Free Knitting Pattern - Soft Shoulder Cowl

I am always cold.   My husband says it's because I "have no heart" ha!  I like to wear turtlenecks but like a little extra around my neck and on my shoulders.   I wanted to make something that was a cross between a cowl and a shawl.  Below is my "Soft Shoulder Cowl".  I am now making my second one because I have worn the 1st one three days in a row!  I don't know if anyone else will like my crossbreed but hope you do.   Enjoy!

*To download or print the pattern just scroll down past the photos and click on the link.

Size S/M Materials & Gauge      Size L Materials & Gauge

Aran weight yarn, approx 327 yds                               Worsted weight yarn, approx 350 yds
Size 8 (5mm) circular needle                                        Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle
(needle length 20 or 24")                                              (needle length 20 or 24")
4 stitch markers                                                             4 stitch markers
Gauge: 16 sts & 22 rows = 4" in Stst                            Gauge: 15 sts & 24 rows = 4" in Stst

Abbreviations:

 

K=knit
P=Purl
CO=cast on
PM = Place marker
Slm = slip marker
rep = rep
sts = stitches
KRL = Knit Right Loop
KLL = Knit Left Loop
Stst = Stockinette Stitch
CRXsts = crossed stitches

Pattern Stitch

CRXsts:  Knit the second stitch on the left needle but do not let the stitch come off the left needle, then knit into the first stitch on the left needle, then let both of them fall off the left needle.  Continue on in this manner to the end of the round.

References: 

 KRL - to learn this increase see this video:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/knit-right-loop-english 

KLL - to learn this increase see this video:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/knit-left-loop-english

DIRECTIONS:

CO84 sts using long-tail cast on method, pm and join in the round being careful not to twist.  This may be a little tight at first but after a few rounds it won’t be.

1.     Knit 

2.     Knit 
3.     Purl 
4.     Knit 
5.     Knit 
6.     Purl 
7.     Knit each round until pc measures 9” in length. 
8.     K3, *KRL, k7, rep from * around to last 4 sts, KRL, k4.  (96 sts)
9-12 knit
13.  *k8, KRL, rep from *to end of round.  (108 sts)
14.  k40, PM, k14, PM, k40, PM, k14.

You will now be back @ the original starting marker.  You may want to make sure that your starting marker is identifiable, perhaps a different color than the other 3 markers.

15.  *K1, KLL, k to 1st st before next M, KRL, k1, Slm, rep from * to end.  (116 sts)
16.  Knit
17-32.  Rep last 2 rows 8x more.  (180 sts)
33.  Purl
34.  Knit

Begin Pattern rounds

35.  CRXsts around.
36.  Knit
37.  Rep last 2 rounds until the patterning measures 2 ¾ ”.
38.  Purl
39.  Knit
40.  Bind off loosely.

I lightly steam blocked mine simply to get the bottom edge and the neck edge to lay flat and not roll.

 To Download or Print, click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pWnduLXl5bTNzdFU/edit?usp=sharing 

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Occasional Cable Cowl - FREE Knitting Pattern!

As many of you know, I really really like this simple lace pattern.  It is a 2-row repeat, I have used it on a couple of my scarf/cowl patterns.  This time I wanted to see what it would be like if I threw in an occasional cable.
This cowl, although more decorative, does add some warmth around the neck.  I was traveling when I knit this and all I had to use was Red Heart yarn - needless to say not my favorite yarn or preferred in any way.  But, it did turn out and looks quite nice and I already have someone begging to have it.
Mine was 22" in circumference prior to blocking but after blocking grew significantly to 26" in circumference.  I was happy about this as I like it a bit wider so it will drape and look nice.
Here is the pattern if you want to give it a try!


*If you'd like to download or print the pattern just scroll down past the pictures and you will see a link where you can do that.

Materials:

Aran weight yarn 175 yds

Size 10 (6mm) circular needle (24” length)

1 Cable needle

5 stitch markers (I used 4 that were the same color to mark where cables are, and the other marker was a different color to mark the beg of the round).

