Bogey, birdie, eagle, dogleg, Cinderella story, shank, slice, duck hook, snap hook, snapper, quacker, bunker, cabbage, fried egg, tin cup, deuce, flop shot, kick, bite, long iron, mulligan, up and down, Oscar Brown, pitch and run, punch shot, sandbagger, wormburner, and so many more… This ridiculous lingo used to tumble out of my father’s mouth every Saturday and Sunday evening as he, with kid-like enthusiasm, regaled us with the triumphs and tribulations of his day on the golf course.
While I never took to playing, I do love the game. It’s rich with history, tradition and etiquette yet accompanied by some seriously silly outfits and laughably playful jargon. My dad remains modest in dress, but his clubs sure make up for it!
Knit with Koigu’s Kersti yarn, the single stranded ribbing is flexible enough to stretch over the large headed woods, while the double stranded tops of the covers are thick and lofty enough to protect them. This 100% merino is durable, resilient and even machine washable, perfect for the most adventurous of golfers… and knitters! Go wild with stripes of Koigu’s intensely saturated colors, then top your covers off with a pom-pom, tassel or I-cord loop. Cute! (Happy Father’s day, Old Man!) -Laura
Materials
- 4 skeins of Koigu’s Kersti (100% merino wool) to make all three Golf Club Covers. I used 2 skeins of color 2100 and 2 skeins of color 2405.
- 1 set of US #5 double pointed needles
- 1 set of US #6 double pointed needles
- 1 set of US #8 double pointed needles
- (optional) Clover’s Large Pom Pom Maker.
Gauge
4 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, with yarn doubled on largest needles
Sizes
Five Wood Cover (Three Wood Cover, Driver Cover)
- Finished Length: 13 (14 1/2 , 15 1/2) inches
- Finished Circumference 8 (9, 10 1/2) inches, at widest point
Note
This pattern is knit bottom up, using one strand of yarn for the ribbing and two strands of yarn for the head of the cover.
Pattern
All Sizes
With Contrast Color (CC) and size US #6 needles, cast on 32 (36, 40) stitches.
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Round 1: With the CC, k1. Change to Main Color (MC) and knit to the end of round.
Round 2: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end.
Repeat Round 2 until piece measures 1 inches from cast on edge. Change to US #5 needles and continue working on 1 x 1 rib.
When the piece measures 10 inches from cast on edge, change to size US #8 needles. Add a second strand of yarn.
Knit 3 rounds.
Five Wood
Change to CC (doubled).
Knit 2 rounds.
Increase Round: K7, make 1 right (m1R), k1, make 1 left (m1L), k16, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (36 stitches)
Knit 3 rounds.
With MC (doubled), knit one round. Cut MC yarn.
Change to CC.
Knit 2 rounds
Increase Round: K8, m1R, k1, m1L, k18, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (40 stitches)
Knit 3 rounds.
With MC, knit one round.
Decrease Round 1: K2tog, (k5, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k5, ssk, k1. (32 stitches)
Decrease Round 2: K2tog, (k3, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k3, ssk, k1. (24 stitches)
Decrease Round 3: K2tog, (k1, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k1, ssk, k1. (16 stitches)
Decrease Round 4: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2. (12 stitches)
Decrease Round 5: (Ssk, k1, k2tog, k1) twice. (8 stitches)
Decrease Round 6: (K2tog) 4 times. (4 stitches)
Arrange the remaining 4 stitches on to one double pointed needle. Using a second double pointed needle, work in I-cord for 3 1/2 inches. Cut yarn and pull tail through live stitches. With tapestry needle take tail through the top of the Club Cover and weave it in.
Three Wood
With CC (doubled), knit one round. Cut CC yarn.
Change to MC (doubled).
Knit 2 rounds.
Increase Round: K8, m1R, k1, m1L, k18, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (40 stitches)
Knit 3 rounds.
With CC, knit one round. Cut CC yarn.
Change to MC.
