The All the Hype Striped Knit Cowl
The All the Hype Striped Cowl is a free knit pattern designed by Marly Bird, worked in the round with bold 2-row stripes, a jogless color-join technique, and Latvian braid detailing at the top and bottom edges. It's an easy-level project that measures 30″ around and 13½” tall after blocking, making it a fast, scrap-friendly knit for advanced beginners and beyond.
⚡ Quick Answer:
This free knit cowl pattern uses six colors of worsted weight yarn worked in 2-row stripes, with a Latvian braid at each edge for a polished finish. It's rated Easy, uses about 6 balls total, and knits up in an evening or two once you've got the stripe rhythm down.
Hey, bestie 💛 If you've been following along, you know I'm a sucker for a good stash-busting stripe project… and this one might be my favorite yet. The cowls and snoods in my pattern library tend to be quick, satisfying knits, and this one adds a little extra flair with a technique I'm genuinely obsessed with: the Latvian braid. 🧶
💖 Why You'll Love This Pattern
🧶 It's a true stash project. You only need 2 balls of your main color plus a single ball each of five accent colors… perfect for using up odds and ends from your stash.
✨ The Latvian braid makes it feel special. This little detail at the top and bottom edges adds texture and visual interest without adding real difficulty… it just takes a little patience and a video to walk you through it.
🎯 It teaches a genuinely useful skill. The jogless color-join technique in this pattern is one you'll use again and again anytime you're striping in the round… once you learn it here, you'll never look at a striped hat or cowl the same way.
This is your pattern if you love bold color, want to use up leftover worsted weight yarn, and are ready to learn one or two new techniques without committing to a whole sweater. You'll come away knowing how to join colors invisibly in the round and how to work a Latvian braid… two skills that show up constantly in colorwork knitting.
🧵 Quick Pattern Overview
🎨 Six colors, worked in bold 2-row stripes… two rounds of an accent color, two rounds of your main color, repeated all the way around.
🔄 Worked seamlessly in the round on a 24″ circular needle, so there's no seaming when you're done.
🪢 Latvian braid edges bookend the striped body, adding a twisted, textured detail at the very top and bottom of the cowl.
📏 One size fits most adults, finishing at 30″ in circumference and 13½” tall after blocking.
⭐ Love the Pattern but Want an Ad-Free PDF?
The full pattern is free right here on the blog… always will be! But if you'd rather have a clean, printable, distraction-free copy to knit from, the ad-free PDF is available on Ravelry.
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🎨 How to Avoid a Jog in Striped Knitting
So here's the thing about knitting stripes in the round… every time you switch colors, the first stitch of the new round sits slightly higher than the last stitch of the old one. That little stair-step is called a “jog,” and it's the thing that makes hand-knit stripes look less polished than they could.
This pattern uses a jogless join to solve that… a simple adjustment at the color change that lines the stripes up cleanly all the way around. Once you've done it a few times, it becomes second nature, and you'll find yourself using it on every striped project from here on out.
🧶 Yarn & Materials
The sample was knit in Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird, a 100% merino wool that's since been discontinued. I've listed close substitutes below so you can still make this cowl with a yarn you can actually get your hands on.
You'll need 2 balls of your main color (A) and 1 ball each of five accent colors (B–F), all in worsted weight (CYCA #4).
Yarn Alternatives
Any of these worsted weight wools or wool blends will work beautifully in place of Chic Sheep:
- Malabrigo Rios
- Berroco Ultra Wool
- KnitPicks Swish Worsted
- Cascade 220 Superwash
- Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage
Notions
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
🎬 Video Tutorials
If you are a visual learner, I've got you covered on the two techniques that make this cowl special:
👉 Watch my full Latvian Braid tutorial before you start the top and bottom edges… it's much easier to follow along with the video than words alone.
👉 Watch how to knit a Latvian braid before you start the top and bottom edges… it's much easier to follow along with the video than words alone.
👉 Watch how to knit jogless stripes to see the color-join technique in action before you start the striped body.
And when it's time to finish up, here's my full walkthrough on weaving in ends so they never pop back out:
All the Hype Striped Cowl || Pattern Details
Skill Level
Easy
Measurements
To Fit Size: One size fits most adults.
Finished Measurements: Cowl measures 30″ [76 cm] in circumference and 13½” [34 cm] in height when laid flat, after blocking.
Gauge
20 sts = 4″ (10 cm) in Stockinette st.
Materials
Yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird (100% Merino Wool, 3½ oz / 100 g, 200 yds / 183 m, CYCA #4 medium)… see Yarn Alternatives above for substitutes.
- 2 balls: VIP (A)
- 1 ball each: Suite (B), Dragon Fruit (C), Platinum (D), Sterling (E), Green Tea (F)
Needles: US 8 [5 mm] 24″ (61 cm) circular needle, or size needed for gauge.
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in the ends (see Video Tutorials above).
Abbreviations
- K – knit
- P – purl
- Sts – stitch(es)
Notes
This is a true scrap project… I grabbed a couple balls of the VIP Chic Sheep yarn and scraps of the other colors and just decided I wanted a simple striped knit project.
