STASH's Cozy Cowl

A PROJECT DESIGNED FOR LEARNING TO KNIT!

Get the whole kit at STASHLounge.com

This cozy cowl is the perfect project to learn how to cast on, knit, slip stitches, and cast off! You will also dabble in basic decreases and increases and get to practice some simple but essential finishing techniques. Knit on straight needles in garter stitch (knitting every stitch, no purls) with super bulky yarn and large needles, the cozy cowl is a satisfying, repetitive project that is manageable for new knitters.

Materials: a full kit for this design is available at STASHLounge.com!

80 meters (87) yards of Super Bulky Yarn such as:

We used Wool & The Gang Crazy Sexy Wool in Mustard Sally!

Needles and Notions:

One set of 12mm (US 17) straight needles
2 Buttons, approx. 5cm (2”) wide
Darning Needle (for weaving in ends)
Scrap yarn in a matching colour (to sew on buttons)
Measuring Tape (to measure your progress)

Notes:

This project is written for those who have never knit before. Terms and abbreviations are included (at the end) but the pattern is written in long form instead of using knitting jargon.
Links are included with suggested videos to help you every step of the way in your project. These links are our faves and if you like them too, be sure to give the video a thumbs up!

Pattern:

Step 1: Using the long tail thumb cast on, cast on 16 stitches. Leave a 15cm (7”) tail to weave in later on.

Remember that your slip knot counts as the first cast on.

Step 2: Slip one stitch knitwise, then knit 15 stitches. Turn your work.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 on every row until your knitting measures 60cm (23”) from the cast on edge.

Step 4: Buttonhole row! Slip one stitch knitwise, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit two stitches together, knit 4 stitches, knit two stitches together, yarn over, knit 4 stitches.

Pro Tip: Check that you still have 16 stitches on your needle.

Step 5: Slip one stitch knitwise, then knit 15 stitches.

That first row after the yarn overs is going to feel a little funny, that’s okay! Just knit each stitch as normal.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 until your knitting measures 5cm (2”) from the buttonholes.

Step 7: Bind off all stitches, leaving a 15cm (7”) tail to weave in later on.

Finishing:

First, weave in the ends of your project. To do this, choose the side of your work that you like the most. This will be considered the outside or Right Side of your work. The ends should be woven in one the inside, or Wrong Side of your project. The above link is a handy video that reviews how to weave your ends in on a garter stitch project.

Next, sew on the buttons. To do this, place your cowl wrong side up on a table and fold the ends of the cowl together so they met in the middle. This will let you size up where your buttonholes are located. Using your darning needle and coordinating scrap yarn, sew your buttons on the end of your cowl without buttonholes, about 5cm from the edge of your cast on, making sure you position your buttons on the Right Side.

Finally, weave in the ends of the coordinating yarn in on the Wrong Side of your work. Button up that cowl and try it on! You’ve just finished your very first knitting project.

Terms and Abbreviations:

Sometimes called a glossary, this is where you look in a pattern to find out what stitches and techniques you’re using. Here are the abbreviations for the techniques we used in this pattern.

BO - Bind Off (sometimes called ‘Cast Off’)

CO - Cast On

K - Knit

K2Tog - Knit Two Together

RS - Right Side (the outside of your fabric)

St(s) - Stitches

WS - Wrong Side

YO - Yarn Over (the inside of your fabric)

Garter Stitch - the fabric created by knitting every row on the RS and WS.

Videos Tutorials:

Long Tail Thumb Cast On by Purl Soho

Slip One Stitch Knitwise by Wool & The Gang