Here’s my pattern for this simple, beautiful, and quick garter stitch cowl, knitted in the round. I love this cowl scarf because it’s super soft, cozy, and warm, and because it’s knit on round needles in one piece, there’s no need to sew up any seams. You could knit this up in a day or two!
Supplies:
- 1 skein of Bernat Roving yarn in a light turquoise
- Size 13 circular needles
- Darning needle for weaving in tails
Instructions:
1. Cast on 56 stitches on your circular, size 13 needles.
2. Knit entire first row. When you’ve finished, join your work, making sure not to twist any stitches. After you’ve joined the piece, purl the next row. This is different than knitting the garter stitch on straight needles (where you would knit every stitch of both rows). To achieve the garter stitch when knitting in the round, knit every stitch of the first row, and purl every stitch of the second row. Repeat these two rows until your piece is finished.
If you need help remembering when to switch from knit to purl, and visa versa, add a stitch marker where it switches. If you don’t have an actual stitch marker, you can use a piece of yarn, or anything that will go around the needle.
3. Continue until you are almost out of yarn, leaving enough to bind off. Bind off your last row, and weave in any ends. Your cowl is complete!
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Thanks, I have been looking for something like this and you have great pictures and instructions. I can’t wait to start knitting this pattern.
So glad you like it! Would love to see a photo when your cowl is done!
I love you use photography to tell the patterns story. Bravo!
Thank you so much! I’m a photographer in my “real” life, so I’m a little biased towards tons of photos
This is so cute! Found you from the fresh loaf, but I think I’ll like seeing your knitting patterns just as much as the food. Cute blog, by the way!
Aww, thank you so much! Can’t wait to post more
To make sure I understand: if I were knitting the cowl on straight needles , I would knit every row to have the garter stitch, correct ?
Or a scarf on straight needles, knitting all stitches and all rows is considered the garter stitch.
Thank you
Carol O
Yes — if you were knitting this on straight needles, you would knit every now. Good luck!
I love this pattern and I’d really love to try it. I was just wondering how many stitches I’d need if you could take a guess at how many stitches I’d need to cast on if I knit it on straight needles?
Hi Rebecca,
I think you would cast on the same amount of stitches if you were knitting this on straight needles, and then you’d seam up the side at the end.
All my best!
I cannot find big needles. If I use size 10us and worsted weight yarn. How many stitches would I use. My daughter starts university in Sept and she needs a cowl and I love yours could you please help me?? Thanks Jodi
Thank you so much for your free patterns that are great for knitting newbies. My one question; is it safe to assume that in all your patterns the knitting needle size is stated in US sizing? I’m writing from Canada and need to do the conversion.
Your tutorial, pattern, photos are fantastic.
Thanks again
Hi there! Thanks so much for your sweet words! Yes, all of my needles are in US sizes — sorry about that! P.S. Canada is one of my favorite places to visit! I’ve traveled on both coasts, and there’s SO MANY gorgeous places!
You use 3-4 3oz skeins for the red cowl and only 1 3oz skein for this one? Is that correct?
That’s right! Although I used different kinds of yarn for those projects.
You said you used size 13, but what length is the circular needle?
16″ in length, a typical hat sized needle.
I am a beginner. What do you do to “join the work”? Thank you this project has spurred me to pick up my needles again
Hi there! This youtube should help explain how to join the work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlNn2ph4HDc
Do you use 16 or 24 length. My stitches are stretching on the 24. Someone recommended 2 point needles. Also, I can’t find the turquoise; love that color!
Hi there! Yes, I used the 16″ length “hat size” needles, I do think the stitches would stretch on a longer set. You could always add more stitches though, if you wanted to use those needles! Or, double pointed needles would work as well. Good luck finding the turquoise — I love that yarn! I think I picked mine up at Michael’s craft stores – hope you can find it! All my best, k&b
I am now starting my fourth cowl! I have used different yarns,and it has worked out beautifully. I am giving 2 as gifts this weekend; one to my son and one for my daughter in law, then I can send a photo. So happy to have found your site on pinterest!
Thanks so much for posting this cowl & pattern. Exactly what I was looking for. I made 2 for my 16 year old daughter and she LIKES them! Ya whoooo!!! The first I did as a straight knit on circular needles – it rolls quite a bit, but she likes that and the second I did the k1 p1 (only 50 stitches) in an orange. So happy! Wish I could find the turquois – Love it!
I’m so glad you like the pattern! I’d love to see the cowls you made, please do post photos of your finished work on our facebook! https://www.facebook.com/knitandbake By the way, I think you can order the turquoise online here: http://shop.bernat.com/default.aspx?PageID=58&CategoryID=4&ProductID=138
I just purchased the low tide color on amazon, it is a similar color, a bit lighter, but really pretty.
I made one of these on my round loom and it turned out so cute. I used yarn that is kind of itchy so I’ll have to make another one. I love the color you used here.
Awesome! I’ve never used a round loom, do you always knit with one? Please do post a photo of your finished work on our facebook! Facebook.com/knitandbake – would love to see it!