Gauge:

14.5 sts & 20 rows = 4" in stockinette st.

Abbreviations:

K = knit                                P = purl

beg = beginning                   M = marker

yon = yarn over needle        yo = yarn over

p2tog = purl 2 together        Rep = repeat

k2tog = knit 2 together        CO = cast on

SM = slip marker                 PM = Place marker

CF2= Cable forward 2

**IMPORTANT: please make sure you know the difference between yo & yon.  If not, google it or watch some youtube videos, it's important that you do the correct one.

DIRECTIONS:

Using Long Tail cast on method, CO 80 sts

1.     Place marker to mark beg of round, Knit one round. (this first round may be a little tight, it will get better after a few rounds).
2.  P16, *PM, k4, p16, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Slip markers as you come to them.  Please note: make sure on the purl rounds that the yo falls before the marker, not after.

3.     *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to M, k4,**.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

4.     *P2, p2tog, yon, rep from * to 4 sts before marker, p2, p2tog, yo, (yes, I said yo instead of yon, this is correct) SM, k4, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

5.     *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to M, k4,**.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

6.     *P2, p2tog, yon, rep from * to 4 sts before marker, p2, p2tog, yo, SM, k4, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

7.     *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to M, k4, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

8.     *P2, p2tog, yon, *p2, p2tog, yon, rep from * to 4 sts before marker, p2, p2tog, yo, SM, k4, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

9.     *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to M, CF2, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

10. *P2, p2tog, yon, rep from * to 4 sts before marker, p2, p2tog, yo, SM, k4, **.  Rep from * to ** to end of round.

11. Work rounds 3-10 until piece measures approx. 10” or 7 cables have been completed.  End with round 10.

12. Work rounds 3-7.

13. Same as round 2, remove cable markers as you come to them as they are no longer needed.

14. Knit one round.

Bind off.  I blocked mine and it grew a bit.  Unblocked measured 22” in circumference and 11” in height.   Blocked mine measured 25" in circumference.

To Download or Print this pattern, click on the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pTTZWZENCcGZEVGs/edit?usp=sharing

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Free Crochet Pattern - Yorkville Cowl

I grew up in the town of Yorkville (Illinois).  When I was a kid, in the 70's, the population was around 1900.  It was a small farm town.  Many things have changed, the population is now 17,000+.  I loved growing up where I did, just outside of town surrounded by corn fields.  In the summer we'd catch lightning bugs, swim in the creeks, play in woods, and play ghost in the graveyard as the sun was setting.  My family moved to Montana just before I turned 18.  I have now lived in Montana the majority of my life and love it, but oddly I still consider myself a Midwesterner. 
As a kid I was always crafting, always making something.  I had a miniature version of my mom's singer sewing machine - many Barbie cloths were crafted on it.  I had decided one day to learn to crochet.  My mom had a "learn to crochet" booklet from either leisure arts or red heart, I forget.  I studied it and taught myself (with a little help from my Aunt Joan).  I made many afghans, scarves, hats, Christmas ornaments and yes, even doilies.
I find today that I knit more than I crochet, but every once in a while I feel great satisfaction picking up the hook and going back to my first craft.   I taught both my kids (boy and girl) how to crochet at an early age.  They are both grown now but can still crochet.  :)
In the last couple of weeks I have stuck close to home battling a bad cold and winter weather, it's given me plenty of time to crochet. Last week I made the "Bandito Cowl", this week I am making what I'll call the "Yorkville Cowl" as my hometown has been on my mind lately.

Free Crochet Pattern - Bandito Cowl

Happy New Year!  Darn tennis elbow has been killing me.  Can't knit for now, but for some reason crochet doesn't seem to bother it.  Decided to try to come up with a fun kerchief style cowl.  Here is what I came up with, I really like it.  I recommend using yarn with a little drape to it, a blend with some cotton or rayon for example.  If you would like to download or print the pattern, scroll down past the pictures to the link.