Knit 2 rounds.
Increase Round: K9, m1R, k1, m1L, k20, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (44 stitches)
Knit 3 rounds.
With CC, knit one round. Cut CC yarn.
Change to MC.
Knit 2 rounds.
Increase Round: K10, m1R, k1, m1L, k22, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (48 stitches)
Knit 3 rounds. Cut MC yarn.
Change to CC and knit 1 round. Continue working with CC.
Decrease Round 1: K2tog, (k7, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k7, ssk, k1. (40 stitches)
Work Decrease Rounds 1 – 6 of the Five Wood Cover and continue to follow those directions to finish.
Driver
Change to CC (doubled).
Knit 3 rounds.
Increase Round: K9, m1R, k1, m1L, k20, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (44 stitches)
Knit 6 rounds.
Increase Round: K10, m1R, k1, m1L, k22, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (48 stitches)
Knit 6 rounds.
Increase Round: K11, m1R, k1, m1L, k24, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (52 stitches)
Knit evenly until top measures 4 1/2 inches from ribbing. Cut CC yarn
Change to MC (doubled).
Knit one round.
Decrease Round 1: K2tog, (k8, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k8, ssk, k1. (44 stitches)
Decrease Round 2: K2tog, (k6, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k6, ssk, k1. (36 stitches)
Decrease Round 3: K2tog, (k4, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k4, ssk, k1. (28 stitches)
Decrease Round 4: K2tog, (k2, ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, k2, ssk, k1. (20 stitches)
Decrease Round 5: K2tog, (ssk, k1, k2tog) three times, ssk, k1. (12 stitches)
Decrease Round 6: (Ssk, k1, k2tog, k1) twice. (8 stitches)
Decrease Round 7: K2tog 4 times. (4 stitches)
With the CC color make a pom pom, as large or as small as you’d like. I used Clover’s Large Pom Pom Maker to make mine. Remember to leave two long tails for attaching your pom pom to the Club Cover. Using a tapestry needle, bring the tails through the top to the inside of the Club Cover and weave them in securely.
All Sizes
Weave in the tails and block as desired.
PRINT
The 5 wood pattern appears to have two one-row stripes of yellow while the picture only shows one. I think the last “cut MC” is incorrect and the decrease rounds should be done in the MC (yellow). Please correct me if I'm wrong–I've always found the Purl Bee patterns to be near-perfect so I'm still half-way convinced I'm reading something incorrectly.
Stacy E- You are completely correct! I have fixed the pattern. Thank you so much for your comment! Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks again! -Laura
Would love to order this book Is is available for sale to the public?
Hi Cheryl-
This pattern is not a part of a book, it's a free pattern from us here at The Purl Bee. You can find a bunch of other free knitting, sewing, and crochet patterns by clicking around on the site.
Thank you so much for your question-
Molly
I love this pattern and have been asked by my brother to make them for his new set of clubs. However, he would like the dimensions to be larger than the pattern. He wants the wood to be 11inches in circumference and his driver to be 15 inches. I think your wood instructions have the number of stitches for a 10-1/2 inch head so that might be ok but I think I will have to alter the driver instructions. I am a near novice so would appreciate any help you can provide. He also wants the pompom to be the same size as the driver headcover.
Hi Carol,
What a lucky brother you have.
For the 15-inch driver. Cast on 44 stitches, Follow the directions as usual until you get to skip down to the section titled Driver.
Change to CC.
Knit 3 Rounds.
Then skip to the second Increase Round that begins “K10…”.
Knit 6 rounds.
Do following Increase Round that begins “K11…”.
Knit 6 rounds.
Then, do one more Increase Round: K12, m1R, k1, m1L, k26, m1R, k1, m1L, knit to end. (56 stitches)
Knit evenly until top measures 4 1/2 inches from ribbing.
Cut CC yarn.
Change to MC (doubled).
Knit one round.
