Cable Knit Zipper Cowl

Weather is getting furious lately with winter storm freezes up part of the Northern Hemisphere, whilst heat wave melts down part of the Southern Hemisphere. We have been warned about global warming decades ago, and now experts said that the Earth could be going through a mini ice age as the heat of the sun is predicted to weaken in years to come. Seems like the weather is getting harder to predict, I hope everyone stays safe and sound while the Earth is making some unannounced changes.

Besides wearing a jacket and gloves to keep warm, neck warmer is one of the essential clothing for the cool days. I knitted this timeless yet stylish cable knit zipper cowl neck warmer some times ago for my Japan vacation. If you find it looks familiar with the pair of the leg warmers I just shared it’s free pattern a few days ago, you are right, they both came as a set. Wearing both of them are perfect to save a hot weather person (that’s me!) from the harsh cool day of winter.

Cable Knit Zipper Cowl – Free Knitting Pattern

scroll ⬇️ to get the free pattern & tutorial

This zipper cowl is knitted by using Lion Brand Scarfie yarn (lots of colors to choose from), it comes with unique self-striping ombre in the yarn, which gradually shades from one color to the next. Besides the ombre effect, I added a zipper to the cowl to give it a touch of chic and stylishness. You may zip it up to be a normal cowl, unzip to cover your shoulders, or zip it half way through for the style in between.

The zipper cowl measures about 25″ in circumference and  14.5″ in length, it fits well on a small/medium women size. If you wish to make a larger cowl, the pattern is easy to adapt (read the NOTE at the pattern page). The free pattern comes in both the written pattern and the chart diagram, so it is easy to understand. Make it for yourself or for your loved ones.

Happy Knitting!!!!

Cable Knit Zipper Cowl

Knitting Pattern

Difficulty: Intermediate

Download and print separately:
Knit Diagram & Measurement Chart
Construction: Work in Row

Size: 25″ circumference x 14.5″ length

Materials And Tools:

1. Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie Yarn, 78% Acrylic, 22% Wool (approx. 312 yards/285m per 150g ball)

• Yarn Color: Denim/Navy, Balls needed: 1 ball

2. Needles: 16″ Circular needles U.S. 9 (5.5mm)
3. Cable needle (size should be smaller than the circular needle)
4. Zipper, 8″
5. Tapestry needle
6. Needle
7. Matching color thread to sew the zipper.

Note: Yarn amounts given are based on average requirements and are approximated.

Tension Gauge:
Stockinette Stitch: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4″ (10cm) using U.S. 9 (5.5mm) needles
2 x 2 Ribbing Stitch: 21 sts and 24 row = 4″ (10cm) using U.S. 9 (5.5mm) needles

Take time to make a gauge swatch to check your tension. Wash and block your swatch before measuring. Use larger or smaller needles if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Abbreviations
C4F = Cable 4 Front. Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work. K2, then k2 from cable needle
cont = Continue
k = Knit
P = Purl
RS = Right Side
st(s) = Stitch(es)
T3B = Twist 3 Back. Slip next st onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K2, then p1 from cable needle
T3F = Twist 3 Front. Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work. P1, then k2 from cable needle
WS = Wrong Side

KNIT PATTERN

Using 16″ Circular needles U.S. 9 (5.5mm) and Scarfie yarn, 2×2 tabular cast on 130 sts (Watch the video on how to do 2×2 tabular cast-on). Begin the 2 x 2 with 2 purl stitch.

Row 1 (WS) : (k2,p2) to end, end with k2
Row 2 (RS): (p2,k2) to end, end with p2
Row 3: (k2,p2) to end, end with k2
Row 4: p1, [p1, T3F, T3B, p1] 16 times, p1
Row 5: k1, [k2, p4, k2] 16 times, k1
Row 6: p1, [p2, C4F, p2] 16 times, p1
Row 7: k1, [k2, p4, k2] 16 times, k1
Row 8: p1, [p2, k4, p2] 16 times, p1
Row 9: k1, [k2, p4, k2] 16 times, k1
Row 10: p1, [p2, C4F, p2] 16 times, p1
Row 11: k1, [k2, p4, k2] 16 times, k1
Row 12: p1, [p1, T3B, T3F, p1] 16 times, p1
Row 13 – 39: Repeat row 1 and 2, end with row 1
Row 40: p2, k2, p1, [p1, T3F, T3B, p1] 15 times, p1, k2, p2
Row 41: k2, p2, k1, [k2, p4, k2] 15 times, k1, p2, k2
Row 42: p2, k2, p1, [p2, C4F, p2] 15 times, p1, k2, p2
Row 43: k2, p2, k1, [k2, p4, k2] 15 times, k1, p2, k2
Row 44: p2, k2, p1, [p2, k4, p2] 15 times, p1, k2, p2
Row 45: k2, p2, k1, [k2, p4, k2] 15 times, k1, p2, k2
Row 46: p2, k2, p1, [p2, C4F, p2] 15 times, p1, k2, p2
Row 47: k2, p2, k1, [k2, p4, k2] 15 times, k1, p2, k2
Row 48: p2, k2, p1, [p1, T3B, T3F, p1] 15 times, p1, k2, p2
Row 49 – 51: Repeat Row 1 to Row 3
Row 52 – 60: Repeat Row 4 to Row 12
Row 61 – 63: Repeat Row 1 to Row 3
Row 64 – 72: Repeat Row 40 to Row 48
Row 73 – 75: Repeat Row 1 to Row 3
Row 76 – 84: Repeat Row 4 to Row 12
Row 85 – 86: Repeat Row 1 and Row 2

Tubular bind off the 2×2 rib.

NOTE
If you wish to make a bigger size, add a multiple of 8 sts to the pattern, and repeat from Row 63 for the length after you have done row 86.

BLOCKING
Block the cable knit cowl to obtain the correct size.

TO FINISH OFF
1. Fold and sew the top and bottom edges of zippers to the back of the zipper.
2. Bring both side edges of the cowl together. Begin at row 1, sew to join them with a tapestry needle and with mattress stitches. Stop at 8″ from the last row of the cowl. Hide all yarns.
3. Align zipper along each edge of the unsewn seam respectively, top-stops of the zipper is at the last row of the cowl. Pin and sew with back stitches.
4. Turn to the inside of the cowl, fold the tape of the zipper and sew near the zipper tooth. This is to neaten the zipper tape at the back of the cowl.

Pattern Diagram & Panel Chart (Click Picture for a larger chart, open in new tab/window.)

Gather the materials and tools needed to knit the zipper cowl.

Follow the pattern and instructions to knit the cable knit cowl.

Bring both side edges of the cowl together. Begin at row 1, sew to join them with a tapestry needle and with mattress stitches. Stop at 8″ from the last row of the cowl. Hide all yarn ends.

Prepare the zipper by neatening the top and bottom raw edges before sewing it to the cowl. Fold and sew edges to the back of the zipper.

Align zipper along each edge of the unsewn seam of the cowl respectively, top-stops of a zipper is at the last row of the cowl. Pin.

Sew the zipper to the cowl with back stitches.

Turn to the inside of the cowl, fold the tape of the zipper and sew near the zipper tooth. This is to neaten the zipper tape at the back of the cowl.

The cowl looks great and neat from inside with the extra work on the zipper tape.

This is the completed zipper cowl that is ready to be worn.

Love this soft and warm cable knit zipper cowl. You may zip it up to be a normal cowl, or unzip to cover your shoulders or somewhere in between. Get stylish with the cozy warm cable knit zipper cowl, protect and warm your neck during the cold days. 

Get patterns to make a matching pair of leg warmers.