Ingrid is built around volume, warmth, and deliberate softness: an oversized tube cowl paired with giant, almost elbow-length fingerless mittens. Both pieces are worked with two soft-spun yarns held together creating a thick, lofty fabric that feels substantial but lightweight. The cowl can be knit seamlessly in the round or flat with seaming, while the mittens are worked in the round and shaped simply for comfort and ease. The result is an intentionally bold, cozy set designed for slow days, cold air, and generous layers.
SKILLS
Easy to Intermediate (adventurous beginner friendly)
Skills required:
- Knitting in the round
- Knit and purl stitches
- Basic increases and decreases
- Long tail cast-on
- Binding off in pattern
PATTERN NOTES
The set is worked with Yarn 1 and Yarn 2 held together, creating a thick, lofty fabric with a soft marled effect. The cowl and mittens are worked seamlessly in the round, with simple shaping and minimal finishing. The cowl is worked bottom-up; the mittens are worked from the cuff toward the fingers.
I used the long tail cast-on and regular bind-off in pattern methods for both the cowl and the mittens as the easiest option. You are welcome to use your preferred cast-on and bind-off methods.
Checking gauge is important to ensure correct sizing, especially for the mittens; adjust needle size as needed to match the stated gauge before beginning.
TOOLS & MATERIALS
- 2 skeins of Everest by YarnArt (30% wool 70% acrylic, 350yds/320m in 7oz/200g), color 7021, or a similar wool-based bulky weight yarn in your color — Yarn 1
- 2 skeins of Angora RAM by YarnArt (40% mohair 60% acrylic, 547yds/500m in 3.5oz/100g, color 033, or a similar mohair-based medium weight yarn in your color — Yarn 2
- US size 13 / 9mm knitting needles (16″/40cm long circular needle) for the cowl and US size 11 / 8mm double-pointed knitting needles (8″/20cm long, set of 5) for the mittens
- stitch marker, measuring tape, tapestry needle, small scissors
FINISHED DIMENSIONS
This set is designed to fit most adult women in the sizes specified below.
The instructions are written for the smallest size, with changes for larger sizes following in curly brackets, separated by colons { : }. When only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.
Displayed on model 5’3”/160 cm tall with bust circumference 33 in/84 cm, wearing size S.
The following measurements were taken from the finished items, laid flat and unstretched:
Cowl
| Size | Circumference (bottom edge) | Height |
|---|---|---|
| S | 27½” / 70 cm | 16″ / 40 cm |
| M | 29½” / 75 cm | 17″ / 43 cm |
| L | 31½” / 80 cm | 18″ / 46 cm |
Mittens
| Size | To Fit Hand Circumference | Length |
|---|---|---|
| S | 6¼–6⅞” / 16-17.5 cm | 15″ / 38 cm |
| M | 7–7¾” / 18-19.5 cm | 16¼” / 41.5 cm |
| L | 7⅞–8½” / 20-21.5 cm | 17¼” / 44 cm |
For more information, see my guide on how to measure hands for gloves.
GAUGE
10 sts and 15 rows = 4″/10cm in stockinette stitch on larger needle (cowl)
11 sts and 17 rows = 4″/10cm in stockinette stitch on smaller needle (mittens)
ABBREVIATIONS
k — knit
p — purl
st(s) — stitch(es)
rnd(s) — round(s)
ssk — slip, slip, knit (decrease)
st st — stockinette stitch
m1r — make one right (right-leaning increase)
m1r — make one left (left-leaning increase)
[ ] — repeat instruction within square brackets as stated afterwards
WORKING INSTRUCTIONS
Cowl
Cast on 75 {80 : 85} sts, place marker and join in rnd, being careful not to twist the cast-on edge. For the bottom ribbing, work:
3×2 Rib Rnd [k3, p2] to marker.
Continue repeating this rnd until your rib measures 4″/10cm tall from the cast-on edge. Then work one rnd with decreases for transition to st st:
Dec Rnd k2, [ssk, k3] to last 3 sts before marker, ssk, k1. — 60 {64 : 68} sts
Then work the cowl body in st st:
St St Rnd k to marker.
