I’m in love with chunky cowls. I hear people say they can’t pull it off, but they can. A beautiful chunky knit looks great on everyone! I wrote up this little pattern for the Katy Cowl for my brand new knitters at the CED Art Retreat in Lake Tahoe. You should have seen the brilliant progress my brand new knitters made–I was so proud of them. This cowl is a perfect beginning knitter’s project. Or, it is perfect for the experienced knitter to click away mindlessly in the car, at practice, on the airplane, in front of the tv, etc. I have already made up three of them as easy, but stylish gifts for friends and family. You can find the pattern here on ravelry or here on a google reader to download right away.
I used Lion Brand Thick and Quick in Fisherman on the cream cowl and Tahki Stacy Charles Montana, 100% pure new wool, on the gray cowl. The Tahki yarn has been discontinued but here’s charcoal in the Lion Brand I like to use the Lion Brand because if you get the yarn on sale, this cowl costs less than $20 to make. If you want a more luxury wool, try Cascade Magnum in charcoal. The Cascade is bulkier so don’t forget to check gauge! I added a couple of pink stripes to the gray cowl–fun! This would be perfect for a college kiddo to sport their colors.
Frankly, I’m just in love with how super bulky knit yarn looks so yummy just sitting there. It’s starting to get colder here, so I’ve been throwing these cowls on in the wee hours when I’m walking Lucy. The cowl has a moebius twist in it which makes it fit nicely when your wrapping it twice.
Here it is on my lovely sister, Katy, hence the name. Do try to whip one of these up for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!
For other easy chunky knit patterns, go check out this gallery:
May your winter be surrounded by lovely winter whites and chunky wool.
xo anne
Palak says
It looks so yummy! Love chunky knits!
Beth Wagner says
Hi, I’m very new to knitting and I’m having trouble figuring out what you mean by “lay it to dry”. Did you wash the rectangle before mattress seeming it?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Beth, Generally, its a good idea to wash it after you make it and let the fiber “bloom”. It evens out your stitches. Some folks think it’s a good idea to do this before you seam it up and weave all the ends in. Some folks do it after it’s been seamed. You want to let it soak in cool water, wrap it gently in a towel (don’t ring it), and then lay it flat to dry.
Anne
Holly says
I don’t understand the twisting at the end? Is it just one twist?
flaxandtwine says
Hi. Yes, just one twist and seam it up – like you’re attaching the wrong side to the right side. Makes it so it sits nicer on your neck.
suzyjaclyn says
Oh, lovely! I agree – I love chunky knits. How can you not love the immediate gratification, and the chunky yarns and needles just feel lovely in my hands.
Homemakermummy says
I’ve never seen these before. What a great idea especially 4 a newbie knitter like myself. Glad I found U! Great post : )
anne says
Thanks! so glad you like them. Definitely a great easy pattern for the new knitter.
teresa wiers says
Made one of these cowls this weekend – what a fun and fast project! I love it! Plan on making a few more for gifts for Christmas! Thanks for posting this great pattern
anne says
Yay! Glad it worked out well. Perfect gifts!
Mia says
These are adorable! I’m so determined to learn how to finally knit.
Mia, Denver Car Accident Lawyer
anne says
I hope you do. Its such a fun quick project!
Adventures in Dressmaking says
Beautiful!! I am loving cowls this fall. Just made myself a faux fur one, took like 10 minutes! Wonder if I’ll ever find the time and patience to try knitting one this winter… 😉 http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2012/11/fur-snood-cowl-tutorial.html
Josie says
I made one last week as my first ever knitting project and a Christmas gift for a friend… thank you for the pattern / inspiration and a super blog : )
anne says
Yay Josie! That’s awesome. Congratulations and thanks for your comment.
Melissa says
Just wondering before I start (new knitter here), does this wrap around your neck twice or is it just one small circle?
anne says
Hi Melissa,
This does wrap around your neck twice. Have fun!!
Anne
Julia @ FaveCrafts says
Hi Anne,
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of DIY cowl designs! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/cowl-patterns/
Have a great day!
Grammy Wass says
I don’t see the pattern here. Where do I find it? Love this simple cowl to make during my frequent airplane trips!
anne says
Hi. The pattern link is embedded above where it says “ravelry” or “little pattern” in another color. The link to the google viewer is long, but here it is : https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxmbGF4YW5kdHdpbmVmaWxlc3xneDo0YmVkMWE5MDAzMmFjZWUy
or you can go to ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/katy-cowl
If you can’t find it still, email me at the address under my name and I’ll email an attachment.
Thanks so much!
Anne
Summer says
I was wondering why this pattern only calls for 22 cast on stitches and not more?