Then do a Decrease Round: K2tog, k23, ssk, k1, k2tog, k23, ssk, k1. (52 stitches)
Continue with Decrease Round 1 and finish pattern.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Laura
Does m1R and m1L mean increase 1 stitch right, and 1 stitch left? If so what do you mean by that? I have been knitting for a long time and I have never seen increasing addressed that way. Although I have been knitting a while I am still a novice knitter.
Hi Linda-
We have two tutorials to help you out with this:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/04/23/make-1-right-m1r-make-1-left-m1l/
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/13/make-one-right-m1r-make-one-left-m1l/
Hope these help!
Best-
Molly
Hi Linda.
Are you referring to our tutorial or did you see that somehwere in the pattern?
The tutorial explains both a m1r and m1L.
If you are talking about that occurring somewhere in the pattern…In this pattern, you “…m1r, k1, m1L…” You’ll always find a k1 between the increases.
Let me know if I’m not being clear.
Would love to make sure you’re on the right path.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
The tutorial was very clear, and I love that you do this for us.
Hi, Laura.
Just getting started on the head portion of the club covers and had a question. I just doubled the main color for the 3 wood and wanted to know if the main color is doubled for the whole head or just at the beginning to add strength to the neck?
Thanks,
Carol
Hi Carol,
The whole top portion of the Cover is worked with the yarn doubled. It is for extra padding/thickness and protection.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Hello! Forgive me but I have a silly question (bad at knitting!!), Can you leave off the i-cord part at the top? If so do you just gather it up and stitch it?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Alexandra,
Yes, you can leave the i-cord off the top. Just cut the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches. The, securely weave the tail into the interior of cover.
Thanks,
Laura
Hi,
I'm not sure if this question is addressed elsewhere on the website, but what is the best wat to change colors? Should I just cut the yarn and tie the new one on? and also what is the best way to add the second piece of the yarn for the top portion?
Thanks so much!
Hi Joanna,
I just looked through all of our tutorials and I cannot believe we don't address changing colors anywhere! I sure am glad you asked so we can rectify this. When you want to change colors, simply stop knitting with your current yarn, leaving a 6 or so inch tail and then begin knitting when the new color, again leaving a tail to weave in later. At the transition point there might be a bit of a gap, but at the end, when you weave in your tails, you can close up that gap. There is an important rule in knitting… No knots!!! So try and resist the urge. The reason is that they tend to come undone and then the unraveling begins.
Regarding the addition of the top portion… if it is a i-cord loop… after your last round of knitting, do not cut it, keep using it to make the i-cord. Once you have finished your i-cord, pull the tail through the top and weave into the interior of the Club Cover to secure it. For advice on weaving in ends… https://www.purlsoho.com/create/weaving-in-ends-tutorial/
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Thank you so much for the info! I just am still a little confused for this specific pattern changing colors. Do I cut the yarn and weave in the ends for each color change between the MC and CC in this pattern? Like at the bottom when it is just a small trim of the CC? And also, when I weave in the ends (I've never done so before), I looked at your tutorial. Do I turn this inside out? Or do I weave in the ends on the right side of the cover? I apologize if my questions are confusing, I'm just new to changing colors the correct way! Thank you!!
Hi Joanna.
You can weave in the ends on the inside or outside. I tend to weave them in on the inside just incase they aren't as hidden as I want.
As for changing colors, if you are knitting in grey and then have one round of yellow and then have grey again, you can just carry the grey up, on the inside of the Cover. But if there are several rounds of contrast color, then, yes, cut the yarn leaving a 6 inch or so tail to weave in later.
This is a helpful tutorial for changing colors and not cutting the yarn:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/stripes-in-the-round/
Please keep writing in with any questions you still have!
Laura
If I don' want to use Merino wool, what is the next best yarn? Will worsted or sport weight work?
Hi Trish.
You could substitue any light worsted or dk weight yarn:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=5
Thanks,
Laura
how do you make the i-cord
as I have never done this
Thanks
Hi Virginia-
You can find a tutorial to make an i-cord here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/i-cord-tutorial/
Thank you!
