Hooded Cowl Knitting Pattern 

This hooded cowl scarf was so fun and easy to make. I love knitting in the round and somehow it seems so much easier. 

I also love the fact that when I knit in the round there are no seams when I'm finished. 

That's what makes this cowl scarf a nice and easy knitting project.

If you are new to circular knitting this hooded cowl is great for you to start with. In fact it doesn't get any easier than this. 

How To Knit A Hooded Cowl Scarf With Any Yarn

This is just an example. The pattern for my hooded cowl is below.

It's very simple. First you need to know how many stitches per inch you have so you need to knit a gauge swatch.

Let's say your swatch reads 3 stitches per inch.  

Measure your head or the head of the person you're making the hooded cowl for and let's pretend the measurement is 20 inches.

Are you wondering how to properly measure your head? I've made a page all about it for my hat knitting tips so here you go.

When you check out that page I'll show you how to measure your head circumference and also how to measure your head for length as well.

The length isn't as important for my hooded cowl but it's still very handy knitting information for your toolbox especially when you want to knit a hat.   

So let's continue on here...you're pretend measurement was 20 inches.

Multiply the head measurement by the stitches per inch:

20 inches X 3 sts per inch = 60 stitches

Now that will work however you might want to consider 'ease'. 

What does 'ease' mean in knitting?  It means that you need to give a little extra room in your garment or in this cast hood. You don't want it to be too tight.

All you need to do is add a couple of extra inches (or more if you want it really loose) to the head measurement.

Here's how to calculate it:

20 inches (head measurement) + 2 inches = 22 inches X 3 sts per inch = 66 sts to cast on. 

That's all there is to it.  Pretty simple right?  Now you're ready to go.

One more note about hooded cowls.  Keep in mind that in order to make a cowl into a hooded one you'll need to make the length at least 20- 22 inches long.

That way it'll cover your head nicely and comfortably cover your neck as well.

If you'd like to download this knitting pattern please click here

Hooded Cowl Pattern Details

Knitting Skills:  Circular knitting, knit, cast on, bind off

Materials:  1 skein worsted weight (medium) yarn, approximately 100 grams

Circular needles:  16 inch length circulars, size US 8 (5.00mm)

Gauge:  4.5 sts and 6 row = 1 inch

NOTES:  Here's a little knitting tip and what I like to do before joining my work in the round. 

As you may know it's really important to make sure that none of the stitches are twisted around the needle. 

If they are you'll have to rip your knitting out. So I like to knit flat for a couple of rows before I join my work. 

That way it's easier to see if my work is twisted or not.

When I knitted this hooded cowl I knit 4 rows of Garter stitch flat.  You could of course knit Stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) if you wish. It doesn't matter. Then I joined my work.

That way when you join your work to knit in the round it'll be easier to see whether the stitches are twisted.

Note:  If you'd like to see how to cast on for knitting in the round please click on the link and I'll show you how.  

Hooded Cowl Knitting Pattern

Cast on 92 stitches and don't join. 

Knit 4 rows Garter stitch

When you finish the 4 rows, straighten out your knitting and make sure your stitches aren't twisted around the needle. 

Join work and place a marker at the beginning of your work so that you know where your round begins.

Knit around and around for at least 20 inches ending with 4 rows of Garter stitch just like in the beginning.

Finish:  Bind off very loosely. Seam those 4 rows of garter stitch you did before joining your work, weave in ends.

Happy Knitting!

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