Unforgettable Entrelac Knit Cowl Free Pattern
I wanted to bring back an oldie-but-goodie. This is an entrelac knit cowl free pattern. I filmed a video tutorial for it (see below) that shows you exactly how to work it. I’m bringing it back today because even though the pattern says to turn your work, this is a terrific pattern for you to practice knitting backward, which I recently shared in another post. It’s also just a really perfect autumn knitting project.
Worked in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn
As you might know, if you follow me on Instagram, two of my team members (Cryssi and Kathryn) recently visited me. I sent them home with huge bags of yarn and projects to work on. It takes a village y’all. Kathryn immediately drifted to the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn. Although she loves working with luxury yarns, she doesn’t discriminate, and this is one of her favorite affordable yarn options ever. So I sent her home with a bunch of it to turn into new things for the blog soon. And that is the yarn used to make this entrelac knit cowl free pattern.
Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn is a 100% acrylic worsted weight roving yarn. It has a unique softness to it that people often tend to love. You can machine wash and dry it, which is always nice. But what’s really great about it is the colorways. Each one is just such a rich combination of beautiful colors. The original entrelac knit cowl free pattern calls for two balls of the Stained Glass colorway. Definitely beautiful. It’s a good color choice for fall accessories, too. But there are also more than twenty different colorways to choose from. We like Polo and Echo as other choices for autumn accessorizing. But make your cowl in the colors that are perfect for you!
Knit Backwards With This Entrelac Knit Cowl Free Pattern
As aforementioned, I just shared a post with you about how to knit backwards. There are a few times when it makes a lot of sense to use this technique. The biggest reason is when you’re working short rows. If you knit backwards, then you don’t have to turn and turn and turn the work after every short row. Therefore, knitting backwards is perfect for entrelac knitting. Practice knitting backwards with some swatches, then if you feel comfortable, see if this technique works for you on this cowl pattern. Of course, if it doesn’t feel right, then follow the pattern turns as they’re designed.
Triangles and Rectangles, Oh My
To create the interesting design of this pattern, you’re going to knit some bold geometric shapes. You’ll work knit triangles as well as knit rectangles. Moreover, you’ll knit both left-leaning and right-leaning triangles and rectangles. The stitches themselves are simple. Just pay attention to the way you’re turning the work. Notice where each of the layers shifts. This is what makes the design an intermediate-level pattern. And it’s what makes it really stand out as a beautiful fall accessory.
Get The Entrelac Knit Cowl Free Pattern
You can get the free pattern right here. Or click on the image below.
Entrelac Knit Cowl Video Tutorial
Watch the video for help making this beautiful autumn cowl:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is entrelac knitting?
Entrelac is a knitting technique that creates a basket-weave or woven fabric effect from small squares or rectangles knitted at perpendicular angles to each other. Instead of knitting in straight horizontal rows, you build a grid of interlocking squares where each new square picks up stitches along the edge of the previous one. The result looks exactly like woven fabric or a lattice… incredibly beautiful and completely made from knitting. The word comes from the French for “interlaced” and that’s exactly what it looks like!
Is entrelac hard to learn?
It has a learning curve but isn’t as hard as it looks! The main techniques used are picking up stitches along an edge, working short row squares, and understanding which direction each square is oriented. The challenging part is spatial… understanding how the squares connect and flow. The knitting itself uses basic stitches. Most knitters who’ve tried entrelac say the first few squares are confusing, then it suddenly clicks and feels very logical. A video tutorial is really helpful for entrelac because the three-dimensional construction is difficult to understand from written instructions alone.
Why is a cowl a great first entrelac project?
Because the round structure means you work in the round without managing flat edges and turning… which simplifies the entrelac geometry significantly. A cowl also lets you practice the technique in a smaller, faster-finishing format before committing to a larger project like a blanket or sweater. The finished cowl is beautiful and wearable, so you get a functional reward for your learning investment. And the circular entrelac pattern shows off the basket-weave effect perfectly since you can see the full repeat wrapping around the cowl.
What yarn should I use for an entrelac cowl?
Worsted weight in a smooth yarn with good stitch definition shows the geometric entrelac pattern most clearly. The individual squares need to read as distinct blocks… a fuzzy or textured yarn blurs that geometric quality. A solid or semi-solid color shows the weave-effect most dramatically, though a subtle color change in each square as you work around can be beautiful. Wool and wool blends are traditional for entrelac and give the fabric excellent stitch definition and drape. A good blocking after finishing really settles the fabric and evens out any tension variations between squares.
Can I use entrelac in crochet too?
Yes! Crochet entrelac exists and creates a similar woven effect using interlocking crochet squares. The technique is different from the knitted version but achieves the same gorgeous result. Many of the same principles apply… interlocking squares at perpendicular angles, picking up stitches along edges. Crochet entrelac tutorials are available online and on Ravelry. For BiCrafty crafters, exploring both knit and crochet versions of entrelac is a fascinating exercise in how the same visual concept can be achieved through completely different construction methods.
Tips for Entrelac Success
Okay bestie, let’s talk about a few things that’ll make this pattern so much smoother for you. First… keep your stitch markers handy. They’re your best friend when you’re tracking those geometric sections. I like to mark the beginning of each triangle and rectangle so I know exactly where I am in the pattern.
Second, don’t rush the yarn overs and decreases. These are what create those clean edges where your entrelac blocks connect, and they’re super important for that polished final look. Take your time and make sure you’re consistent with your tension.
Yarn Weight Matters
This pattern works beautifully with worsted weight yarn like the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable, but you could also try it with DK or light worsted if you want a drapier cowl. Just remember you’ll need to adjust your needle size and yardage accordingly. A good rule of thumb… go up a needle size for every step down in yarn weight to keep your fabric from becoming too stiff.
Blocking Makes All the Difference
After you’ve woven in your ends, take ten minutes to wet block this cowl. It’ll even out those geometric shapes beautifully and give you that professional finish. Check out our complete blocking guide if you need a refresher!
