Coziest Cowl
Basically a toasty hug, our Coziest Cowl is the kind of quick knit you may be looking for at this time of year, one that sacrifices not a single ounce of beauty for expedience. Perfect!
We knit this simple seed stitch tube in the round with increases to make the shape even more… well, cozy.
What turns cozy into coziest? Our new Fiddlehead! One hundred percent alpaca and 1000% soft and cuddly warm.
This yarn’s unique structure combines two strands of alpaca roving that get pulled into fluffy loops by central threads. The result is a light-as-snow fabric with the texture of a curly little lamb!
You can buy Fiddlehead in individual skeins or in our 2-skein Fiddlehead Bundle, the perfect amount for knitting the Coziest Cowl (or our other Fiddlehead accessories: the Loop + Tuck Scarf and Toasty Hat + Mittens). So, pick up a bundle for the knitters in your life, or cast on yourself and see just how cozy cozy can be!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
UPDATE: NOW IN NEW COLORS
NOVEMBER 2023
We’re celebrating eight new colors of Fiddlehead and the arrival of our Warm + Fuzzy Kerchief pattern with a colorful update to our Fiddlehead Bundle accessory collection! These quick knits are the softest, coziest, blow-you-away-beautiful-est arctic attire you can imagine. So, pick up a Fiddlehead Bundle or two for the knitters in your life, or cast on for some quick and beautiful gifts… Or treat yourself and make your own cozy Fiddlehead accessory!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gianna Mueller. Click here to see even more of Gianna’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoCoziestCowl, and #PurlSohoFiddlehead. We can’t wait to see what you make!
MATERIALS
You’ll need a Fiddlehead Bundle, which includes…
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Fiddlehead, 100% alpaca yarn. Each skein of this super bulky yarn is 65 yards/ 100g; approximately 90 yards required. We used the colors Black Eyed Susan, Pink Sea, and River Stone.
You’ll also need…
- US 13 (9 mm), 16-inch circular needles, or size needed for gauge
- Stitch markers, including one unique
GAUGE
9 stitches and 10 rounds = 4 inches in seed stitch
SIZE
- Finished Circumference at Top: 19½ inches
- Finished Circumference at Bottom: 23 inches
- Finished Height: 11 inches
Notes
KYOK (Knit 1, Yarn Over, Knit 1)
Knit 1, but do not take stitch off left needle, then, make a yarn over on the right needle (in other words, bring the yarn to the front), insert the right needle into the same stitch and knit it once again, dropping the stitch from the left needle. [2 stitches increased]
PATTERN
Cast on 44 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *P1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 inches from cast-on edge, ending with Round 1 of pattern.
Next Round: [P1, k1] 11 times, place marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Increase Round: [Kyok (see Notes), p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to next marker, sm] 2 times. [4 stitches increased]
Next Round: [P1, k1 through back loop (k1 tbl), *p1, k1, repeat from * to next marker, sm] 2 times.
Beginning with Round 1 and ending with Round 2, continue in Seed Stitch until piece measures approximately 7¼ inches from cast-on edge.
Repeat Increase Round. [52 stitches]
Next Round: [P1, k1 tbl, *p1, k1, repeat from * to next marker, sm] 2 times.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 11 inches from cast-on edge.
Bind off loosely in stitch pattern, using a needle one size larger if necessary to ensure a nice, relaxed edge.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and gently wet block.
LEARN ABOUT FIDDLEHEAD + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Fiddlehead brings joy wherever it goes! Delightfully curly, it is 100% alpaca and as soft as you can imagine. One characteristic of Fiddlehead that’s hard to convey in photos is just how surprisingly light and airy it is, so although it is a super bulky-weight yarn, it practically floats off your needles! Available in lots of gorgeous colors and in 2-skein gift bundles, too, Fiddlehead is as fun as it is beautiful!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Fiddlehead knitting patterns
More Super Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of super bulky-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 alpaca 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!
