***You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Etsy HERE and on LoveCrafts HERE! This beautifully formatted PDF includes the step-by-step pictures and pattern and is a total of 4 pages including the cover page! You can also find this pattern in my Easy & Modern Knits Pattern Bundle found HERE (includes over 20 of my knit patterns at a discounted price)! Lion Brand Yarn has made a convenient kit HERE that includes the pattern and all the Go For Faux & Heartland yarn needed (3 different color combinations available)!
When we were traveling in Japan, I had so much fun shopping around their fashion forward boutiques and getting style inspiration. There was one piece in particular that I kept noticing in various stores, and I vowed to try and make a handmade version when I returned to Canada: a faux fur cowl with two different textured sides! I knew exactly which yarns I wanted to use for this special piece: Heartland (worsted weight level 4) and Go For Faux (super bulky level 6) by Lion Brand Yarn! I chose these two complementary shades (Heartland in “Mount Rainier” and Go For Faux in “Chinchilla”) and began designing away!
I began knitting the faux fur rectangle using 9 mm needles. I love how you can see all the stitches on your needles as you do not need to locate them (as is the case when crocheting with this faux fur yarn). I would recommend keeping track of your rows (either writing them down or on your phone) as it can be difficult to count and see them individually later on. I would also recommend knitting loosely as I made this part twice: on the second try, I was able to knit my desired length with only two skeins of the faux fur yarn.
Next, I knit the worsted weight rectangle using Heartland yarn and 5.5 mm needles. I looked for a beautifully textured stitch and found the “long-slip textured stitch” which is worked over an 8 row repeat (I learned how to knit this stitch using this site and video HERE). Isn’t it gorgeous? Note that the ends and sides have a tendency to curl as pictured below, but do not worry as it will be straightened and seamed later on. Leave a very long yarn tail as we will be using the Heartland yarn to seam the sides together.
To assemble your faux fur cowl, place the worsted weight rectangle ontop of the faux fur rectangle so that the Heartland yarn tail is in the bottom right corner as shown by the red circle. Ensure that the right side of the worsted weight rectangle is facing upwards (there is no right or wrong side of the faux fur rectangle, so do not worry about its orientation). Begin seaming the worsted weight side onto the faux fur side using the whip stitch along the bottom as indicated by the arrows.
Leave a little bit of the faux fur edge when seaming the worsted weight side in place.
When you have reached the other end, use the horizontal invisible seaming method (resembles a row of knit stitches) to seam the short worsted weight sides together (the cast on and cast off edges).
Next, whip stitch the short faux fur sides together (a cowl has now been formed). Do NOT seam the worsted weight short side to the faux fur short side as this would tag it down into place, not allowing the cowl to be twisted to show the various textures.
Lastly, use the Heartland yarn tail to whip stitch the worsted weight side to the faux fur side along that remaining long edge!
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Here is the free knit pattern for the Luxe Faux Fur Cowl:
Materials:
- 2 skeins of Go For Faux Yarn in “Chinchilla” (super bulky level 6 yarn)
- 2 skeins of Heartland Yarn in “Mount Rainier” (worsted level 4 yarn)
- 9 mm and 5.5 mm needles (straight or circular – at least 16″ long needles) – I use the Clover Takumi interchangeable set
- Large crochet hook to whip stitch faux fur ends together
- Bent tip tapestry needle
Notes:
- This luxurious cowl is composed of two separate rectangles that are knitted in turned rows. The rectangles are seamed together to form a beautiful cowl: one rectangle is knitted with Go For Faux yarn while the other rectangle is knitted with Heartland yarn.
- The cowl can be worn in different ways to show the different sides/texture.
- The faux fur rectangle is knitted in garter stitch. Since it can be hard to count the number of rows using faux fur yarn, you can write down your number of rows on your phone or a piece of paper to help keep track.
- The worsted weight rectangle is knitted using the long-slip textured stitch which is worked over an 8 row repeat (the number of stitches casted on should be an odd number). All slip stitches are worked purlwise. For Rows 6-8 of the pattern, always double check that each row starts and ends with two knit stitches (Rows 6 and 8) or two purl stitches (Row 7). Do not worry if the sides of this rectangle are curling as the edges will be seamed down to the faux fur rectangle. You can always substitute this stitch with your favourite stitch – any design provides a beautiful contrast to the faux fur side.
