Chunky Basket Weave Cowl Knitting Pattern

This chunky basket weave cowl features a cozy texture that’s so squishy, easy to knit and customizable. The basket weave stitch is a great beginner knitting stitch. Knit it with this chunky yarn and it works up quickly, making it a great last-minute knitting project.

Get the Basket Weave Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

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About the Pattern

This pattern features a simple 4 row repeat that’s easy to memorize and gives you the perfect amount of cozy squishiness.

Also, I’ve included 2 patterns, one for a beginner knitter and one for an advanced beginner if you’d like to create a nice pretty edge.

  • Available Sizes: One (easily customizable)
  • Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
  • Pattern Language: English
  • Skill Level: Beginner & Advanced Beginner
  • PDF Format: Printer Friendly

This pattern features a crop cowl that’s worn off the shoulder, however check this cowl out if you’re looking for an oversized chunky cowl to cozy up in!

Techniques

Here are some of the knitting skills you need to know before starting the basket weave knitting pattern:

This cowl is knit flat using straight knitting needles. It’s an easy beginner pattern using only knit and purl stitches.

  • Knit Flat (Back & Forth)
  • Knit & Purl Stitches
  • Clean Edge

No increases, decreases or shaping.

WHAT’S TO LOVE!?

  • Quick & easy pattern
  • Squishy texture
  • Beginner friendly version
  • 2 styles in one
  • Easily customizable
  • Cozy warmth

Yarn & Substitutions

You can knit this cowl in a bulky weight yarn or worsted weight yarn, just keep in mind that you’ll want to cast-on more stitches to get the same width and knit extra rows to get your desired length.

How many skeins of yarn do I need for a cowl? You’ll need about 2 skeins of super bulky yarn for this chunky knit cowl.

I, personally, like using LBT&Q because it’s affordable, squishy & durable. Plus, using super bulky yarn makes for a quick knitting project. Which is great for my short attention span! ;) Also, it’s a wool & acrylic fiber blend, which I think is what makes it warmer and more durable than other options. Meaning, I can throw it in the washer and dryer with no worries.

Alternative Yarn Substitute:
Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick which is 100% recycled polyester.

Lion Brand HomeTown Yarn which is a 100% acrylic yarn. I’ve used this yarn before and it works interchangeably with LB Thick & Quick.

If you’re looking for other substitutes, I recommend checking out YarnSub.com for other yarn options. They’re an excellent resource!

Get the Basket Weave Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

Needles & Notions

Option: You can knit this cowl flat using circular knitting needles. I find it easier to knit flat with circular cable knitting needles because they’re lighter, so my muscles don’t have to work as hard and I can knit longer. :)

Gauge

9 STS & 14 rows per 4” (10cm) square, knit in the basketweave stitch

Measurements

Measurements, before seaming: 13″ x 30″ length (33cm x 76cm)
Weight: 9.7oz (275g)

How long should my cowl be? It depends on your size and style. I’ve found my favorite size of cowl to be one that fits comfortably around my shoulders when stretched and then it fits comfortably on my shoulders when relaxed. Then I get to have 2 styles of cowl in one. it’s a win-win!

How to Customize

What I like about this pattern, is that the cast-on edge is the width, so it’s easy to alter. The number of cast-on stitches is width, which goes from my elbow to a little above my shoulder so I get a little bit of scrunch when I wear it off my shoulder. It’s easy to “try on” as you go too! Then I knit it until it wraps comfortably around me, bind-off and then whip stitch the seam closed.

Notes

Not reversible.
Knit side to side, the CO edge is the height
Knit using the basketweave knitting stitch.

What’s the Difference Between a Cowl and an Infinity Scarf?

What is a cowl? A cowl is typically a smaller loop, or circle, wrapped once around your neck.

What’s an infinity scarf? An infinity scarf is a long loop that you twist, making it look like the infinity sign, wrapping it twice around your neck.

Knitting Abbreviations

*– * – repeat between * to end of round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side
WYIF – with yarn in front

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Get the Basket Weave Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

Beginner Pattern

In this pattern you’re going to knit the cowl flat, row by row, back & forth.

CO 31 STS

Row 1 (WS): P1 *K2, P1*
Detailed Instructions:
Purl the first stitch, repeat in the knit 2, purl 1 pattern for the remainder of the row.

Row 2 (RS): *K1, P2* K1
Detailed Instructions:
Repeat in the knit 1, purl 2 pattern until you have one stitch remaining and then knit the last stitch.

Row 3 (WS): *P*
Detailed Instructions:
Purl all of the stitches in this row.

Row 4 (RS): *K*
Detailed Instructions:
Knit all of the stitches in this row.

Repeat rows 1-4 until it measures 30″ from the beginning or desired length.

End on a row 4 and then bind-off in all knit stitches.

Weave in the ends.

Blocking is optional. Keep in mind that blocking it will make it a little longer and wider and will relax the stitches, so if you want it to stand tall then skip blocking it.

Expert tip: To make it wider, cast-on in multiples of 3+1.

Get the Basket Weave Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

Advanced Beginner Pattern

In this pattern you’re going to knit the cowl flat, row by row, back & forth.

CO 30 STS

Row 1 (WS): WYIF S1PW, P1 *K2, P1* last stitch: WYIF SIPW
Detailed Instructions:
On the first stitch, bring the yarn into the front of your needle, slip 1 stitch purl-wise. Next, purl 1 stitch, repeat in the knit 2, purl 1 pattern until you have 1 stitch remaining on your working needles.
For the last stitch, with the yarn in front slip the 1 stitch purl-wise.

Row 2 (RS): K1TBL *K1, P2* last 2 sts: K1, K1TBL
Detailed Instructions:
Knit into the back loop of the first stitch.
Next, repeat in the knit 1, purl 2 pattern until you have 2 stitches remaining on your working needles.
Knit the second to last stitch.
Knit into the back loop of the last stitch.

Row 3 (WS): WYIF S1PW *P* last stitch: WYIF SIPW
Detailed Instructions:
Knit into the back loop of the first stitch.
Next, repeat in the knit 1, purl 2 pattern until you have 2 stitches remaining on your working needles.
Knit the second to last stitch.
Knit into the back loop of the last stitch.

Row 4 (RS): K1TBL *K* last stitch: K1TBL
Detailed Instructions:
Knit into the back loop of the first stitch.
Knit all of the stitches in this row until you have 1 stitch remaining on your working needles.
Knit into the back loop of the last stitch.

Repeat rows 1-4 until it measures 30″ from the beginning or desired length.

End on a row 4 and then BO in all knit stitches.

Expert tip: I like to BO a little tightly to help keep the seam narrower, it tends to flare out when it’s seamed.

Cut the yarn leaving a long yarn tail, sew the CO & BO edges together. The kitchener stitch gives you a nice seamless look, however it creates a bit of bulk, so I like to use the whip stitch. Pick whichever one works best for you. :)

Weave in the ends.

Blocking is optional. Keep in mind that blocking it will make it a little longer and wider and will relax the stitches, so if you want it to stand tall then skip blocking it.

Expert tip: To make the advanced version wider or narrower, cast-on in multiples of 3.

I know many of you enjoy working from a paper copy of your knitting pattern that’s why I offer a printer-friendly PDF completely ad-free on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

That way you can have lifetime access to it and download it to any device and view it from anywhere, without ads {and the pattern might not be around forever}.

The ads on this website make it possible for me to offer the patterns for free, that way you can try it before you buy it. :)

More easy cowl patterns you’ll love

Get the Basket Weave Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

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