Molly
Is the i-cord made with the double yarn also?
Hello,
What is the equivalent to English 3 ply or 4 ply to the wool used for the golf club covers? My aunt is over from England and is going to make them for my cousin,
Thank you,
Michelle
Hi Deb.
Yes, it is. The icord is make with the yarn doubled.
Laura
Hello Michelle,
Kersti is a DK or Light Worsted weight which is a bit heavier than a 4ply in UK terms. Hope this helps!
Laura
Hi Laura,
I am trying to alter you driver head cover for an enlarged driver cover. It looks like your 5 wood cover circumference is 8 inches (cast on 32, increase to 40 stitches), 3 wood cover circumference is 9 inches (cast on 36, increase to 48 stitches), and driver circumference is 10 1/2 inches (cast on 40, increase to 52 stitches).
I read the post above looking for a 15 inch circumference, but am a bit confused. It looks like the increase only goes to 56 stitches. The pattern calls for 4 1/2 stitches per inch, so I am wondering if this is the correct amount. I have only used the 3 wood pattern this far and it came out to the correct size. If you could help clarify, that would be great! If it is correct as mentioned above, I will follow it.
Also, do you happen to have any patterns or ideas for utility clubs or putter covers?
Thank you! Love the website – have made so many cute things from here!
Hi Bridget,
The largest size is 15 1/2 inches long by 10 1/2 inches in circumference. As of now there is no pattern for a 15-inch circumference cover. Sadly we do not have any patterns for utility clubs or putter covers.
We are so happy to hear you like the site. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.
Laura
The way I understand M1R and M1L, is you are using the yarn between the stitches, increasing the first stitch as a knit stitch and the M1L would be increase as a purl stitch. Is that correct. Thank You Patty
Hello Patty.
Great question.
Both m1R and m1L are increased as knit stitches. Yes, when you m1R, you pick up the bar from the back to the front, but then you knit it.
Did you see our tutorial? http://purlbee.squarespace.com/make-1-right-left-tutorial/
Laura
What a great pattern..thanks! Any idea for making sizes that fit the 7,9,11,13 woods? Just fewer stitches and a bit shorter at the heads?
Hi Ellen,
Unfortunately we do not have the time/resources to fully develop additional sizes at this moment. But…. One trick would be to use a yarn that is slightly thinner, work a gauge swatch to make sure the finished dimensions would be ok and then follow the pattern as directed.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for your interest in the pattern.
Laura
Hi Laura,
My 16 year old son has ask me to knit him some fun golf covers and I love your pattern and wondered if I could order the materials from your site and have them sent to Australia?
Many thanks
Deb
Hi Deb-
Yes, we ship to Australia all the time! Here is a link to our international shipping info:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/shop/shipping
Thank you for writing in and good luck with the project!
Molly
Hi Laura,
In the instructions of the ribbing, the last direction is to knit three rows. Do you mean rounds? Everything else in the instructions states rounds. Could you clarify please?
Thanks so much for your help!
Sandi
Hey Sandi,
Yes…. That is definitely a typo. I meant rounds, not rows! Thanks for pointing this out. I've fixed it now!
Thanks again,
Laura
After the 10 inches have been knit and the pattern starts what do you mean when you say knit 2 rounds? Does that mean K1 row, then K1P1 row? Then when it says knit 3 rounds what does that mean?
Hi Linda.
Thanks for writing in.
When it says “Knit 2 rounds.” it simply means to knit one round and then knit a second round. Same goes for Knit 3 rounds… knit a round, knit a second round and then knit a third round.
Laura
Thank you , I love your site and you answering all the questions. My two sons, also asked me to make them the covers for their golf clubs. One son is happy with the three the other son wants them for all. We will see how many I can get done before Christmas. Thanks again for your help and the tutorials. Making the tube was easy after seeing the pictures.