Continue repeating St St Rnd until your work measures 14 {15 : 16}” / 35 {37.5 : 40} cm tall from the cast-on edge. Then work the top ribbing:
2×2 Rib Rnd [k2, p2] to marker.
Rep this rnd until your work measures 16 {17 : 18}” / 40 {43 : 46} cm tall from the cast-on edge.
Remove marker and bind off in pattern: knit stitches knitwise, purl stitches purlwise.
Break both yarns, fasten off, and weave in all loose ends.
Mittens
The mittens are worked identically except for the thumb gusset placement. The gusset is mirrored relative to the beginning of round: on the Left Mitten, the gusset is worked to the right of the marker; on the Right Mitten, it is worked to the left. For this reason, separate instructions are provided for the thumb gusset for each mitten.
Cast on 30 {30 : 35} sts, distribute evenly between the working needles, place marker and join in rnd, being careful not to twist the cast-on edge. For the cuff ribbing, work:
3×2 Rib Rnd [k3, p2] to marker.
Continue repeating this rnd until your rib measures 3½”/9cm tall from the cast-on edge. Then work one rnd with decreases for transition to st st:
Dec Rnd k2, [ssk, k3] to last 3 sts before marker, ssk, k1. — 24 {24 : 28} sts
Then work in st st:
St St Rnd k to marker.
Continue repeating St St Rnd until your mitten measures 6½ {7 : 7½}” / 17 {18 : 19} cm tall from the cast-on edge. Then shape the thumb gusset as follows:
| Right Mitt | Left Mitt |
| TG Inc Rnd 1 k16 {k16 : k20}, m1r, k4, m1l, k to marker. — 26 {26 : 30} sts Knit one rnd. TG Inc Rnd 2 k16 {k16 : k20}, m1r, k6, m1l, k to marker. — 28 {28 : 32} sts Knit one rnd. The following 2 rnds are for size M only: TG Inc Rnd 3 k16, m1r, k8, m1l, k to marker. — – {30 : -} sts Knit one rnd. Shape the thumb gusset opening by adding a section in 1×1 rib as follows: TO Rnd 1 k16 {k17: k20}, [p1, k1] 3 times, p1, k to marker. TO Rnd 2 work all sts as they appear (knit the knit sts, purl the purl sts). Rep TO Rnd 2 2 {2 : 3} more times. Then bind off 8 rib sts in pattern to make the hole for the thumb opening: TO Bind Off Rnd k16 {k17 : k20}, bind off next 8 sts in pattern, k to marker. — 20 {22 : 24} sts | TG Inc Rnd 1 k4 {k4 : k6}, m1r, k4, m1l, k to marker. — 26 {26 : 30} sts Knit one rnd. TG Inc Rnd 2 k4 {k4 : k6}, m1r, k6, m1l, k to marker. — 28 {28 : 32} sts Knit one rnd. The following 2 rnds are for size M only: TG Inc Rnd 3 k4, m1r, k8, m1l, k to marker. — – {30 : -} sts Knit one rnd. Shape the thumb gusset opening by adding a section in 1×1 rib as follows: TO Rnd 1 k4 {k5 : k6}, [p1, k1] 3 times, p1, k to marker. TO Rnd 2 work all sts as they appear (knit the knit sts, purl the purl sts). Rep TO Rnd 2 2 {2 : 3} more times. Then bind off 8 rib sts in pattern to make the hole for the thumb opening: TO Bind Off Rnd k3 {k4 : k5}, bind off next 8 sts in pattern, k to marker. — 20 {22 : 24} sts |
Next rnd k to bind-off, join back in rnd, k to marker.
Work 2 {3 : 4} more rnds in st st, then work the ribbing around the hand circumference in 1×1 rib:
1×1 Rib Rnd [k1, p1] to marker.
Rep this rnd until your mitt measures 2 {2⅜ : 2¾}” / 5 {6 : 7} cm tall from the bound-off edge of the thumb opening (or to the desired length).
Remove marker and bind off in pattern: knit stitches knitwise, purl stitches purlwise. Break both yarns, fasten off, and weave in all loose ends.
☼☼☼
Show me the photos of your cowls here in comments, or share your work on social media with the tag #zoranknits, and welcome back for more fun projects! 🙂