So, how is all your gift knitting coming along? I’m doing pretty well but still have quite a few things on my list. One of the biggest problems is that I keep finding projects that I want to knit for myself. Actually, all the things I want to knit for myself right now are cowls. I find them easier to wear than a scarf – no ends to worry about.
Stephen West’s Purl Ridge Scarf got this party started.
This is a free pattern on Ravelry and is so easy – just knits and purls, round and round. Sometimes those are the best projects, so relaxing. I used Terra in Beet from The Fibre Company.
I have two more cowls in my queue that I can’t wait to get started on. Fuyu is from String Kitty Studio. Another nice relaxing pattern with a beautiful result. I’m going to use Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Composition Book Grey for this one.
I’m also crazy about Botanical Cowl from Megan Goodacre, aka Tricksy Knitter. It’s a nice, lightweight cowl perfect for those of you who live in a warmer climate or could be worn indoors as an accessory. I’m going to use Skein Merino Silk for this one. I think the drape of the silk will be perfect. I haven’t quite decided on a color though, They are all so beautiful – what would you choose?
Since I’ve been enjoying all your pattern suggestions so much, and I hope you’re enjoying them too, let’s keep it going this week. For a chance to win 3 skeins of Terra in your choice of color from any that are in stock, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite cowl pattern. We’ll draw the winner on Monday.
Good luck – can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Gayla, I am having the same trouble knitting gifts! I just want to knit socks! Help! When I finally do knit a cowl, I simply love the Fuyu pattern you posted! Maybe I could use the Fibre Company Acadia in wild onion!
I made a Purl Ridge cowl for my mom for Christmas last year out of Manos Silk Blend and she loved it. The cowl pattern I like the best though, but haven’t made, is called Thermis. I like it because it suits male or female and it has buttons so you can loosen it if you like.
I love all these cowls, too. I’m going to make Circumnavigate (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/circumnavigate-2) out of Skein Merino/Silk sport in Raku for my mom for Christmas.
But, I love Fuyu and the Botanical Cowl, too. They are both in my queue. Hey, maybe that Botanical Cowl will be for my Skein Merino/Cashmere Fingering in Winter Tide. Yum!
Hmm Interesting, I really like the Inspira Cowl but it is so HARD to pick out the right colors to go together.
I just found a brand new cowl pattern that is just gorgeous – it’s called Vitamin C by Rock & Purl Girl. It’s less than $5 on Ravelry ~ http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vitamin-c and I can attest that Ruth makes some really beautiful items. You can even make it in two sizes which I love.
I like Lacey Linda Cowl by Linda Walter – very feminine and not too bulky.
I JUST finished up a cowl for a Christmas gift… I did the Honey Cowl from Madeline Tosh in their Well Water colorway. I have 3-4 more to do before the holidays so I just cast on for another. I’m going to do the Elis by Reiko Kuwamura in some Quince and Company that I have.
Good luck everyone!
Even though it’s very simple I like the Purl Ridge Scarf the best out of the 3, it seems the most wearable and cozy.
I’ve made the Easy Mobius Cowl (Haley Waxberg), along with several modifications of it. It’s not necessarily my favorite cowl pattern, but I have a special place in my heart for it. It’s the pattern that made me learn Continental knitting, by following the mobius cast on You Tube tutorial that is recommended in the pattern.
I also like the look of the Frosting cowl:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frosting-2
As for your Skein Merino Silk question, I’d probably choose Inkstone or Thistle, myself.
I’m on a cowl roll at the moment, just knitted Burnished Leaves and designing my own cowl at the moment. A favourite of mine is Bel Canto, I’ve knitted two of them so far. It’s so simple and elegant.
As for your cowl – I tend to go with the purples so I’d probably choose Raku, but I think it might look even better in Sugar. It’s a pretty pattern for sure!
I haven’t made this yet, but I love it – http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ridge-and-furrow-cowl
Debbie h
I’m liking the looks of the Bandana Cowl lately!
I’m not into cowls so much, but I love the look of shawlettes worn as scarves! If I won the Terra, I’d make “Gone with the Wind” (originally Emporté par le vent) – free pattern here: http://storage.canalblog.com/52/95/329456/62043924.pdf
My favorite is “Pretty Thing”. I think it’s by the Yarn Harlot. So pretty and delicate!
I’ve been going through Cowls all day looking for patterns for Christmas! I LOVE the Ceara Cowl by Lucy Sweetland and Quinnipiac by Leila Raabe but still on the search for some good one skein cowl patterns for Christmas.
I had Mad Cowl disease last year and made a whole bunch of them, but my favorite is Infinitude.
