"The Huggle" Hooded Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

This hooded cowl free knitting pattern is a true showstopper! Even in all it's oversized glory, this statement piece is very simple to create which makes it a great introduction to knitting in the round. As always, you'll find the free pattern below or you can purchase the inexpensive, printable PDF here.

 This easy beginner's knitted cowl pattern is a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

Super warm. Super stylish. Super easy. What more could you want? This free hooded cowl pattern is like that friend who has really good teeth and a husband who loves to vacuum. 

When I asked on Instagram recently if people would like to see knitting patterns on Make and Do Crew, the answer was a resounding yes. Then I sent out my 2017 reader survey (which you can still take here!) and lots of you agreed.

So, here we go. This is the first of several free knitting patterns you'll see here on Make and Do Crew in the months ahead. If you're a die-hard "hooker" though, don't worry, there will be still be enough free crochet patterns and tutorials to keep you busy too.

The name of this hooded cowl free knitting pattern came from my daughter. When she was about 3-years-old, she climbed in bed with me and said with complete ernest, "Mommy can we huggle?" I'd be lying if I said I absolutely loved every moment of being a mom, but I feel so lucky to be a participant in moments like this.

It's a cowl. It's a hood. It's crazy cozy wrapped around your neck. Sounds pretty "huggle"-ish to me.

"The Huggle" hooded cowl knitting pattern is seriously simple to create. It's a great project for an advanced beginner who wants to practice working in the round with double pointed needles. Oh yeah, and anyone who likes looking like a North Pole princess. Make it with two squishy skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Bonus Bundle!

UPDATE: Lion Brand has created a kit that includes all the yarn you need to make this knit hooded cowl as well as a copy of the printable pattern. You can score the kit for 20% off through March 19, 2017! Check out the Huggle Hooded Cowl kit here.

Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell or donate with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post and credit me as the designer. You can view all my policies here. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. ­­Now go make something awesome!

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this post and enabling more free patterns on Make & Do Crew. All opinions and ideas are my own.  

“The Huggle” Hooded Cowl Free Knitting Pattern

Purchase the ad-free printable PDF of this pattern here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Sizes + Measurements:
One size fits most adults
• 25” long
• 30” circumference around shoulders (unstretched)

Supplies:
So you can spend more time being cozy and less time shopping, this pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• (2) Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Bonus Bundle in “Fisherman” - approx. 400 yards/680 g (Alternatively you can use 4 balls of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick)
• Tapestry needle
• Size 13 [9mm] 24" circular knitting needles 
• Sewing needle and thread to match yarn (for attaching pop poms)
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• 2.5”x5” piece of cardboard for making pom poms (or pom pom maker)

Gauge:
• 9.5 stitches = 4”, 15 rows = 4” worked in stockinette

Abbreviations (US Terms):
co – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit two together (decrease)
st – stitch
bo – bind off

To Make Hooded Cowl

Notes:
• You want to cast on very loosely. I used the long tail cast on. Holding both needles together and casting around both of them can create nice loose stitches.

Work Ribbing:

Cast on 80.

Join for working in the round being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker between first and last stitch.

Round 1: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of round. (80 stitches)

Continue in ribbing pattern (Round 1) until piece measures 4” from bottom edge.

Work In Stockinette:

Round 2: K each stitch. (80 stitches)

Continue in stockinette pattern until piece measures 7.5” from bottom of ribbing.

Decrease:

Round 3: [K 8, k2tog] 8 times. (72 stitches)

Work In Stockinette:

Continue in stockinette pattern (Round 2) until piece measures 27.5” from bottom of ribbing.

Bind off loosely, leaving a 30” tail for sewing hood cuff.

Finishing

Cut three 50” strands of yarn. Braid the strands and tie a tight knot on either end of the braid, approximately 28” apart. Trim excess braid leaving a 28” braid with a knot at each end.

Create two pom poms using either a pom pom maker or a piece of cardboard. (Here’s a tutorial for the cardboard technique.) Lay braid across the foundation piece of pom pom yarn and wrap dozens of times around cardboard. (The point it to secure braid inside pom pom.) See photo below for details. I recommend making your pom poms larger than you think you’ll want and then trimming so that you can create extra dense little fluffy balls.

Using a needle and sewing thread, pass needle back and forth through the pom pom and braid to secure them together tightly. Fasten off.

Fold the top of the cowl over so that right sides are facing and the cuff is about 2” tall. Place braid in cuff. Pin down using stitch markers. Using the tail from the stockinette section and a tapestry needle, whip stitch around cuff leaving a 4” opening for the pom pom strands to hang through.

Weave in any remaining ends.

Pop your hood up or down—either way you’ll be the most stylish lady in town! 

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.­

If you like making your own accessories, you might also like these free patterns:

Nordic Crochet Super Scarf - free pattern
Free Knit Boot Toppers Pattern

Crochet "Cabin Boots" with Flip Flop Soles - free pattern and video tutorial