Timeless Cowl
If a camel hair coat is classic glamour, then our Simply Camel is the key to that timeless kingdom! Its simplicity is grace and its beauty is pure elegance. This pared-down beauty calls for the simplest of knits, and our Timeless Cowl fits the bill!
One hundred percent undyed baby camel, Simply Camel is incredibly soft with a lovely drape and a desert glow.
You’ll knit your Timeless Cowl knit flat in stockinette stitch with garter stitch stripes, and in the end, you sew the cast-on and bind-off edges together to form a tube… Ta da, a lovely little nod to glamour!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTimelessCowl and #PurlSohoSimplyCamel. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Simply Camel, 100% baby camel. Each skein is 164 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 328 yards required.
- US 2 (3.0 mm), straight or 24-inch circular needles
- A stitch marker
- A tapestry needle
Gauge
26 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
Finished Dimensions: Circumference of 17 inches x 15 inches tall
Pattern
Cast on 98 stitches. We used a basic Long-Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 2 (right side): Repeat Row 1.
Row 3: K1, purl to last stitch, k1.
Row 4: Repeat Row 1.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Row 6: Repeat Row 1.
Repeat Rows 1–6 thirty-two more times or until piece measures approximately 16½ inches from the cast-on edge, then repeat Rows 1–5 one more time.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise, leaving a one-yard tail for seaming.
Seam
With right side facing you, hold the bind-off and cast-on edges parallel to each other and vertical, with the bind-off edge on the left and the cast-on edge on the right.
Thread the bind-off tail onto a tapestry needle, and insert the needle from right to left, first through the purl bump on the edge of the cast on, then through the final bind-off stitch. Next, insert the needle from left to right through the next bind-off stitch and then through the same purl bump of the cast on as before.
Now insert the needle from right to left through the next cast-on purl bump, then through the same bind-off stitch as the previous step. Repeat these steps (first going through the next stitch on one side, then into the previous stitch on the other side) until you have seamed the entire cowl.
Weave in the ends and gently wet block.
LEARN ABOUT SIMPLY CAMEL + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
We chose our Simply Camel for this project because it always brings a level of natural elegance and beauty that just beams out into the world! This 100% undyed baby camel yarn is just how the (free-roaming!) animals grew it, as simple as can be. A fingering-weight yarn, Simply Camel is incredibly soft in a 2-ply spin that blooms and glows… Enjoy this special knitting experience!
More Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Simply Camel knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop camel yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I can’t wait to try this pattern. It would make beautiful gifts. Thank you for making it a free pattern!
Can this be done in the round with the same result?
Hi Michele,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly knit this in the round, but you will need to make a few adjustments to the cast on amount in order for it to be a large enough circumference. Also, if you do knit this in the round it will not look the same, the main change is the garter ridges, if you knit this in the round the ridges will be laid out horizontally rather than vertically, as we have here. This is ultimately why we decided to knit this piece flat, to get the lovely garter ridges positioned vertically!
I hope this clears things up, happy knitting!
Gianna
Was curious as to why this pattern wasn’t done “in the round”?
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for reaching out! We worked this pattern flat, instead of in the round, so that we could knit horizontally to create the beautiful vertical garter ridges!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Crazy question… but how does this circumference fit over your head? Also, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for a pile-up of yarny goodness.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for reaching out! Our Simply Camel yarn is so soft and stretchy that the circumference will stretch comfortably over your head, while it’s also fitted enough that it doesn’t slump down! However, if you would like a larger circumference this pattern is incredibly easy to adjust! Since it is knit flat horizontally and then seamed together you can simply add an additional few repeats till you reach your desired length before binding off.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
LOL Yes, we can knit more repeats… but would additional yarn need to be purchased, or is there wiggle room in the prescribed quantity. Thanks!
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for your response! Yes, you will have plenty of yarn with just the two skeins to add additional length!
Warmly,
Gianna
Can this be knitted in the round? Thanks Pat
Hi Pat,
Thanks for writing in! You could knit this in the round, but you will need to make a few adjustments in order for it to fit correctly. Particularly the cast on, will need to cast on more stitches in order for the circumference to be big enough to comfortably fit over your head. Also, if you do knit this in the round it will look different than how it looks here, the main change will be the garter ridges, if you knit this in the round the ridges will be laid out horizontally rather than vertically. This is ultimately why we decided to knit this piece flat, to get the lovely garter ridges positioned vertically!