I must confess I never done a cowl :O I know, lol, shame on me! However, I have been eyeing Honey Cowl patter from madelinetosh.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl
I think I should make it so I can mark cowls as done ;D
Also, I love the botanical cowl. I think I may have some yarn in the same color as the one in the photo!
Love the Purl Ridge one! I completed it in Queensland Katmandu. Somehow it got all twisted but I still love it.
Hope I win! I need a pick me up :>{
I like the look of the Seahorses Nachaq http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seahorses-nachaq. Drapy and lacy without being too fussy. It would look great in a yarn with a bit of shine. I have a few people that I want to make cowls for; we’ll see if I actually get them done by Christmas!
I’ve never really looked at cowls before, but I love the first one pictured above – the purl ridge scarf…I’m definitely going to have to knit it (probably for me
I like the darkside cowl, a free pattern on Ravelry.
I was just telling my knitting group that I would love to make a cowl since I’ve never made one before. LOVE all the good ideas everyone is sharing!!
My next project will be the Climbing Leaves Loose Cowl Pattern by Leah Thompson. This will be the 2nd cowl I make. I just made #15 Cover Cowl By Vickie Howell. The pattern was on the front of the holiday Knit Simple magazine. They had a KAL on Ravelry for this cowl. I enjoyed making it.
My favorite pattern is Fourteen (free). It’s been my go-to cowl since I made it the first year I learned to knit. My new favorite is the Cambrian Cowl from Coastal Knits.
I love my honey cowl–it was super easy to make and quick and i love the result.
currently i love this cowl pattern! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/avery-6
I really like Burnished Leaves (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/burnished-leaves)
I have yet to make a very basic Möbius cowl in a nearly-solid yarn.
Love the Honey Cowl, especially in a chunky yarn like this one http://www.ravelry.com/projects/natsuko/honey-cowl; and I love the Qiviut Neck Muff http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/qiviut-neck-muff which is so easy since you never have to increase or decrease, just change your needle size. I must have a couple dozen cowl patterns in my favs… once I get through with my hat craze, cowls might be next
I’m also a big fan of the Honey Cowl from Madelinetosh. I made one with Malabrigo Rios and it was super squishy and warm. Not to mention the pattern is very simple, but still looks great!
I’m more of a triangular scarf person, but someday I’m going to make a Chickadee cowl…fast, functional, cute.
I am pretty new to knitting cowls, but they are fabulous, and i love wearing the ones I have made so far. Currently I am making the Happy Solitude Cowl by Veera Vaelimaeki (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/happy-solitude-cowl), and I am loving the result. I am holding two strand of Cascade Eco+ together, and have added a strand mohair/silk yarn for extra fuzziness- it’s turning out very squishy and awesome
A cowl I would love to make in the near future is the Jeweled Cowl (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jeweled-cowl). I love the beads, and how elegant it looks. I can also seeing getting a lot of fun out of playing with different colour combos for both yarn and beads.
As for the Botanical Cowl you want to make- I think it would look lovely in the Barley colourway!!
I really like the Burberry Inspired Cowl! Thanks for a great give-away.
My favorite cowl pattern is the Rasta Cowl by Breean Elyse Miller. I’m sure you’ve seen my Ravelry activity, but I’ve knit quite a few in the last month or so. I love the drape and texture!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rasta-neckwarmer
I am a huge fan of the Marian cowl – super bulky yarn and size 19 needles…squishy, warm fun
Today’s post on this blog had a gorgeous one: http://classiccableknits.com/blog/ Rav amchart
Oh, the Happy Solitude Cowl has been my fave for a long time! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/happy-solitude-cowl
I am in a cowl frenzy also! My favorite is the ‘Cream & Sugar Cowl’ by Alana Dakos. It is the perfect size and shape, and uses less than one slein of sock yarn.
I have most of my shopping done. A cowl for myself might be in order before the holidays…after another gift hat or two.
I really like the “Owl Cowl” – how can you not love something that rhymes?! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-cowl
i’m generally more of a regular scarf person, and can’t stand the whole “triangle-in-front-like-a-bandit” scarf look (for myself; i’m too busty to pull it off)……….
but i’m seriously thinking about trying the inspira cowl http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inspira-cowl . there’s so many gorgeous color combos to play with!!
for a gift scarf, i usually do the ribbed mini scarf http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-mini-scarf ; it takes around one skein of yarn (maybe two), is stupidly simple so i can do other things while knitting it, showcases multi-colored yarns well because it’s simple, and is easy enough to use that even fumbly cold fingers can use it!!
My favorite cowl, and one I’m dying to make, is “A Thousand Splendid Suns” – it just looks so vibrant!
My favorite is the Classic Elite Lush Sampler Cowl. It has enough texture & pattern to keep from being a boring knit.
