The Outlander cowl knitting pattern will allow you to create a large cozy knitted cowl in the style of Claire.
You will have seen this cowl/scarf that Claire wears in season 1, episode 3 ‘The way out’.
There are two versions of the pattern – knit on different size needles.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.
This pattern is part of my Outlander collection, you can see the other Outlander patterns here.
Outlander Claire’s Cowl – Seen In Outlander Season 1
If you have been watching the Outlander TV series, in season one, Claire wore a very distinctive chunky knit cowl.
Inspired by the knitted cowl she wears during her travels into the past, this is knit in garter stitch.
The design of the cowl is made in one piece, then seamed, so that you can wrap it around your neck twice.
Claire Fraser wearing her knitted cowl (above). Image Source – Starz
The Design Inspiration – Claire’s Cowl Outlander
Inspired by Claire Fraser wearing beautiful knitted pieces, the cowl is a great beginner project.
If you have never knit anything before, this would be a really easy accessory for you to begin with.
The Claire cowl is knit on large needles with super bulky yarn, in one long piece.
The ends are then sewn together to make it into one piece that can easily be wrapped around the neck twice.
Visit the Outlander Knitting Pattern Collection Ebooks in my shop below:
- The Ultimate Outlander Collection – With 39 Knitting Patterns.
- Outlander Pattern Collection 2020 – With 18 Knitting Patterns
- Outlander Pattern Collection 2019 – With 21 Knitting Patterns
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This Outlander Claire cowl pattern is great for any beginner knitters.
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- You should also be comfortable knitting with two strands of yarn together.
- Mattress Stitch Tutorial.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
Outlander Cowl Knitting Pattern
Get the ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE.
Get the Shawls, Wraps + Cowls Ebook here.
See ALL of the Outlander Pattern Ebooks here.
Notes
Claire’s cowl knitting pattern will allow you to create a large chunky scarf that can be wrapped around your neck twice.
There are two versions of the pattern; one cowl is knit on size 15mm (US 19) knitting needles and the other is more chunky, knit on size 20mm (US 35) knitting needles.
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner)
Gauge (in garter stitch)
- 10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 12 sts and 10 rows for version 1.
- 10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 5 sts and 10 rows for version 2.
Measurements
- Version 1 – Width = 9.5 inches / 24 cm.
- Length (laying flat before seaming) = 52 inches / 132 cm.
- Version 2 – Width = 13 inches / 33 cm.
- Length = (laying flat before seaming) = 56 inches / 143 cm.
- You can make it longer depending on your own preferences.
*You can make it longer or shorter depending on your own preferences.
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick And Quick (170g/106 yds /107 m) in Barley – 124 x 2 x skeins for version 1 and 4 skeins for version 2.
- *This yarn was knit with two strands together.
- Yarn Weight – Super Bulky 06 / Super Chunky / 14 Ply.
Needles
- 15 mm (US 19) knitting needles for version 1.
- 20mm (US 35) knitting needles for version 2.
Notions
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- Cont – Continue
- K – knit
This image shows version 1 of the cowl pattern.
Version 1 – Pattern
With size 15mm (US 19) needles and using a single strand of yarn cast on 16 sts.
Row 1: Knit to the end of the row.
Cont to knit every row until the yarn is nearly finished, leave enough to cast off, or when the length of the scarf measures approx 51 inches / 131 cm.
*You can make it longer depending on your own preferences but you will need more yarn.
Cast off.
Seam the two ends together to make an infinity scarf.
Sew in all loose ends.
This image shows version 2 of the cowl pattern.
Version 2 – Pattern
With size, 20mm (US 35) needles and using two strands of yarn together cast on 18 sts.
Row 1: Knit to the end of the row.
Cont to knit every row until the yarn is nearly finished, leave enough yarn to cast off.
*You can make it longer depending on your own preferences but you will need more yarn.
Cast off.
Seam the two ends together to make an infinity scarf.
Sew in all loose ends.
View more Outlander Knitting Patterns here.
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Patricia King says
Love the look of this – will need to knit it for winter 2020!
Sue Coelho says
Dear Louise: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS!
It is so kind of you to unselfishly post these patterns for free so that so many people can have them to enjoy them.. In a pay it forward act, I’m gonna make some cowls and give them to a needy cause in my area.
handylittleme says
Hello Sue, thank you so much for your kind words and I am so happy you like the patterns. I think making some knitted items for others is a wonderful idea and they will definitely appreciate them at this time of the year. Have a great Christmas 🙂 cheers, Louise
Sue McLarty says
Can you please tell me which version I’m seeing in the photos? Version 1 (9.5 inches x 52 inches), or Version 2 (13 inches x 56 inches)?
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Sue,
I just added underneath the photos in the pattern which versions they are.
The closer-knit scarf/cowl is version 1 and the chunkier knit is version 2.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Sue McLarty says
It does. Thank-you so much for these patterns!
Danielle Gareau says
Thank you for the beautiful patterns. I have been looking at this one for a week and reading comments from previous instructions that you have posted. In one of them, you mentioned in a reply to a question that you use the two different size needle to knit the one cowl. Now, in this version, there is no mention of that. Also, I would like to adjust the pattern so the I can cover my shoulders when need be. Shoulder to shoulder, I am 19 inches. Can you tell me how many stitches I would have to cast on? I was able to find the needles on e-Bay. Thank you for taking the time. Danielle.
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Danielle,
There was a version of the pattern from a couple of years ago where I used two different-sized needles.
Now there are two versions of the pattern, one that uses 15 mm (US 19) needles and one that uses 20 mm (US 35).
As for the width – you can cast on more stitches and measure as you add them to get the width of the scarf you want.
For the length – that can also be adjusted – you can make it shorter or longer.
If it’s longer it will be looser and easier to wrap around the neck.
I hope that helps!
Louise