I hope this clears things up, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi there, if I used a US size 3 circular needle (which I already have) instead of size 2, how would that impact the size? Thank you!
Hi Claire,
Thanks for writing in! If you use a US 3 needle the fabric will be a little less dense and the overall size may come out a bit bigger, I would suggest working a gauge swatch on the US 3 to see if you like how it looks and how it compares to the gauge of the pattern!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I suspect that your camel yarn is wonderfully soft, to match its price. Can you suggest another suitable yarn that may be almost as soft and less expensive? I may have something even from Purl Soho in my stash! Thank you.
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for reaching out! You could use any fingering weight yarn in place of the Simply Camel for this cowl! I would suggest using our lovely yarn Posy, it is wonderfully soft and squishy and would look great with this pattern. I do recommend double-checking your gauge prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern.
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I forgot to ask: is the ply structure of the yarn very important for this project?
It’s a beautiful cowl, not too bulky. Is that the only colorway?
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, this is the only color available in this yarn, but you could use any other fingering weight yarn in its place! You can find our full collection of fingering weight yarns here: Fingering Weight Yarns
I would suggest using our lovely yarn Posy! Just be sure to work a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I think this Cowl is lovely and, while I like the idea of Simply Camel, I don’t love that color on me. Could you please recommend an alternative that would show off the pattern in the same way?
Thank you,
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for writing in! In place of Simply Camel, I would suggest using our lovely yarn Posy! It has a similar make-up so it will work beautifully with this pattern and comes in a great selection of colors! I also suggest working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you’re consistent with the pattern.
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you, Gianna!
Are the baby camels treated humanely? I have seen so many stories about sheep being mistreated horribly.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! We can ensure that the baby camels are treated very humanely, this yarn is Fair Trade Certified and comes from camels who live freely in unfenced pastures with minimal human contact, the farmers only need to set several water points for them, and food is naturally available for them in the pastures. Once their fibers are ready, they are either trimmed with scissors, brushed with combs, or gathered from the ground to, again, keep their interactions with humans as minimal and stress-free as possible!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Ooooo, could someone help me how to convert this stitch pattern into a hat? A matching cowl and a hat combo would be such a wonderful Christmas gift!
Hi Angela,
Thanks for writing in, and I think this stitch pattern would make a nice hat as well! I can give you some tips on how to convert it. I would first figure out how many stitches you would need to cast on to get about 8 inches or so (a good height for a hat). Then, I’d follow the cowl pattern as written, until you reach a few inches less than your head circumference measurement. Then, bind off, seam up the side (just like in the cowl pattern), and finally, loop your yarn through every few stitches on one edge of the resulting cylinder and pull tightly, so that this edge comes together to form the crown of the hat. This is the same type of construction we use in our Simple Hat pattern! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
I would like to use Good Wool for this pattern. How would I adjust it?
Hi Rosalyn,
Thanks for reaching out! I think Good Wool would be lovely with this cowl! I would suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch to compare it to the original gauge and determine your stitches per inch. From there you can adjust your cast on! For more information, I would suggest checking out our wonderful tutorial All About Gauge, it is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
almost ready to bind off – thanks!
This pattern knitted flat is so much easier to knit just the way it is written. If it were knitted in the round, to obtain vertical ridges, there would be much more stitch counting! And it looks like it will go together perfectly once finished. I can’t wait to make this cowl just the way it is! Thank you so much!
Thanks for the free pattern! I’m ready to cast on with your camel yarn. Can you recommend a bind-off method? Does it need to be a stretchy edge, or firm in order to make a neat finished seam?
Hi SueSue,
Thanks for reaching out! We simply used a basic bind-off for this pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello Purl
I’m fairly new to knitting. But I’ve made quite a bit over the last 2 years advancing into
The Newsprint Cowl and the Highpoint Hat.
I purchased the Simply Camel yarn to make the Timeless Cowl but I also purchased the Jade Sapphire 2 ply Cashmere in Robe Royale.
I thought it would be pretty and I was wanting a red scarf.
One skein of the JS seems to have the same stats as 2 skeins of the camel, fingerling weight, 6-8 stitches per inch and 400 yards, which meets the pattern needs but when they arrived the cashmere it a lot thinner than the camel.
