• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Studio
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

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 an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

Previous Post: « Picks of the Week
Next Post: Plans & Goals for 2015 »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Low Tide CowlLow Tide Cowl
  • Checked Snood – free knitting patternChecked Snood – free knitting pattern
  • Fisherman’s Rib Baby BlanketFisherman’s Rib Baby Blanket
  • Classic Slouchy BeanieClassic Slouchy Beanie

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

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

Trackbacks

  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:
    January 14, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    […]  http://www.handsoccupied.com/2015/01/long-john-cowl-pattern/ […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Heidi Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

work with heidi

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Get a free pattern + biweekly updates sent to your inbox.

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
.
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
.
.
A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
.
.
See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
.
.
Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
.
.
rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
.
.
Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
.
Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy