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Long John Cowl Pattern

January 12, 2015 13 Comments

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

As I said last week, it’s another cold January in Chicago this year! It’s not quite the polar vortex level of cold temps of 30 below from last year, but it’s been close. A Fargo native, I can handle my cold weather. Part of handling cold weather in chill-town (see what I did there? Like Chi-town, eh? Eh?), is leaving the house prepared. Not unlike the Faux Woven Cowl designed during last year’s polar vortex, the Long John Cowl is all about comfortably keeping warm and layering for the cold.

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

The weave of the Long John Cowl is accomplished by working two rows of knitting, and two rows with slipped stitches. I intentionally designed this cowl so it’s a little tall. Between its height, structure of the stitches, and the chunky yarn used to make it, the Long John Cowl (LJC) keeps your face shielded by staying up while you walk around the big city (or any city).

The LJC  also, by virtue of being a variation of your standard stockinette stitch, it is right at home if you roll up the top and bottom hems. As you can see below, it rolls up into a nice donut shape, which is how I’ve been wearing this cowl indoors. When you’re dealing with subzero temps, accessorizing with neckwarmers both indoors and out is a must. But you don’t necessarily want want 2/3 of your face covered when you’re trying to get some work done.

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

Long John Cowl – The Pattern

Supplies
2-3 skeins Spud & Chloe Outer in Rhino
size 11 US needles
tapestry needle or crochet hook for weaving in ends

Abbreviations
CO – cast on
sts – stitches
k – knit
p – purl
sl – slip
wyib – with yarn in back (hold the yarn on the wrong side of the work as you, in this pattern’s case, slip a stitch)
BO – bind off

CO 72 sts and join into a circle. This pattern is worked in the round.

1-2. k around
3. k1, sl 1 wyib
4. p1, sl 1 wyib

Repeat rows 1 through 4 to desired length. BO all stitches, break yarn and weave in ends.

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

See? Doesn’t the outside of the LJC look just like long john fabric? The little squares repeating throughout the cowl act as little heat pockets to hold in your body warmth despite cold temps and windchill.

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

I think I’ve made a decent case here for the Long John Cowl, but I’ll leave you with this: an outtake from the below-zero backyard photo shoot for this post. That’s right! I took photos outside when it was below zero wearing a sweater, gloves and the LJC. The glasses fogging thing was a bit of a problem, but hey! The cowl was warm. I deem this cowl cold-tested, Fargo native-approved.

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

 

Filed Under: Free Patterns, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: chicago, convertible cowl, cowl pattern, free knitting pattern, knitting pattern, LJC, long john cowl, polar vortex

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Denise

    January 12, 2015 at 9:21 am

    Once again your amazing…I just love this.

    Reply
  2. sewbusy

    January 13, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    so did you use double pointed needles or circular needles to work it “in the round”?

    thanks,

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 13, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      You can use either. Whichever you’re more comfortable with! :)

      Reply
  3. Lettie Conlin

    January 14, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    Thank you very much for this delightful pattern! Warm and stylish!!

    Reply
  4. GG

    January 14, 2015 at 11:12 pm

    This is super cute! I found you on Instagram and you are now my fiber friend in my head!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 15, 2015 at 8:15 am

      Haha, I am 100% the same way with Instagram! :D

      Reply
  5. Bonnie Haddad

    January 17, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Bonnie – Love this cowl. How tall did you make yours? Thanks

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 18, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      Mine’s 12 inches tall and the circumference is about 29 inches. :)

      Reply
  6. Naomi

    January 21, 2015 at 12:26 am

    Dear Heidi,

    I found your website is very useful.
    But anyway,
    is this long john cowl pattern row 4 is : P1, sl1 wyiB instead of wyiF?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 21, 2015 at 11:27 am

      Since its worked in the round instead of flat, it should be wyib both times.

      Reply
  7. GG

    January 24, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    I have some burly spun, that should work right? Or should I go up a needle size?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 25, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      The yarn’s website says they recommend a size 13 needle, so you might want a bigger needle and to cast on fewer stitches.

      Reply

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  1. Wow, Sew a Simple Spring Table Runner and Placemat Combo! DIY Heart Handwarmers! Crochet a Long John Cowl Pattern! Craft a Bow-Tie Patchwork Pillow! Felt an Amazing Pair of Love Birds! Dye Watercolor Napkins! Instagram Magnets! PLUS . . . Recipes, Inspira says:
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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, sleeves & collar to go! 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #knitting #knittersofinstagram #handknitting #seamedsweater #wip #wipwednesday #knitlove
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
.
All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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