My question is, I’m at the half way point in the pattern with the Jade Sapphire (The piece currently measures about 8” of the 17” circumference ) and I’m worried I might not have enough yarn to finish.
I know you‘ll ask if I made a swatch but I’m way too impatient and excited for my new piece to knit a square, Sorry :/ (I’m not a fast knitter)
So in your expert opinion
Did I make a mistake in assuming the stats alone would produce the same piece from two different yarns?
Knitting on a Whim
Beth
Hi Beth,
Thanks for reaching out. You’re totally right in assuming we’ll ask if you made a swatch! I completely understand being impatient to start a project, but swatches can save you a lot of time going forward, since they help you determine what size needles you should use. Gauge depends on so many things, from needle size and yarn weight to things like needle material, yarn fiber content, and even your own muscle tension on a given day! The stats we give in the Product Details can give a general idea of what projects the yarn will work for, but it’s important to figure out exactly what needles you should be using to achieve the gauge of each project. I hope this helps clarify what might be going on as you knit your cowl!
All the best,
Lili
Thank You Lili
I did stick with the US2, I thought about using a
US3 for the thinner yarn but I didn’t want the knit to be too loose.
I might still pull it off but I’ll be shocked if I do.
I have a feeling I’ll be ordering another skein of the cashmere.
Either way I learned something and I’ll still have a lovely red cowl when I’m done.
Thanks to you and everyone at Purl!
I love your aesthetic and by offering free patterns with the suggested yarn and tool requirements and tutorials, Brilliant!
So helpful to a beginner.
Purl has made me a knitter.
I’ll work on the swatching 😉
Thanks again
Beth
For the record, if anyone is wondering.
I was able to finish this cowl with the Jade Sapphire 2 ply cashmere with yarn to spare.
I did end up adding rows. I knit a total of 44 complete rows and then knit rows 1 through 5 and bound off. My finished dimensions are
circumference 20 Inches x 12 inches tall. I don’t have a long neck so this worked out perfectly for me.
Could this pattern be knitted as a regular scarf?
Hi Janice,
Thank you for your comment! This cowl could absolutely be adapted to a scarf pattern by knitting through the pattern for your desired length as written but binding off before the SEAM section. For a scarf, any length you like will work, but if you’re looking for a more concrete measurement, typically we suggest knitting for 60”-70” for an adult size.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Do you gently block the seams before sewing them together? Otherwise, there is lots of curling. How do I block it ?
Hi Jess!
Thank you for your question! Yes, you can gently block the ends before sewing them together following our blocking tutorial, or if you have removable stitch markers available to you, you could use these to “pin” together the seam to help it lay flat as you sew. We also have a more in-depth blocking tutorial here for your finished cowl.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi,
I’ve followed the instructions but the lines are horizontal in my pattern not vertical. What did I do wrong?
Hello!
Thank you for your question. This pattern is knit horizontally, and then the finished rectangle is sewn together by joining the short ends to create a cowl loop with vertical stripes! We illustrate this under the “SEAM” section for quick reference. If your stripes are still horizontal, you may need to keep knitting until the piece measures 16.5″ from the cast on edge before seaming into a cowl loop.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi…I followed your instructions to a tee and my pattern is horizontal. It doesn’t look remotely like the photo.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear that your cowl didn’t turn out as expected! It’s a bit difficult for me to visualize what your work looks like though. Would you be able to send a photo to [email protected]? That way, we can see exactly what you’re seeing and be able to offer more specific advice!
All the best,
Lili
Can you give the number of stitches to cast on knitting in the round. I do t mind the pattern going horizontal and prefer to knit in the round. Please also post any other pattern changes.
Hi Shari,
Thanks for writing in! Based on the gauge of the pattern (26 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern), I would recommend casting on either 110 or 111 stitches to knit it in the round. I got this number by multiplying the circumference (17 inches) by the number of stitches per inch (26/4, or 6.5) and rounding to the nearest whole number. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’m thinking of going a shorter/smaller cowl. Would one skein do that? Thank you
Linda Lesnick
Hi Linda,
You can absolutely make a shorter/smaller cowl with just 1 skein! A cowl that’s about 8.5 inches in height (half of the original) would be about what you could make with 1 skein of Simply Camel. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili