Mommy + Me Kid's Knit Cowl Pattern

Cowls.

Scarves.

Fluffy hair.

I like me some neck coverage.

Covering up your neck really does make you warmer. And fancier. And woolier.

I have probably a dozen patterned scarves, but I tend to always go back to a few of my favorite knit and crocheted cowls. Perhaps it's because they don't compete with my shirt. Perhaps it's because I'm too lazy to go upstairs and get something different out of the closet.

Either way, my daughter sees me with yarn around my neck quite often. Which is probably why she asked me to make her her own hand knit cowl.

*Insert mom jumping up and down because she sees an appreciation in her daughter for something that she too appreciates and she thinks, for once, that maybe she's helping to raise a good kid.*

Or, at least a crafty kid.

Needless to say, I was all over a pint-sized cowl. Together, we decided on Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn because it's fluffy and affordable.

(I half expected that the second I finished the cowl and draped it around her neck she was gonna say, "Psych! Mom, I'm almost three and I change my mind more often than you change my sister's diapers. Did you really think I was going to wear this thing?!") I wasn't about to cloak the kid in cashmere.

This yarn worked great though and the pattern is perfect for beginners or knitters who are new to circular or double pointed needles. Because the cowl is made from bulky yarn, I knit the entire scarf in less than 1.5 hours, about 2-3 minutes of knitting at a time. I'm not joking. There are a lot of interruptions around here these days. And probably for the next 18 years.[rad_rapidology_inline optin_id="optin_1"]I'm including instructions on how to knit bigger sizes in case you want to make a matching one for an older sibling or yourself. This would even be a great beginner knitting pattern if you skipped the circular needles and instead knit the rectangle on straight needles and then sewed it into a loop. If you're a beginner knitter and have no idea what I'm talking about, let me know in the comments and I'll explain!

Just Like Mommy Knit Cowl Pattern
Materials:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (color-monarch)
size 15 (9") circular needles (or double pointed needles)

Abbreviations:
CO: cast on
k2tog: knit two stitches together

Toddler Size (approximately age 2-5)
CO: Cast on 41 stitches. Join for working the round by slipping the last stitch on your right needle to the left and knitting the first two stitches together (40). Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in the round. Cont until piece measures 9.5".
Cast off. Weave in ends.

Bigger Kid Size (approximately age 6-12)
CO: Cast on 45 stitches. Join for working the round by slipping the last stitch on your right needle to the left and knitting the first two stitches together (44). Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in the round. Cont until piece measures 10.5".
Cast off. Weave in ends.

Teenager/Adult Size*
CO: Cast on 49 stitches. Join for working the round by slipping the last stitch on your right needle to the left and knitting the first two stitches together (48). Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in the round. Cont until piece measures 11".
Cast off. (Depending on how tight or loose you knit, you may use up the skein a bit sooner, in which case, just begin to cast off before you're out of yarn!) Weave in ends.
*In this bigger size, you might prefer to have the cowl taper a bit toward your face so that it is less of a scoop-neck style. It's just a matter of preference. If this is the case, complete the pattern as follows:
CO: Cast on 49 stitches. Join for working the round by slipping the last stitch on your right needle to the left and knitting the first two stitches together (48). Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in the round. Cont until piece measures 10". Then decrease as follows:
[k2tog, k10] 4 times. (44 stitches)
k three rows
Cast off. Weave in ends.

Wouldn't matching cowls be the perfect mother/daughter, brother/sister or BFF DIY gifts this Christmas? Our necks certainly think so.

And if you're into adorable kids' winter-wear, you might also like these free patterns:
Aspen Socialite Crochet Headband
Santa's Helper Crochet Elf Hat (With Ears!)
Frosty the Snowman Crochet Hat