Button Cowl Knitting Pattern

Button Cowl Knitting Pattern by Plymouth Yarn

Project Overview

The Button Cowl is a one-size-fits-all knitted cowl design from Plymouth Yarn's Design Studio, offered free with yarn purchase. This versatile neck accessory measures 24 inches in diameter and 7 inches in height, making it an ideal layering piece for cooler weather.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a circular cowl—a tubular knitted garment worn around the neck. The cowl features a two-color construction using contrasting yarns worked simultaneously, and is finished with decorative button loops along the bind-off edge for a functional and stylish closure.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Coffee Beenz by Plymouth Yarn, 100g total; 2 balls required (1 ball in Color A, shown as shade 9456, and 1 ball in Color B, shown as shade 9204)
• Needles: US Size 8 needles and a cable needle
• Notions: 6 Dill buttons, 20 mm (#330325)

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches on US Size 8 needles, or whatever size is necessary to obtain this gauge. The finished cowl is one size that fits all, with dimensions of 24 inches in diameter and 7 inches in height.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Two-Color Stranded Knitting: The cowl is constructed by casting on and working two colors simultaneously. The pattern includes specific instructions for crossing yarns at the center intersection to prevent holes, with the rule that the old color goes under and the new color goes over.
• Ribbed Fabric: The foundation of the cowl is worked in 1x1 rib (alternating knit and purl stitches), which creates vertical lines and provides elasticity and structure.
• Cable Stitches: Two cable variations are featured—C8RibF (cable 8 rib front) and C8RibB (cable 8 rib back)—which add textural dimension. These cables are created by slipping 4 stitches onto a cable needle, holding them to the front or back of the work, and then working the stitches in a specific sequence.
• Buttonhole Bind-Off: The pattern concludes with a specialized bind-off technique that creates 6 button loops evenly spaced along the edge, allowing the cowl to be fastened with buttons.

Pattern Construction

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 64 stitches total (32 stitches in Color A and 32 stitches in Color B). The main pattern repeat spans rows 3 through 8 and is repeated until the piece reaches the desired length of 24 inches, ending on row 4. The pattern alternates between rows of simple ribbing and rows featuring cable crosses, creating a balanced design that combines texture with wearability. The bind-off is worked using a specialized buttonhole technique that simultaneously finishes the edge and creates functional loops for button closure.

Finished Details

Six decorative buttons are sewn through the loops created during the bind-off process, adding both functional closure and visual embellishment to the cowl. The two-color construction and cable details create a sophisticated, modern aesthetic suitable for various style preferences.