I love the look of the Latvian braid so I added it to the start and the finish. I think it makes this project just that little something special. I hope you love it too.
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I'm thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don't copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey.
I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
All the Hype Striped Cowl || Pattern Instructions
Cast On & Set-Up
With color A, cast on 120 sts.
Join round being careful to not twist cast-on edge, and place a marker just before first st to mark beginning of round.
Round 1 (RS): Knit.
Latvian Braid (Bottom Edge)
(Also see Video Tutorials above.)
Body
Work 40 rounds in Stockinette st (knit every round) in the following color sequence:
2 rounds with B, 2 rounds with A, 2 rounds with B, 2 rounds with A
2 rounds with C, 2 rounds with A, 2 rounds with C, 2 rounds with A
2 rounds with D, 2 rounds with A, 2 rounds with D, 2 rounds with A
2 rounds with E, 2 rounds with A, 2 rounds with E, 2 rounds with A
2 rounds with F, 2 rounds with A, 2 rounds with F, 2 rounds with A
Latvian Braid (Top Edge) & Bind Off
Next 3 rounds: Repeat Rounds 2–4 from the Bottom Edge Latvian Braid, above.
Final round: Knit around with color A only.
Bind off all sts loosely.
Finishing
Block cowl to measurements.
Weave in all loose ends (see Video Tutorials above).
🧺 Blocking Tips for the All the Hype Striped Cowl
Don't skip this step… blocking is what makes the Latvian braid rows relax and lie flat, opens up the fabric for better drape, and brings the finished measurements to their full size. It's a quick process for a cowl this size.
What you'll need: A basin of cool water, a splash of Eucalan wool wash, a clean towel, and a flat surface to dry on. Blocking mats help if you want to pin it to measurements.
How to wet block this cowl: Submerge it in cool water with a capful of wool wash and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (no wringing!), roll it in a towel to remove more moisture, then lay flat and shape to 30″ [76 cm] circumference and 13½” [34 cm] height. Let it dry completely before moving it — usually 24 hours, or less if you have good air circulation.
🧣 More Knit Cowl Patterns You'll Love
If you loved the stripes and stashbusting vibe of this one, you'll want to check out a few more of my favorite knit cowls:
🧣 Fairhope Cable Knit Cowl — Bold, braided cable texture that makes a serious statement. A great next step after this one.
🧣 Game Changer Knit Cowl — A fun, textured stitch-sampler style project that works up beautifully in one skein.
🧣 Evermore Knit Cowl — a gorgeous stranded colorwork cowl that takes your knitting to the next level… perfect for when you're ready to play with two colors at once.
🧣 Dancer's Delight Knit Cowl/Snood — a cozy cowl-snood hybrid with beautiful texture… it doubles as a hood which makes it endlessly practical for cold weather.
🧣 Game Day Knit Cowl — a textured one-skein cowl that works up fast and makes an impressive gift. Great for when you want beautiful stitch detail without a long commitment.
🧣 Afternoon Delight Knit Hat and Cowl — a quick matching hat and cowl set that makes the perfect gift… works up fast in worsted weight and looks like you spent way more time on it than you did.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Latvian braid in knitting?
So here's the thing… a Latvian braid is a decorative two-color technique worked by purling with two strands and twisting them in a specific direction each round. It creates a raised, braided-looking band that's traditionally used as an edge finish on Latvian mittens, and it works beautifully on a cowl too.
Can I use a different yarn than Chic Sheep for this cowl?
Yes! Chic Sheep has since been discontinued, but any worsted weight wool or wool blend that gets 20 sts = 4″ in stockinette will work. Check the Yarn Alternatives section above for my top picks.
How much yarn do I need for a striped cowl like this?
Honestly, not much! This pattern uses 2 balls of your main color and just 1 ball each of five accent colors, all worsted weight. It's a great project for using up leftover skeins from your stash.
Is this cowl pattern beginner-friendly?
This one's rated Easy, so it's great for advanced beginners who are comfortable knitting in the round. If you've never worked a Latvian braid before, the video tutorial above walks you through it step by step.
How do I avoid a jog when knitting stripes in the round?
Great question! This pattern teaches a jogless join right in the instructions, and I've also linked a video tutorial above so you can see it in action before you start your own stripes.
Where can I buy the ad-free PDF for this pattern?
The ad-free PDF is available on Ravelry right now. The free version here on the blog has everything you need to make the cowl… the PDF is just a clean, printable option if you'd rather knit from that.
💛 Final Thoughts
The All the Hype Striped Cowl really is as fun to knit as its name suggests… bold color, a satisfying rhythm once you get into the stripe sequence, and a little Latvian braid magic at each edge. Grab your stash and get those needles moving!
If you cast it on, please please please share your progress… tag me @marlybird on Instagram or Facebook and use #MMMDI (Marly Made Me Do It), #MarlyBird, or #AllTheHypeCowl so I can see it. 💛
❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird
Categories: Free Patterns, Knitting, Pattern