Materials:

150-170 yds of Worsted weight or Aran yarn
Size "I" (5.5mm) Crochet Hook 

Abbreviations:

ch= chain
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet
rep=repeat

Gauge:

Gauge isn’t terribly important as you will work to a certain measurement, but my gauge was 3 scs per inch.

Directions:

1. Ch 2, turn
2. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, ch 2, turn.
3. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, ch 2, turn.
4. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * to end, ch 2, turn. 
5. Repeat row 4 until your piece is 19” wide, for me this was 76 sts.  Do not ch 2 at the end of the last row.
6. Join in the round by slipping into the top of the first sc, ch 1, 2 sc in the same sc as joining, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, skip last sc, then slip into first sc to end the round.
7. Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, skip last sc, then slip into first sc to end the round.
8. Repeat round 7 until you have worked 3” above your initial joining in the round.
9. Ch 1, sc in the same sc as join, then sc in the back loop only of every sc, finish round by slipping into the first sc.
10. Ch 2 in same sc as join (this counts as first dc), dc in the back loop only in every sc, finish round by slipping into the top of the ch 2.
11. Cut yarn and secure, weave in end.

Blocking is optional – I actually did not block mine and I am totally happy with it.  Suggestion: You can dress this cowl up a bit if you like by adding your favorite edging such as picots....etc.

 
To Download or print you can click on this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pT3pzN1Y3X3MwdlU/edit?usp=sharing

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Free Knitting Pattern! - Bridger Cowl

This cowl is SUPER fast, uses worsted weight or Aran yarn and a U.S. size 10 circular needle. You begin the cowl in the center front and work flat while making the simple repeating lace pattern, then you will join and work in the round. This cowl is warm, squishy and makes a wonderful gift or craft fair item.  Make one (or two!) in a day.
If you want to download/print pattern you can scroll down past the pictures and it is available there too. (English, Spanish, Polish and Portuguese versions).

Tools / Materials:

Worsted or Aran weight yarn, approx. 150 yds.
U.S. size 10 (6mm) circular needle.  (I used a 24" length)

Gauge:

14 sts / 20 rows = 4" in stockinette st.

Abbreviations:

K=Knit

P=Purl

CO=Cast on

yo=yarn over

rep=repeat

sts=stitches

PM=place marker

RM=remove marker

beg=beginning

Reference: 

Cast on at beginning of the row, otherwise

known as the knitted cast-on.  Tutorial Video here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdaZTBOJ7XU  

Directions:

You will start out working flat (back and forth), later at #20, you will join and begin working in the round.

1.  CO 4 sts using long tail cast on. *note you will use the Long-tail cast-on here only, for the rest of the pattern when you cast on at the beg of the row, please do as directed.  Please see reference above for video.

2. Knit

3. CO 4 sts @ beg of row, k4, yo, k2tog, k2.   (8 sts)

4. CO 4 sts @ beg of row, k4,* yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end.  (12 sts)

5-14. Rep row 4 until you have 52 sts.

15. CO 4 sts @ beg of row, K4, *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * 1x more, PM, k until last 12 sts,*yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end.  (56 sts)

16. CO 4 sts @ beg of row, K4, *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * 1x more, PM, k until last 12 sts, RM, *yo, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end.  (60 sts)

17-19. Repeat row 16 until you have 72 sts. 

Place marker and join, you are now working in the round.

20. Purl round. (remove other marker when you come to it.  You will now only need the marker that marks the beginning of your circle).

21.  Knit every row until pc measures 11” (measure from cast on point to needle).

22. Purl round.

23. Knit round.

24. Purl round.

25-26 Rep rows 23 & 24 once more.
27. Bind off knitwise.

* Blue varigated yarn is Jojoland Fantasia.  the green is Berroco Remix. 
 

  

To get a printable pattern, click on the link below, then choose your language

Bridger Cowl Patterns

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