I have seen other infinity scarfs that have 90 cast on stitches.
Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
HI Summer, This cowl is knit length wise and seamed. You’re only casting on the width of the cowl and knitting the length. Most of those other patterns are knitting the entire loop at once. Those patterns cast on the length of the cowl and then knit the width. Does this make sense to you? In other words, my pattern you cast on 22 and knit for 50″. Those patterns probably cast on 90 stitches and knit for 12″. Either way, give it a whirl!
Kaye says
How far in do you recommend putting the strips and how many rows are the strips?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Kaye!
I inserted the stripes about 10 inches in. I did 6 rows per stripe and 6 rows in between. Thanks so much for asking!!
Anne
Beverley Wentzell says
I think that was a wonderful question, as I follow all these patterns, and knit for our homeless here in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Women shelters with children, I am 51 yr married and 71 yrs old, and so do enjoy, just have finished over 150 knitted dish clothes to go overseas for a project our order took on. just Myself, others have done things, but I have been 9 weeks with shingles on my full right side of the face, for the 4th time, and can do this without glasses.
thank you for all the wonderful things put out there for us to read, and try.
sincerely Beverley
flaxandtwine says
Hi Beverly, Thanks you so much for your message. I’m glad you have found projects that you can do on my blog. You are doing wonderful work. Keep on! xo anne
Racquel N says
Love this! I just took a class last weekend and have been looking for a fun and non-intimidating project. Can’t wait to get started on this over the weekend 😀
flaxandtwine says
Thanks Racquel! have fun!!
D J Nuhn says
I am just starting to knit & I love this cowl. If I can make a half-way decent one, then maybe I will make some for Christmas presents. But I am having a hard time finding the Katy Cowl pattern. I “joined” Ravelry but I found it very confusing and overwhelming. And Google Reader doesn’t exist anymore.
Even just to get the yarn used, the size needles, and the finished dimensions, would help!
monika says
Do you have a crochet pattern for this by chance?
flaxandtwine says
ohh sorry Monika, I don’t. Give the knitting a whirl!
Angela says
Hi, thanks for the pattern! I have a question. This is my first knitting project and because of that, my first four inches of the cowl have turned out a little sloppy. However, I’m already on the second skein so I don’t want to start all over. Is there any way to remove/unravel just the beginning few inches of the project? Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Angela, Unless you’ve cast on with a special cast on, it’s pretty difficult to “undo” the beginning of knitting. I’m sorry to tell you. I would plan on putting the sloppy part at the back of your neck and no one will notice! It will be tucked under the other loop. Just take your newly gained skills to your next project!!
xo
Heather says
Thank you for this pattern! I’ve never seen blocking required for a scarf before…is it totally necessary or can I get away without it. I’ve never done it before but will figure it out if you think it’s absolutely necessary. Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Heather – you don’t really need to block it . . . I just do that as a technical nod. Generally you should to get the fibers to “bloom” and the stitches to even out. But, I it looks good to you, throw it on and wear it!
xo anne
jen says
i just tried this pattern – definitely a great beginner project! it turned out so cute 😀 !!
flaxandtwine says
Yay, Jen! I’m so excited for you!!
Jenn says
hey I’m in love with these scarves but I’ve never knit before how do I find out how to do this pattern, I think I’m going to make it my first project
flaxandtwine says
I’m so glad Jenn. Were you able to download the pattern?
Joanne says
Hi Just made your Mobius scarf with the hometown USA yarn 13 needles, but I,m having trouble with twisting, Won’t come out right. Help
flaxandtwine says
Hi Joanne,
When you twist it once to seam it. You will end up with a twist in the loop of your cowl. This makes it awkward to fold etc, but makes it sit nicer with less bunchiness when you twist it around your neck. Let me know if this answers your question.
Anne
Nancy Klimuk says
Hi there,
I have knitted since I was a child. This will be my first time attempted in over 30 years. How easy will t his be to do for a “beginner”?
flaxandtwine says
This is a perfect project! It is straight knitting (no purling) the whole way. The best of all starter projects! Have fun!
Sacha says
Support cute and simple pattern!
Now when you say to turn it once before sewing up, do you mean a full turn off half turn? Will the bottom be on top of will the bottom be turned so it is back on bottom?
Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Sacha, It’s a half turn, so that the bottom or wrong side is facing up. Thanks, Anne
Christine says
is the Katy cowl and the (grey) Cosy Cowl the same pattern. I want to make the Cozy Cowl but can only seem to find pattern for Katy Cowl
flaxandtwine says
It is the same pattern. I should have done a separate one with the stripes, but never got around to it. Here are the basics just about 8″ up, knit 6 rows of the alternate color, 6 rows of the base color and then 6 rows of the alternate color again. Then, go back to knitting the base color for the rest of the pattern. Does this help?