Looks wonderfully soft. Is there a child’s version (5 & 8 yr olds – small for their age)? Or can you possibly help me out with a suggestion of a decrease?
Hi Denise,
Thanks for reaching out. We do not have a child version of this cowl, but it’s very easy to modify to be smaller! All you would need to do is adjust the number of stitches you cast on at the beginning.
To figure out your cast-on number, first multiply the number of stitches per inch (2.25, according to the gauge) by the finished top circumference that you would like and cast on the nearest even number. Then you can essentially follow the pattern as written, with a few slight changes: 1) When it comes time to place your stitch marker, just make sure to place it exactly halfway around the cowl, and 2) you can also knit fewer rounds so that the cowl is shorter as well as narrower!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Your description says, “We knit this simple seed stitch tube in the round and added decreases around the top to make it even more… well, cozy.”
But I see increases, not decreases in the instructions.
Hi Kathryn,
Thanks so much for pointing that out! We’ve now updated the story so that it accurately reflects the pattern. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention!
All the best,
Lili
Hi
Love the yarn, but not crazy about pattern. Since it is being done in seed stitch, could I knit it straight then sew the ends together to make it into a cowl? Also had an idea about putting a big cable in center.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you have some creative ideas about how to use Fiddlehead, and we’d love to see them come to life! You can absolutely knit this cowl flat and then seam the edges together. If you want to maintain the “funnel” shape, with a smaller top opening, just be sure to incorporate the increase stitches as you go.
All the best,
Lili
If I do it straight, how many stitches would I cast on? I want to get the same width. I think what confused about the pattern was. How many markers would be on the cowl. Also the instructions for increase. You say 2 stitches, when tried it your way with yarn in front knitting into same stitch twice, with yarn over the one stitch becomes three. I’d like to try it from the pattern.
Thanks
Hi Cheryl,
There are definitely multiple ways to modify this pattern to be knit flat, instead of in the round, but here’s the way I would do it: Cast on the same number of stitches as the pattern indicates (44 stitches). Follow the pattern as written (work in seed stitch), but in rows, not rounds. When you reach the row on which you’ll place the markers for the increases, place one marker after 11 stitches, and then the second marker 11 stitches before the end of the row. Then, just follow the pattern as written (but in rows) until the end, when you can seam up the back!
I’m also happy to clarify the kyok increase stitch! In this increase stitch, you create 3 stitches from 1 stitch. This is 2 more stitches than what was originally at that spot (3 – 1 = 2), so overall, the increase creates 2 new stitches!
All the best,
Lili
Haven’t got the yarn yet, hopefully my friend said they would get the bundle. On the increase row, I increase on the stitch right before the markers? Also, how many times do I go through back loop? I also do knit purl on the three increase stitches? I’m left with 52 stitches after the increases. I want to try and do it in the round when I get the yarn.
Hi Cheryl,
On the Increase Round, you will increase right after each marker, not before! The very first stitch of the Increase Round is the kyok increase stitch, so it occurs directly after the end-of-round marker, then, you work in the seed stitch pattern up to the next marker, slip that marker, and then work the next kyok increase.
Once you finish the increase round, you will work the next round in the seed stitch pattern, but remembering to knit the yo of the kyok through the back loop! This ends up being: purl the first stitch of the 3 stitches formed by the kyok, knit the second one through the back loop, and finally, purl the third stitch. Then, you can continue on in seed stitch!
All the best,
Lili
Hi – If I just want to do a simple scarf, seed stitch and on the long side, how many stitches to cast on and skeins of Fiddlehead would I need? Thanks!
Hi Sharon,
For a standard scarf in seed stitch (between 8 and 12 inches wide and 50 – 70 inches long), you would need between 3 and 6 skeins of Fiddlehead, depending on the dimensions you choose! To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest odd number of stitches. Then you work in seed stitch until the scarf is as long as you want!
All the best,
Lili
I love the look of this cowl but due to arthritis I am unable to knit, but I’m a bit more successful with crocheting. Any chance you can adjust the directions for crocheting ?