My favorite is Madelintosh’s honey cowl–so easy and comfortable to wear.
I just finished the Burberry inspired cowl. Trying very hard to find a cowl pattern my mom would like.
sev[en]circle by Kirsten Johnstone is an amazing cowl with multiple loops instead of one big one. It’s almost like a chunky knitted necklace. Love it.
I really like the Stockholm Scarf.
I could lose myself forever in the color pictured in the second photo — wow, that’s gorgeous! I can see why you’ll favor Madeline Tosh for that one… which reminds me that I need to email you about a MT 80 10 10 need I have. Gotta get to that!
Trace
I am planning to make the A Noble Cowl. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-noble-cowl
Similar to Botanical, I really like the Dew Drop Cowl (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dew-drop-cowl). I found this pattern at my LYS – they made it up in Bee Sweet Bamboo and it was the SOFTEST thing ever! I had to buy some of that yarn right away (but I’m knitting a scarf with it).
I am making a 2d Day and Night Neck Warmer from the HOlidays 2011 issue of Love of Knitting.
I love cowls and scarves! I’ve been really itching to make more of them lately, with the weather getting chillier. I really love the crocodile stitch hood, found here- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marte-a-crocodile-stitch-hood
I borrowed the book, Knitted Gifts, from a friend and fell in love with the Neck Warmer Hat. I have long, curly hair so sometimes a hat is too much and I just need a cowl to keep my neck warm.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neck-warmer-hat
I’ve never made a cowl, but I borrow the book Vampire Knits from the library and I really love the “Under Cover of Midnight Cowl” pattern pg 22. I’m not really into all the vampire stuff, but I really think this cowl is pretty.
Cowls are wonderful because they are quick and don’t come unwrapped from your neck.
I’m liking Elis by Reiko Kuwamura and it’s a free Ravelry download to boot!
I have two favorite cowl patterns: Swayed or Skinny Swayed by A Friend to Knit With using Berroco Suede yarn; and Easy Lace Cowl by Kim Guzman in Creative Knittin Magazine Accessorize with Style Fall 2010. I have made the first several times, and the latter twice so far. Have requests for it to knit yet.
I love making anything with a leaf motif. Not sure why just the nature buff in me. I love the Climbing Leaves Loose Cowl . Thanks for the giveaway.
I love knitting cowls too. My current favorites are the Rasta cowl (such a quick knit in electric colors and you get to pick buttons too? Do your best, Oh Christmas Tree, because I’m sparkling too!) and for teaching me a new super fun stitch, the free Big Herringbone Cowl from the Purl Bee…so much fun to knit and I made mine in very soft Cascade Dolce…it feels delicious wrapped around your neck or left long to tuck into your coat.
I’ve had my eye on Piega (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/piega) for a while now. I love the braided look of it.
As for your botanical cowl, I personally would go with the envy colorway– that is a gorgeous shade of green!
I have made Abby in Knitty and enjoyed it. I really want to make Abstract Leaves http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/abstract-leaves-cowl . It can be made with beads another thing I want to try knitting with beads.
I generally don’t like cowls as much as I like scarves, but the Ice Queen pattern is gorgeous.
I have been wanting to knit a cowl but haven’t found the right pattern yet. I think the purl ridge pattern would be perfect for my first attempt.
I’ve never knit a cowl since I can’t get off my addiction to small shawls. I like the look of cowls, though, and Shawl Collared Cowl by Alana Dakos/Never Not Knitting is nice. I also like My Kind of Saturday by Irishgirlieknits, Frosted Cowl Neck Warmer by Krista Werbil, and Genevieve Cowl by Elena Rosenberg. Thanks for the heads-up on Fuyu. I love slip-stitch patterns.
Keyhole scarves can act as cowls, too. I like Scalene by Carena Spencer, Ribbed Mini-Scarf by Celeste Glassel (I’ve knit two.), and Knitted Neck Scarf by Martha Stewart (I’ve knit one.).
bronwyndp on Ravelry
I keep thinking I should make a cowl, but haven’t done it yet — Purl Ridge looks like a good pattern for a first effort.
I have not made a cowl for myself yet. Love KnitSpot(Anne Hanson’s) ever popular Cite; the Icicle Cowl by solstice; something with cables like #15 Cover Cowl by Vickie Howell or something lacy-leafy like the noble cowl by Emily Kausalik.
I made cotton seeds this spring, and it is a definite favorite. I used Blue Sky cotton, which makes this a perfect spring & fall choice!
I really appreciate the opportunity to win the yarn. I enjoyed the brilliant photos and like the Botanical Cowl from Megan Goodacre, aka Tricksy Knitter.