Christine says
thanks yes – time to get knitting!
Anita says
This is beautiful simple cow love it . I made many cowls but thin yarn not bulky. now i will make this,
thanks for sharing
Ann says
This is just what I was looking for! As a newbie, I’m wondering how to seam it. Tips? Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Ann,
I would suggest using a mattress stitch to seam it. You do this by stitching with the right sides up and going from side to side collecting the edge stitches and pulling it together. I don’t have a tutorial for traditional knitting mattress stitch on the blog, but you can search and find tutorials for how. Good luck!!
Ann says
Anne, thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I just finished the cowl and seamed it and it looks awesome! Great pattern, great coaching
flaxandtwine says
Your welcome! Congratulations!!
Lois says
This was my first cowl and to my suprise it came out beautifully. I am going to make a few more to start my gifts for the coming year. I know I am a bit early but I always have gifts tucked away just in case?? lol Thanks so much.
flaxandtwine says
Absolutely! I’m so glad you liked the pattern and you were happy with how it came out. Thanks for taking the time to come leave me a comment! I really appreciate that more than you know!
Tommie says
I can’t find the pattern for this scarf. Where do I find the pattern?
Thank You.
flaxandtwine says
Hi Tommie, The link to the pattern is this: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxmbGF4YW5kdHdpbmVmaWxlc3xneDo0YmVkMWE5MDAzMmFjZWUy
It is in the text of the post too – just click “little pattern” at the top of the post. Thanks! Enjoy!
Anne
Marilyn says
Sadly, I am very allergic to wool. Can you recommend a yarn to use for the same look but in a non-wool yarn?
flaxandtwine says
HI Marilyn, I’m so sorry to hear this. That must be hard. You can use Loopy Mango Big Cotton. Or, try acrylic versions of a similar size wool. Lion Brand also makes a 100% acrylic version in this same size yarn.
Helga Spizman says
Great! I clicked on “Click Here for Knitting Pattern” and got 13 pages of comments and NO KNITTING PATTERN. You missed a good bet with that.
flaxandtwine says
Hi Helga,
I’m sorry the pattern gave you trouble. The link is in the second sentence of the post. You seem to have clicked on comments. Please find the pattern here: http://bit.ly/katycowl
Marilyn COADY says
Could you please e-mail me the pattern for Super Chunk Cowl knitting pattern?
I can’t seem to download it.
Marilyn
flaxandtwine says
just sent!
Katie Matheson says
I want to make this for my nephew and niece (ages 4 and 2). Would you recommend a different length for the kiddos? thank you!
flaxandtwine says
HI Katie, Yes, I would make the cowl a little more narrow – maybe 8″ and then shorter. I would just test it around their necks and finish off at a comfortable length. You’re so sweet to do that! I want to see pics!
Kim says
Hello! I know this is an old post but I’m hoping you have a chance to answer a quick question! You said here that you used 15” needles but the suggestion on thick and quick yarn is 13” needles. Did you use choose 15” for a looser knit? Or was the 15 a typo? Thank you!!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Kim, No I’m just a super tight knitter. I often go up one size from the suggested. If you’re tight, I would go 15. IF you’re a loose knitter try 13.
Anne
Avery says
Hi,
I know this post is old, but I was wondering what length needles you need! I’ve never knitted anything with straight needles before and when I went to go buy some there were so many different lengths! Thank you!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Avery, you can use circular needles as well. You don’t need straight needles. In terms of length, you just need the needles to be long enough to fit the number of stitches you are doing – Even 8″ could work well as you can squinch the stitches down.
CJ says
I dont see any instructions anywhere except
to use chunky yarn. I’ve never knit anything before and this non-existent “patern” is completely useless to me. It’s a really cute product but I STILL have no idea how to make it. How many stitches ?… how many rows? How do you “sew” the ends together being as it’s obviously not continuous ?
flaxandtwine says
Hi CJ, You have to click the link that says pattern – and then you can download the pattern. Here is the direct link: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxmbGF4YW5kdHdpbmVmaWxlc3xneDo0YmVkMWE5MDAzMmFjZWUy
If this doesn’t work in translation, click the words “little pattern” in the second sentence of the blog post up above.
Thanks so much for your interest!
Anne
Hannah says
Hi there! I’m at 37 inches and it seems like it’s plenty long enough to wear. Is the length recommended so that it sits better on your neck? It just feels like 54″ would make it so long compared to the picture. Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Hannah – I would make it as long as you want it and it feels comfortable for you. It depends how close you want it to your neck.
Thanks, Anne