- Both rectangles are capable of stretching quite a bit in width. As long as they are generally around the same width, they can be stretched to match each other. Getting exact gauge is not crucial.
- Once both rectangles are complete, they are seamed together along one side of the length. Next, the worsted weight short sides (the cast on and cast off edges) are seamed together using the horizontal invisible seaming method (resembles a row of knit stitches). Then the faux fur short sides are seamed together (a cowl has now been formed). Do NOT seam the worsted weight short side to the faux fur short side as this would tag it down into place, not allowing the cowl to be twisted to show the various textures. Lastly, the remaining long sides of both rectangles are seamed together.
- Abbreviations: wyib = with yarn in back, wyif = with yarn in front
Gauge:
- Faux fur side – 7 sts and 15.5 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in garter stitch.
- Worsted weight side – 19 sts and 34 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in long-slip textured stitch
Finished Measurements: 11.5″/29 cm wide, 36″/91 cm around
PATTERN:
***Faux Fur Rectangle
Using 9 mm needles,
Cast on 20 stitches using long tail cast-on.
Row 1: Knit all stitches (20 sts).
Row 2-140: Repeat R1 (or until rectangle is 36″ long).
Cast off all stitches knitwise. Leave long end for sewing.
***Heartland/Worsted Weight Rectangle
Using 5.5 mm needles,
Cast on 55 stitches using long tail cast-on.
Row 1 (wrong side): Purl all stitches.
Row 2 (right side): Knit 1, *Slip 1 wyib, K1*, rep from * till end.
Row 3: Purl 1, *Slip 1 wyif, P1*, rep from * till end.
Row 4: Rep R2.
Row 5: Rep R1.
Row 6: Knit 2, *Slip 1 wyib, K1*, rep from * till last stitch. Knit last stitch.
Row 7: Purl 2, *Slip 1 wyif, P1*, rep from * till last stitch. Purl last stitch.
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
R9-310: Repeat Rows 1-8 (or until rectangle is 36″ long).
Cast off all stitches purlwise. Leave very long end for sewing.
Assembly
- Lay both rectangles ontop of each other, ensuring the right side of the long-slip textured stitch rectangle is facing upwards (there is no right or wrong side of the faux fur rectangle, so do not worry about its orientation) . Position the worsted weight yarn tail so that it is in the bottom right corner. Using the worsted weight tail, whip stitch the worsted weight rectangle to the faux fur rectangle along the bottom length. Leave a slight faux fur edge along the bottom (i.e. do not pick up the faux fur stitches right along the bottom edge).
- Using the worsted weight yarn tail, seam the short sides of the worsted weight rectangles together using the horizontal invisible seaming method.
- Using the faux fur yarn tail, seam the short sides of the faux fur rectangle together using the whip stitch.
- Using the worsted weight yarn tail, whip stitch the worsted weight rectangle to the faux fur rectangle along the top length.
- Weave in all the ends.
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I am thrilled with how this gorgeous cowl turned out since you can wear it in various ways! Simply twist and rotate the cowl to show off more of the faux fur side or the textured worsted weight side!
This design looks so high-end, and definitely something you could purchase in a luxury store!
It is incredibly soft and cozy, and both Heartland and Go For Faux feel amazing against the skin!
This cowl is tall enough that it can be pulled over the head and worn as a hood too! How adorable is this furry hood? So perfect in case it starts to snow!
I hope you love this versatile new cowl and have fun wearing it different ways! The yarns and textures complement one another very well, and it will look so lovely in any wardrobe. I will always remember our Tokyo travels when I wear this piece! Stay tuned for the crochet version as I am currently working that up! You can snag the ad-free PDF HERE and the convenient kit on the Lion Brand Yarn website HERE! Happy knitting, everyone!
{This post is sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn! I’ve loved working with their yarn throughout the years and I’m thrilled that I get to collaborate with them every month!}
This pattern is an original pattern by Stephanie Lau of All About Ami. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.
You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Stephanie Lau of All About Ami, and provide a link to my blog www.AllAboutAmi.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for being respectful and for your understanding!