Thanks!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing in! I’m afraid that we haven’t yet written up a crochet version of this cowl, but that’s a great idea. I’d recommend using double crochet stitches in the round, and then repeating rounds of double crochet stitches until the cowl is as long as you’d like. You can even work multiple dc’s in the same stitch to increase the circumference, as the original pattern indicates! I hope this helps make the pattern more accessible for you.
All the best,
Lili
I do not see how the Kyok increases 2 stitches can you explain? Do you do the go on both knit stitches?if so shouldn’t the pattern be kyokyo?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d be happy to clarify the kyok increase! In this increase stitch, you are turning one stitch into three (and therefore increasing by two stitches because 3 – 1 = 2). You begin by knitting one stitch without taking it off the needle, then you work a yarn over, adding a second stitch, and finally, you knit a third stitch, completing the increase. I hope this helps clear things up!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Lili
Cheryl here, wanted to ask more questions about pattern. My friend is ordering the kit in the color Black Eyed Susan. On the increase row I do the increase on the stitch right before the marker? I guess that would be twice.
Ok on the row after that. If pattern says [P1, K1 through back loop(k1 tbl), P1, K1, repeat from *to next marker, sm]2 times. What does SM mean and how many times do I knit through back loop? So used to going into your store on Broome to buy yarn and get help with patterns. I like to think I’m an advanced knitter, but way some of the pattern is written is confusing me. Thanks
Hi again, Cheryl!
It looks like I answered some of your questions in my previous comment, but I’ll answer the rest here. You will only work one decrease per stitch marker (right after you slip the marker)! The pattern repeat within Next Round applies to the two sections of the pattern, delineated by the end-of-round marker and the other stitch marker you placed on the previous Next Round. On this round, you will purl the first stitch, then knit the next stitch through the back loop, work in pattern to the next marker slip that marker, and then repeat the same instructions once more (so, 2 times total). And “sm” just means “slip marker”!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, at the largest point, how many stitches are on the needle? Can it be cast on at that size and knit from there?
Hi Randi,
Thanks for reaching out. After working all the repeats of the Increase Round, you will end up with 52 stitches on your needle! You can absolutely use this number as your starting stitch count. Hope that helps!
All the best,
Lili
Since the yarn is so woolly, what difference would it make if I just knit this cowl in garter stitch? I am finding it difficult to see the seed stitch and it would be quicker to use garter.
Hi Sarah,
That’s a great idea! You can absolutely use garter stitch for this cowl, and the difference would be negligible. However, garter stitch generally has a much shorter row gauge than seed stitch, so you’ll likely use up more yarn to achieve the same length of the cowl. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hmmmm. Does the pattern in seed stitch use all the yarn?
If it doesn’t, I can just keep knitting to the correct length.
If there’s no extra yarn, the cowl will be shorter?
Thanks for your prompt response-and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Sarah,
Nope! With seed stitch, you’ll have about 40 yards left over, which is a pretty significant amount (more than half a skein). That should definitely be enough to reach the intended height in garter stitch.
All the best,
Lili
I am not clear on this instruction:
Beginning with Round 1 and ending with Round 2, continue in Seed Stitch until piece measures approximately 7¼ inches from cast-on edge.
After 4 inches is every odd row an increase round until I have 52 stitches? And then I continue with seed stitch until piece measures 11 inches?
Hi Nina,
Thanks for reaching out! After you work the Increase Round the first time, you will not repeat it again until your cowl reaches 7 1/4 inches. You will just continue in the normal seed stitch pattern until it’s time to work the Increase Round once more! Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Hello! I want to make this for a very small person (my fave sister-in-law) for her 95th(!) birthday. I’m concerned that the size of the cowl may overwhelm. Would it work if I made it in just one skein so it is not so deep?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for your question! We’re so honored that you’re thinking of making this cowl for such a special gift! You could certainly make it with just 1 skein of Fiddlehead and reduce the height. The original cowl uses 90yds of yarn and measures 11″ in height. Each skein is 65yds and with that amount you could make a cowl that’s just under 8″ in height or reduce it further based on preference. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Thank you for your advice! Most appreciated. 🙂
Need a pattern suggestion. I want to recreate those 1960s Italian alpaca or mohair bouclé sweaters —party sweaters! Like what Mary Tyler Moore would wear on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Fiddlehead looks perfect for the purpose, but I haven’t found the right pattern for this super bulky yarn on this site or on Ravelry. I’ve been knitting for 60+ years but this would be my first sweater, so I’d like an easy, v-neck or round neck, long sleeves, sweater pattern.