Glad you’re enjoying the pattern and I love hearing that they’re such a hit in your household.
Quite the house of athletes over there.
Happy Holidays.
Laura
I need to buy some double pointed needles for this project. Do you recommend the 6″ or 8″? Also will one skein of each color be enough if I am only making one for the 5 wood?
Thanks for the great pattern!
Hi Megan.
I love using as short of double pointed needles as I can, so I would recommend the 6 inch double points. And regarding the yarn, yes! 1 skein of each color will be enough for just one 5 wood.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Can you use circular needles? I usually can with about 40 stitches. Can they be made up in any of the purl yarns?
Hi Carolyn.
If you use magic loop method or use two circulars for small diameters… than yes! You can definitely use circulars. I typically use double pointed needles when the circumference is this small, but that’s up to each knitter! Whatever is comfortable to you!
These are knit in a DK weight yarn. I would recommend using something similar in gauge. I liked Kersti for this project because it’s machine wash friendly.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Also could I use the long tail tubular cast on for stretchiness?
Hello again Carolyn.
Using a long tail tubular cast on is a fantastic idea!
Laura
Hi!
I am new to knitting in the round and using double pointed needles. The videos I have watched online have shown using 5 double pointed needles, but your pattern calls for a set of double pointed needles, it looks like a set is typically 4. So do you recommend using 4 or 5 needles for this pattern?
Thanx!
Hi Nicole.
I’m glad you wrote in! I bet a bunch of folks have very different opinions on this topic.
Some patterns are written very specifically, asking you to divide stitches per needle and then calling out what to do on each needle. But if a pattern does not call out specific needles, then the choice to use either 4 or 5… it’s simply a matter of comfort. Do whatever is most comfortable to you.
When working on double pointed needles, I typically use 4 needles, total. A lot of sets provide 5 needles, but I think of the 5th needle as a spare (for when I inevitably lose one). Also, I find that if I have so many stitches that it’s more comfortable to divide them onto 4 needles and work around with a 5th, then their are probably enough stitches to fit on a circular needle, so I would switch to a circular.
This project can definitely be done (and was done) using 4 double pointed needles, three to hold the stitches and a 4th to work around with.
I hope this helps! Oh and have you seen our tutorial on working with double pointed needles… https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/ Please let us know if you have any questions! AND welcome to the incredible vast world of knitting! Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Please let me know if you have any questions at all!
I want to “buy” the 3 yellow and gray golf club head covers shown on this site. Please email me with phone# so I can call and discuss. Thanks.
Hi Judy.
We’d be happy to help you buy the materials to make these golf club covers. Here is a link to our contact page for our eCommerce shop. Feel free to reach out to us via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks -Laura
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
I have been asked to knit the golf club covers. More than willing to do so but I live in the UK and have done a comparison with the needle sizes but am not sure about the wool used. Is the Double knitting used the same as the UK?
Hi Jessica.
Yes, DK weight yarn is the same in the US as in the UK. I double checked using this chart here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn_weight , heavier than Sport Weight and lighter than Worsted.
Thanks for writing in and enjoy the pattern!
Laura
I love your golf club patterns but I have a question. I can’t use DPNs or circular needles so I’m trying to knit it flat on straight needles. When I get to the decrease and increase rows should I not increase/decrease on the purl side and only do this on the knit side as I’m knitting this flat?
Thank you so much for your time.
Deborah
Hello Deborah!
Yes, its usually recommended for you to do the decreases on the knit rows, so that any bumpiness will go to the back of the work. This way you won’t have to change the writing of the pattern’s decreases either, since they’re written to be done on a knit row.
Best of luck! -Alyson
I am looking for a knitted pattern to make a large APPLE golf head cover for a driver. I cannot find one, can you help me. Maybe you have a pattern that I could follow to make what I am looking for.
Thank you so much.
Fraser G.
Hi, Fraser!
Thank you for writing in! Unfortunately, we don’t have a pattern for apple topped golf club covers. I am sorry we couldn’t be of more assistance. Please let us know if you have further questions.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hi Laura,
I would like to make the Driver golf head cover, however I need it to be about 15 inches and need to make it an apple with green leaves. Can you help me please with this pattern. I love this idea and would so much appreciate your guidance. This is going to be a surprise for our son in law, who is an avid golfer. The green leaves I asked about would be in place of the Pom Pom at the top. I could use your help with that part of the pattern as well as the body for the 15 inch cover.
Thank you so much for your help.
Fraser
Hi Fraser,
Thanks so much for the kind words. I think this will be a great surprise for you son in law. I suggest that you use a brown yarn for the ribbing and a red for the apple part. In regard to the leaves, I think you should take the technique we use in the Bobble Sheep ear and use that. You can make a few of these closely spaced together to make some leaves. I think that this is such a creative and unique idea!
Best,
Adam
Since this is my first time working with double sided needle, I did not realize the length of the needle would matter, so I bought the longest one, did some research and realized it should be shorter, so went back and bought the shortest available which was 16in. Turned out this was still too long for the 40 stitches for the driver, I could not knit in the round as the two ends were far apart
Please help and let me know what is the right length of the needles I should get and would it be the same length for all three sizes? 5,6&8
Thanks
Hello Yasmin,
Thanks for writing in! For this pattern we used Double Pointed Needles. Double pointed needles are useful when you are working with a small circumference.
I hope this helps!
-Marilla
I never had the occasion to knit these until now! My new manager plays golf and these would make him chuckle. If I wanted to add his initials to one of these, would you suggest intarsia or fair isle?
Hi Alexis,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly use either technique (fair isle might be easier) but I would like to recommend trying Duplicate Stitch. Our tutorial has directions on how to add letters to a piece of knit fabric and could work perfectly for your project!
Best,
Cassy
Hi I just made the Five Wood club cover,
The Kersti yarn was perfect, soft but durable.
I have concerns about the decrease rows. I cast on 40 sets to start, did the increases. The stitch numbers are not accurate at the end of the increase rows. Therefore when doing the decrease rounds the count was also off. I am going by what the store printed for me last month. Can you help?… regards, Julie
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I see where the issue could be occurring! For the Five wood, you will be casting on 32 stitches. This should then make the increase and decreases work correctly with the stitch counts being as they are stated in the Five Wood pattern. The cast on of 40 stitches is for the Driver Cover which is quite a bit larger.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Can this be knitted flat? Am rubbish with 4 pointed needles, Carol
Hi Carol,
Thanks for writing in! At present we only have this pattern available as pattern knit in the round. If you are feeling adventurous, you can certainly try amending the pattern yourself! You can also try out a technique called magic loop! The technique lets you knit a small circumference in the round using a longer circular needle. It can be much less fussy than DPNs if you find them a challenge to use!
Best,
Cassy
Appreciated your reply. Thank you, Carol
In round 1 is there a typo? Do you mean knit the full first row in CC, and THEN change to MC to begin the ribbing in Round 2 onwards? This is how it currently reads, which makes it sound like a single stitch in CC and rest of round 1 in MC:
Round 1: With the CC, k1. Change to Main Color (MC) and knit to the end of round.
Hi and thanks for reaching out! Although it sounds odd, the pattern as written is correct! If you look closely at the pictures, you will see that only the cast on is in the contrasting color. We have you knit the first stitch of round 1 with the contrast color simply to join the work into the round before switching to the main color for the rest of the ribbing.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I love these! Have started on the lower portion, but before I get to the top I want to make sure I understand – is the head portion really just knit stitches? They look like they are in V’s rather than squares like a normal garter stitch, so I want to make sure I have it correct. New to knitting in the round so maybe the impact is different b/c of that! Thanks!
Hello Emily,
Thank you for reaching out! Because this pattern is knit in the round it will come out as a stockinette stitch.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla