Learn to Knit the Arabesque Knit Cowl

Today, I’m sharing the Arabesque Knit Cowl, an easy knitting pattern for beginners. While it may be labeled as a beginner knitting project, anyone can knit it. I’ll show you.

Knitted cowls are wonderful accessories that provide warmth while adding lots of style. This particular pattern is just such a knit.

Using large, circular knitting needles and worsted weight yarn, you can create this Arabesque Knit Cowl for yourself. It involves simple garter stitch and flat knitting. Easy.

Now, let’s talk about some of the knitting techniques you’ll need to know.

Knitting Techniques

This easy cowl knitting pattern gives you an opportunity to practice your knitting basics.

Here’s a list of the knitting techniques you’ll need to know:

• How to Tie a Slip Knot.
• The Long Tail Cast On Method.
• How to Measure Your Yarn for a Long Tail Cast On.
• Knitting Garter Stitch.
• How to Bind Off in Knitting.

If you feel uncertain about any of the above techniques, just click on the link for the knitting tutorial.

Really, though, this is an easy knit cowl pattern for beginners. It requires you to knit back and forth on circular knitting needles. You could also knit this cowl with straight needles. Just make sure they're long enough to hold your stitches.

Now, let’s get into the knitting supplies you’ll need. Then, I’ll explain how to knit this cowl.

Cowl Knitting Supplies

The Arabesque Knit Cowl pattern gets it interesting color play by knitting with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn. This simple double stranded technique creates a super bulky weight yarn, which makes an oversized hooded cowl. Perfect for any weather.

Unfortunately, the variegated yarn I used for this project has been discontinued. Sadly, I don’t even have the ball band to name the color specifically. The solid color I used, Navy, is still available, and there are other variegated color options available.

Of the solid colors from Hobby Lobby, each ball comes with 355 yards (325 meters). The print colors come with 252 yards (230 meters) of yarn. Combined they make this really nice marled effect. Whatever brand you choose, be sure to get enough in the same dye lot to finish this knitting project.

If you have other acrylic, worsted weight yarn preferences, here are some suitable alternatives. Yarnsub.com lists the following as great yarn substitutions for this chunky knit cowl.

Color Pooling

What I love about variegated yarns like the ones used here is how randomly the colors pool. It is this pooling which led me to call this the Arabesque Knit Cowl.

According to Encyclopedia.com, an arabesque is “an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines[…]”. The color pooling, along with the subtle patterning, felt both like a dancing design between the colors. The name just fit perfectly.

Knitting Gauge

Speaking of perfect, I have some good news. Gauge is not critical for this knitting project. Yay!

Finished measurements: 17” H (43 cm) X 32” W (81 cm) unseamed.

Now, let’s get down to it.

Arabesque Knit Cowl

As I mentioned before, the Arabesque Knit Cowl works up quick with two strands of worsted weight yarn. The pattern knits up sideways in garter stitch, which means you knit every row. If you prefer, you could also purl every row. Go crazy.

As the pattern works up flat, knitting back and forth, the garter stitch will be vertical when worn. As such, the cowl is long enough and slouchy enough to wear as a hooded cowl. Super stylish and cozy.

Here you can see, the garter stitch creates this beautiful knit texture. Also, since garter stitch is a reversible knitting stitch pattern, both sides will look great.

What’s even better about this simple knit cowl pattern is that this reversible cowl knitting pattern doubles as a hooded cowl.

Versatility! I love it.

Here's another Arabesque Knit Cowl I've started in purple-toned colors.

Finally, when you’re finished knitting, you seam the ends together. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. You can totally knit this!

Here's how.

Knit This Garter Stitch Cowl

First, with your knitting needles and yarn, make a slip knot. Then, cast on (CO) 48 stitches using the long tail cast on.

Now, beginning with the knit stitch, begin knitting. You’ll knit back and forth in garter stitch (or purl stitch) for this entire project. Once your cowl is 36” long, you can bind off (BO).

NOTE: Before cutting the bind off tail with your scissors, measure the height of the cowl. Then, measure out 3 lengths of yarn for seaming.

For example, the finished height of this cowl is 17” so you’ll measure out 51” of yarn. Seventeen times three equals fifty-one (17 x 3 = 51).

Now, cut your yarn, and grab your tapestry needle to begin seaming. More on how to create an invisible seam with mattress stitch coming up next.

Finally, don’t be afraid to go back to the knitting tutorials if you’re uncertain about anything. Practice and repetition is how we learn.

Here's a simplified version of the cowl knitting pattern.

Seaming Your Knitting

At last, the final step to this knitted cowl is seaming the ends of your knitting together.

The best way to seam your knitting is to use the mattress stitch. Using this technique, you'll create an invisible seam. Here’s a great knitting tutorial on mattress stitch knitting.

For this step, you’ll need your tapestry needle, scissors, and only one strand of worsted weight yarn.

Now, line up the sides and thread your needle. Begin from the bottom and work your way up.

When you’re done seaming your knitting, you’re done. Acrylic yarn doesn’t require blocking, so there's no need to block this cowl. Plus, since acrylic is machine washable, it'll be so easy to care for.

All that’s left to do is wear your new Arabesque Knit Cowl and be proud of your accomplishment!

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And there you have it, the Arabesque Knit Cowl! A super easy garter stitch knitted cowl pattern, which also doubles as a hooded cowl.

Dive into your stash of worsted weight yarn and create your own super bulky yarn combination. The possibilities are endless.

It’s easy knitting for beginners or knitters of any experience level.

Speaking of easy, don’t forget to check out our other beginner knitting project patterns.

• Fingerless Knit Gloves.
• Garter Stitch Scarf for Beginners.
• Knit Baby Blanket Patterns.
• More Knitted Cowl Patterns.

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How was your experience learning how to knit this Arabesque Knit Cowl? I’d love to hear about it! Also, don’t forget to share your finished objects with me.

Drop me a line. You can also follow me on Instagram @Knitfarious. I look forward to seeing you.

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• Free Cowl Knitting Patterns for Beginners
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• Electric Love Mosaic Cowl Knitting Pattern
• Knitting 101: How to Knit the Knit Stitch
• How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners: Step by Step