Any suggestions? Maybe the designers will be inspired?
Hi Virginia,
Thanks for reaching out, and that sounds like a great idea for a sweater! I’m afraid that we haven’t yet released a sweater design for Fiddlehead, but we do have one in the works…. I’d recommend keeping an eye on our website in the upcoming months!
All the best,
Lili
I am a petite person, and I’d love to make myself this cowl as I was gifted a skein of this beautiful yarn for Christmas.
I’m wondering if I should cast on fewer stitches to make the cowl a bit more narrow and to make this project with just one skein.
I’ve been sitting here trying to calculate the math but am still not sure how many stitches to reduce the cast-on by to make it smaller & only use 65 yards rather than 90.., Can you please help? ☺️
Hi Christy,
Thanks for reaching out! This definitely takes some complicated calculations, but I’ve figured out some new measurements for you so that you can use only 65 yards. I’d recommend knitting a cowl that has a 17-inch circumference at the top, a 20.5-inch circumference at the bottom, and a 9-inch height.
To do this, begin by casting on 38 stitches. Then, you’ll need to repeat the Increase Round a total of 4 times over the course of the cowl to bring the stitch count up to 46 stitches. You’ll just need to space these a bit differently so that you can work them over only 9 inches, rather than 11 inches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Oh my goodness – thank you so much for your helpful response, Lili!
I bought 2 balls if this yarn & would like to make it for 2 little girls 3 & 5. Just a simple cowl. How many stitches would you recommend to cast on & what size needle. Thank you
Hi Diane,
To determine which size needle to use, you’ll need to make a gauge swatch! You may need to size up or down your needles from the recommended size listed in the pattern, but once you’ve achieved gauge, you’re all set to start knitting.
To figure out your cast-on number, you can multiply the number of stitches per inch (2.25 stitches, based on the gauge) by the top circumference that you would like and cast on the nearest even number. Then you can follow the pattern essentially as written! The only thing to keep in mind is that on Next Row, you’ll want to place the stitch marker after exactly half the stitches on your needles.
All the best,
Lili
Dear Lili, i never got around to using this yarn & just decided to go on the site & find the pattern. Started to read through the questions & to my surprise came across mine & your reply!! So sorry this is a late thank you but, very much appreciated!!
Thank you,Diane
You’re very welcome, Diane! Glad to hear that you’re on your way with the pattern!
All the best,
Lili
I love this Fiddlehead yarn sooo much. However, I would love to simplify the pattern in order to be able to make a few cowls for Christmas gifts quickly. How can I knit this bottom-up and only have decreases until finished? I would like to knit stockinette on the right side and then turn it to the purl-side to wear. Would that work?
Hope you don’t mind the question!
Hi PT,
You can definitely make this pattern in stockinette and use decreases instead of increases! To do that, cast on the final stitch count, which is 52, and then work decreases instead of increases on the increase rounds until you have the starting stitch count of 44. Because Fiddlehead is so fluffy, there won’t be much of a visual difference between the knit and the purl side!
All the best,
Lili
Faithful, big fan of Purl Soho…, but this time….YIKES, fluffy Fiddlehead is driving me to distraction.
As an Extremely experienced knitter, still finding it challenging to ‘read the stitches,’ knits & purls are tough to see. Chanting k, p, for 45 stitches is, well, tedious & boring. Thoughts???
Hi Susan,
We completely understand, and I want to let you know that you’re not alone in that experience! Fiddlehead, like most boucle yarns, has hardly any stitch definition because of all the fluff. Yarns like this are great for a super cozy finished project, but they are certainly not the easiest yarn to knit with. We feel like the cowl is worth the extra effort, and we hope you think so too!
All the best,
Lili
“You can definitely make this pattern in stockinette and use decreases instead of increases! To do that, cast on the final stitch count, which is 52, and then work decreases instead of increases on the increase rounds until you have the starting stitch count of 44.”
I love the idea of making this cowl in stockinette. Just to clarify are you saying the entire piece could be done in stockinette with two decrease rows at 4” and 7 1/4”. Are 2 skeins enough? Could I use US11 needles where I’m getting 9 stitches and 14 rounds=4” in stockinette? Would it be better to do a few rows of 1×1 rib at the edges so they don’t curl? Or something else?
Hi Stevee,
It looks like the person I was replying to in that comment also had some other ideas for modifying the cowl! Did you also want to use decreases rather than increases? The cowl will still work in stockinette if you stick with the increases, but you could also make additional changes and use decreases. But it will be simpler just to stick with increases and only change the stitch pattern!
In answer to your other questions, 2 skeins will still be enough, and I’d recommend using the needle size that will get you closest to the gauge of the pattern. And yes, using a different stitch at the edges is a great idea to avoid any curling!
All the best,
Lili
I’m also considering using the stockinette stitch, with increases. To clarify, using the stockinette stitch, Rounds 1 & 2 would just be knit, after reaching 4″, then the next round would be: K11 (add sm, repeat to end. Increase round would be: Kyok, K to next sm, repeat. The next round would be: K1, K1tbl, K to next sm, repeat. After 7 1/4″, repeat the increase rounds and then K until 11″.
Would this use more yarn than the seed stitch as I’m also making the Toasty Hat (I have 2 skeins)?
Thank you!
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! You’ll actually need to knit 22 stitches before placing the marker, since that would be halfway around the round. Other than that, you would just follow the pattern as written, but you’d knit every stitch instead of purling some of them! It should use approximately the same amount of yarn, but maybe slightly less.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much, Lili, for your fast reply! I finished the Toasty Hat, which is lovely, and will start on the cowl now! Really enjoying the fiddlehead yarn!
Thanks again,
Mary
I have become obsessed with purl soho yarns and designs! THANK YOU. The comments sent in and replies to them have answered many of my own questions. The Fiddlehead yarn is very hard to read but I keep trying.
The best to you this holiday season.
Hi Lorri,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re glad to hear that the comment section has proven useful to you!
All the best,
Lili
I’m confused about the increase row (KYOK). It says to “repeat from * two times” but that means doing only ONE increase at the beginning of the row. Which aspect of the pattern is reaped twice? From the asterisk or from the beginning of the row?
Hi Heidi,
The section of this instruction that’s repeated is the section that’s inside the square brackets! This includes the KYOK, so you will end up working that stitch twice.
All the best,
Lili
Can you confirm, there are only TWO stitch markers? Because on the row where you place the stitch marker, you only place one marker (after the [P1, K1] 11 times. So two total stitch markers – one unique at beginning of row. Please confirm. Thanks!
Hi Heidi,
Yes, there are two stitch markers! There’s the beginning/end-of round marker, which you’ve had on your needles since the first round, and then there’s the other marker you place on “Next Round.”
All the best,
Lili
How do you print the pattern without all of the photos? Not seeing text only option when I click on Print. Thanks.
Hi Helen,
Thanks for your question! Here’s how we recommend printing free patterns from our website:
If you’re on your computer, you’ll find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find the “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Click on this button, and a window will pop up where you can delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print. When you hover over any image or a text block, it will be highlighted in yellow and a “trash” icon will appear. Just click on this icon to delete anything that’s not necessary to the pattern! Then, just click on the “Print” button in the upper left-hand corner of the pop-up window. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat