The Skull Cowl: Free Pattern!
It’s nearly Halloween! I can’t believe how fast, and how slow, time has seemed to go this year. I’ve been feeling incredibly distracted lately and didn’t get myself in order enough to create my normal standard of costume, but I still wanted to make something handmade!
Last year I was on my A game and created 2 full costume looks. The first was a little Ketchup packet dress created from my Free Ketchup Packet Pillow pattern that you can still grab over on Lovecrafts! The second look was a hooded tube dress made to look like a cactus! Ahhh who is that girl and how did she get so much done?!
From pillow to dress! Ketchup looks great (and tastes great) on everything
For the coldest Halloween nights, I stayed warm in my little cactus casing!
If, like me, you’re finding it’s the day before Halloween and you want to throw something together quickly - this is the pattern for you, it took me about 4 hours in total and used less than a skein of black yarn I had laying around. A cute-but-spooky half skull cowl to keep you warm and on theme!
Skull Cowl Pattern
Difficulty: Easy/ Beginner
Materials:
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
in Black (80 yds) C1
in Ecru (25 yds) C2
(Aran or a lighter Chunky will likely be fine for this pattern - make sure you gauge swatch!)
6mm circular needles with 12 in thread
Gauge: 7 k x 10 rows = 2 in
Pattern notations: k - knit, st - stitch, C1 - Color 1, C2 - Color 2
Construction notes: Pattern is worked in the round from base to top.
*Top tip, if you’re not a fan of fair isle/ stranded knitting the round, feel free the work the pattern flat, as one piece, going back and forth, seaming the two sides at the end.
Finished Measurements: 12 in tall x 9 in (approx 1-1.5 inches of negative ease for a snug fit)
Pattern:
Cast on 65 with C1
Base Round 1: Being sure not to twist your chain, place marker and join the round, k 65
K until your cowl measures 9 in
Skull Round 1: k 5 sts, then begin the chart. Follow the chart from the lower right hand corner to the left, from the bottom working up to the top.** I used stranded knitting, but if you’re comfortable with intarsia in the round that would likely be more comfortable over the face!
If you’re creating your cowl flat, read the chart from right to left on odd rows, and left to right on even rows (though it’s symmetrical so it shouldn’t matter)
After Skull Round 18, cast off in a loose bind off, using C1. Cut and weave in all ends.
You may choose to block, but for me it was tight enough across the face that I didn’t need to block. Be wary that the fabric will stretch after wearing.
Happy Halloween! xx