look at the roundup of free cowl patterns below and feel inspired to make one of your own.

1. Hooded Cowl Free Knitting Pattern

Make a cozy hooded cowl with this free cowl knitting pattern from Make Do and Crew. 

It’s a great project for an advanced beginner who wants to practice working in the round with double-pointed needles.

Lion Brand has created a kit that includes all the yarn you need (two skeins) to make this knit hooded cowl as well as a copy of the printable pattern. 

2. Chevron Lace Striped Cowl Pattern

Make a chevron lace striped cowl with this free knit cowl pattern from Lux Adorna Knits. 

This cozy cowl is worked in the round when changing colors in your stripe work, you can tie on your new color, knot it, and leave it on the inside of your work, which means there are no ends to seam in!

This pattern includes instructions for Advanced Beginner and Intermediate (knit in worsted weight yarn).

*This is available as a free PDF on Ravelry.

3. Cable Cowl Pattern

Make a cozy cable infinity scarf with this free pattern from Purl Soho.

Made with one of their yummy yarns, the incredibly soft bulky weight yarn Lanecardate Feltro (a wool-merino blend).

It’s one of those knitting projects that can be made quickly when you need something warm and toasty for yourself or to give to someone you love.

4. Twisted Cowl Pattern

Make a twisted cowl with this free pattern from Patons.

This is a plush cowl with a fun twist – knit in Patons Classic Wool Roving.

A great pattern for intermediate knitters because the knit stitches are used to create a chunky fisherman’s rib.

5. Crabapple Cowl Pattern

Make this crabapple cowl with a free pattern from Noble Knits. 

Knit this easy wide ribbed cowl that uses one skein of hand-dyed Crabapple Posh Fingering yarn (this is knit using fingering weight yarns).

It’s long enough to wear loose or doubled around the neck.

6. Ribbed Cowl Pattern

Make this easy ribbed cowl for men or women with this free pattern from me!

Yes, from Handy Little Me get the free pattern here – Free Men’s Hat Knitting Pattern

If you want to make something for your man that he will love this winter…then make him a knitted bobble hat and matching cowl.

Simple to make in an easy ribbed stitch pattern, this free cowl pattern will knit up in a few hours.

You need around 6 skeins of yarn to make both.

7. Easy Knit Cowl Pattern

Make this easy garter stitch cowl with a free pattern from The Knitting Bee.

This cowl has been made using 5 x 100g balls of Moda Vera Shiver.

Skill Level – Easy.

*Update 2022 – This pattern is no longer available online.

8. Cowl Knitting Pattern

Make this stunning fall cowl with a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarns. 

The cowl has been made using Lion Brand Heartland (medium yarn weight).

Skill Level – Easy.

This cowl would make a great gift idea.

9. Openwork Cowl Pattern

Make this openwork cowl with a free pattern from Bernat. 

This bulky cowl has a gorgeous texture, that looks hard but is actually easy to work!

Knit in Bernat Wool-Up Bulky yarn, this pattern works up quickly and makes the perfect fall and winter accessory.

Skill Level – Easy

10. Colour Work Cowl Pattern

Make this color work cowl with a free pattern from Graphica on Ravelry. 

The Inspira Cowl is worked in the round on circular needles.

Corrugated ribbing is used, where two different colored yarns are stranded across each round.

The ribbing height varies throughout for each of the three color cowl options.

After two plain knit rows, the corrugated ribbing pattern shifts, or is staggered, i.e., previous knit columns become purl columns.

This graphic shift of color & texture is what gives Inspira its dynamic flow.

Skill Level – Intermediate

*This pattern is available as a free PDF*