This quick and easy cable cowl knitting pattern is certain to become your new favorite winter accessory. The Char Char Cowl, a free cable cowl knitting pattern is the matching cowl to one of my most popular patterns the Char Char Hat. Read about why the Char Char Hat needed a cowl companion and how to choose the best yarn for your new project. Or scroll down for the entire free pattern!
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The Inspiration – Staghorn Cable Knitting
When I set out to start designing knitting patterns I wasn’t exactly sure where to start. I loved knitting shawls and hats so I figured those might be good projects to try my hand at designing. A few years before I actually started Whimsy North I had the idea to design a hat featuring a single Staghorn cable. If you look at many of my designs I like to add a bit of drama and whimsy to them. The bold Staghorn cable really spoke to me in that way.
That’s when the Char Char Hat came along. You can read more about that hat pattern and find the full free version on the blog here. After the release of that pattern, I had many people asking for a matching cowl. Naturally, I gave the people what they wanted, and ta-da! The Char Char Cowl came to be.
Quick and Easy Cable Knit Cowl
When I say this knitting pattern is quick and easy I’m talking knit it up in an hour and gift it to tomorrow. Or rock it yourself while partaking in outdoor activities. (For me this typically includes watching my son play hockey out on our backyard rink, shoveling, and going for walks in my neighborhood.) I made sure to design this cowl so that you only need to use one ball/skein of yarn (100 grams) so grab your single skeins and let’s get knitting!
pin it now, make it later!
Find a printer-friendly PFD version of the Char Char Cowl here in my shop. The PDF version includes the full ad-free pattern.
Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Char Char Cowl
Choosing a Super Bulky Yarn
Just like my Char Char Hat, this cable cowl knitting pattern was designed to work with many different brands of Super Bulky Yarn. You can check out this post for a breakdown of each yarn. There is also a handy chart that shows the yarn cost for knitting one hat. Since this cowl takes the same amount of yarn as a hat, you can use that chart to determine how much your cowl yarn will cost.
One thing to note is the yarn you choose will affect the overall height and width of your cowl. The sample shown on this page was knit using We Are Knitters, The Wool. This yarn is very thick and therefore makes a tall and wide cowl. Some of my test knitters used different yarns and their cowls were slightly shorter and tighter fitting. Below I’ve listed yarns based on whether they will create a tall and wide cowl or one that is slightly shorter and slimmer.
Yarns that create a tall + wide cowl:
Yarns that create a shorter + slimmer cowl:
Ready to knit the Char Char Cowl? Scroll down for the free version of my chunky cable cowl knitting pattern. Or, find a printable version of the Char Char Cowl on Etsy and Ravelry.
Click here to explore more FREE knitting patterns from Whimsy North!
Free cowl knitting patterns on the blog!
- Purchase the ad-free, printable PFD on Etsy here.
- Save this pattern to Ravelry here.
- Pin it for later here.
Char Char Cowl knitting pattern details
Description:
The Char Char Cowl uses one skein of Super Bulky weight yarn to create a cozy cowl that can be knit in just a few hours. This cowl is knit in the round and therefore does not require any seaming. The cable pattern is great for beginners and is easy to follow. It’s a quick project that’s perfect for craft markets or gifts. Pair it with our Char Char Hat pattern for a matching set!
Materials:
- One skein Super Bulky Yarn (weight 6)
Suggested Yarns:
- Malabrigo Rasta
- We Are Knitters The Wool
- Wool and The Gang Crazy Sexy Wool
- Knit Picks Tuff Puff
- Sugarbush Chill (2 Skeins)
- Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
- US 15/10mm, 16” circular knitting needles – or size necessary to obtain gauge. (I use these bulky interchangeable needles with these 16″ cords for all my super bulky hats and cowls!)
- Cable Needle
- Tapestry Needle
- 2 Large Stitch Markers
- Scissors
Finished Measurements:
Finished cowl will measure approximately 8”/20.32cm tall and 12”/30.48cm wide
Gauge:
4×4” / 10x10cm = 9 stitches x 15 rows in stockinette for
- Malabrigo Rasta
- Sugarbush Chill
- Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
4×4” / 10x10cm = 9 stitches x 13 rows in stockinette for
- We Are Knitters The Wool
- Wool and The Gang Crazy Sexy Wool
- Knit Picks Tuff Puff
Glossary
ST(S) = Stitch(es)
CO = Cast On
K = Knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
PM = Place Marker
SM = Slip Marker
KFB = Knit into the front and the back of the same stitch (increase stitch)
K2TOG = Knit two stitches together (decrease stitch)
C4B = Cable over 4 stitches to the back. Slide the first two stitches from the left needle onto the cable needle. Move the cable needle to the back of the work. Knit the next 2 stitches from the left needle and then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. (See Notes)
C4F = Cable over 4 stitches to the front. Slide the first two stitches from the left needle onto the cable needle. Move the cable needle to the front of the work. Knit the next 2 stitches from the left needle and then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. (See Notes)
Char Char Cable Cowl Knitting Pattern Directions
Bottom Ribbing
Using the long-tail cast on method, cast on 56 stitches, place marker, and join in the round. Be careful not to twist stitches.
Rounds 1-2: *K1, P1: Rep from * until end of round.
Increase round
Round 3: K4, C4B, C4F, K4, PM, KFB, *P1, K1; Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1. (57 sts)
Body
Round 4: K around to second marker, SM, P1, K around until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 5: K2, C4B, K4, C4F, K2, SM, *P1, K1; Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 6: Repeat Round 4
Round 7: C4B, K8, C4F, SM *P1, K1. Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 8: Repeat Round 4
Round 9: K4, C4B, C4F, K4, SM, *P1, K1; Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 10: Repeat Round 4
Round 11: K2, C4B, K4, C4F, K2, SM, *P1, K1; Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 12: Repeat Round 4
Round 13: C4B, K8, C4F, SM *P1, K1. Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1.
Round 14: Repeat Round 4
Rounds 15 – 20: Repeat Rounds 9 – 14 One More Time (Total of 2 rounds)
Rounds 21 – 23: Repeat Rounds 9 – 11 One More Time (This makes for a total of 3 times for these rounds)
Decrease
Round 24: *K1, P1: Rep from * until you reach the second marker, SM, K2Tog, *P1, K1: Rep from * until you reach the last stitch, P1. (56 sts)
Round 25: *K1, P1: Rep from * until end of round.
Finishing
Cast off all stitches using your preferred method of cast off. A standard cast off will create a more structured edge while casting off in a *K1, P1* repeat around will create a stretchy edge.
Weave in ends.
Now you have a quick and super cozy cowl! Next up give my Char Char Hat pattern a try. Check out more of my FREE knitting patterns on the blog HERE.
I would love it if you took a moment to upload your projects to Ravelry or Pin this pattern to Pinterest so you can share it with friends! Also, don’t forget to share your knit cowl on Instagram so I can see what you make! Us the hashtag #charcharcowl and tag @whimsynorth
