ALL NEW! Free Loom Knit Retreat Cowl Pattern

Inside: Free loom knit Retreat Cowl pattern including loom and yarn recommendations, written instructions for both Skinny and Chunky cowl in 3 sizes, knitting charts and tutorial videos to walk you through the pattern.

Show off what you can do on knitting loom with the new Retreat Cowl.  I’ve been wanting to redo my Chic Retreat Cowl pattern for years. I know so much more than when I first created that pattern.

For example, I know that dark yarn doesn’t show up well on camera. I also know that when you use a variegated or color changing yarn the unique stitch patterns can get lost. So, I decided to bring this one out of the vault and give it a modern update.

Stitch pattern changes…

The all new Retreat Cowl replaces the tricky Chain Lace stitch with the Seagrass stitch. Not only is it much easier to work on the loom it gives the cowl a bit more body as well. I kept the stunning Indian Cross Stitch in the middle and the Diamond Lace stitch section because I still love both of those stitch patterns.

Loom gauge changes…

One of the other requests I had for the new pattern was to offer it in another gauge. The original was only available for a 3/8″ small gauge loom. While I kept this gauge option for the Skinny version of the cowl, I also added a Chunky style loom knit on a 5/8″ large gauge loom. This allows you loads more versatility in the pattern.

The Skinny Retreat cowl uses a medium (#4) weight yarn. You can keep that light, airy look that’s perfect for Spring. I made mine out of mercerized cotton to keep it lightweight for the season. It’s perfect! But eventually the cold winds will blow and you can keep the same style, but with a bulky flair using the Chunky Retreat Cowl. It’s got the same distinctive stitch pattern, but offers the warmth of Bulky or Super Bulky yarn.

Size changes…

And since we all love patterns that accommodate multiple sizes I added that too. The original Chic Retreat Cowl was one size fits all because back then we were limited in loom choices. Now that we have so many more options available to us it’s easier to design patterns with more size options.

This pattern comes in sizes Small, Medium and Large. Small is a snug neckwarmer size while the Large has a long drape similar to an infinity scarf and the Medium is right in between. If you have a loom with enough pegs to make it even longer you can just increase the cast on in increments of 24.

The loom knit Retreat Cowl pattern contains written instructions, links to fully-captioned tutorial videos and knitting charts for both gauges.

What better way to announce a pattern update than to have a LOOM ALONG! Over the next 3 weeks I’ll be releasing a potion of the pattern (with charts) and tutorial videos to go with each part. All videos are at the bottom of this page and I’ll be updating this page weekly to add the new parts of the pattern and new videos.

• May 15 – Overview of the pattern including supplies needed, sizes and more.
• May 22 – Part 1: Cast on, Ribbing and Diamond Lace Stitch sections of the pattern
• May 29 – Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch patterns.
• June 5 – Part 3: Follow the chart to repeat the stitch patterns we’ve already learned and finish the cowl.

Loom Knit Retreat Cowl

By Kristen Mangus

MATERIALS

Links below are affiliate links to products I used to create this pattern/video. Clicking the links costs you nothing, but helps support GoodKnit Kisses.

Yarn
Skinny Cowl: Medium (#4) weight yarn – 1 (2, 2) balls of
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100g / 3.5 oz, 170 meters / 186 yards) in color Mint used in sample.
1 (2, 2) balls of Mary Maxim Starlette (100 g / 3.5 oz.,165 m / 180 yds.) 
used in sample. (See info below for specific yardage and colors of multicolor cowl.)

Chunky Cowl: Bulky (#5) or Super Bulky (#6) weight yarn – 2 (2, 3 balls) of
Bernat Softee Chunky (100g / 3.5 oz, 99 meters / 108 yards) in color True Grey and Loops & Threads Charisma (100g / 3.5 oz, 100 meters / 109 yards) in colors Mist and Honey Tweed used in samples.
3 (4, 5) balls of Mary Maxim Starlette Chunky (100 g / 3.5 oz., 55 m / 60 yds.) in color Teal used in sample.

Loom
Skinny Cowl: ⅜” small gauge (SG) loom with at least 96 (120, 144) pegs.
KB Flexee Loom Skinny (2 sets) used in sample.

Other ⅜” small gauge (SG) looms that will work for this pattern include:

• KB All N One (Small size) OR All N One with 20-peg extenders (Medium size)
• CinDWood 3/8″ gauge Large Universal X Loom
• Kiss 2-way Adjustable Small Gauge Loom

ChunkyCowl: ⅝” large gauge (LG) loom with at least 60 (84, 108) pegs.
KB Flexee Loom Chunky (2 sets) used in sample.

Other ⅝” large gauge (LG) looms that will work for this pattern include:

• CinDWood 5/8″ gauge Extra Large Universal X Loom
• Kiss 2-way Adjustable Small Gauge Loom (with 3-4 washers)

For a complete list of available looms consult the Knitting Loom Guide.

Stitch marker 
Tapestry needle
Row counter

ABBREVIATIONS
Approx = Approximate(ly)
Beg = Begin(ning)
BO = Bind off 
DLS = Diamond Lace Stitch
EK = Ewrap knit
EWYO = Ewrap Yarnover
K = U-wrap knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Sl = slip stitch; skip peg with working yarn at the back
St(s) = Stitch(es)
YO = Yarnover

For a refresher on loom knitting basics see the blog posts below to get started:
13 Questions for Beginner Loom Knitters
How to Loom Knit Basics (cast on, knit, purl, & bind off)
How to Loom Knit Basic Stitch Patterns (garter st, seed st and ribbing)
How to Loom Knit in the Round

GAUGE
Gauge is not important for this pattern.

SKILL LEVEL Intermediate

SIZES 
Small (Medium, Large)

MEASUREMENTS
Skinny: Approx. 11” high & 26” wide (32.5” wide, 39” wide)
Chunky: Approx. 11.5” high & 26” wide (36.5” wide,  47” wide)

NOTES 

Cast on:  I recommend the long tail or the chain cast on for this pattern.

Indian Cross Stitch section:  In the center section of Indian Cross Stitch some rounds do not begin on Peg 1.  Pay close attention during this portion and follow the chart.    See detailed notes in pattern instructions.

Knit stitches: Please note that K denotes the U-wrap knit stitch and EK denotes E-wrap knit stitches.  They are not interchangeable in this pattern.

Ewrap Yarnover:  – Peg must be Ewrapped to set up the stitch correctly. Do not use a yarnover that wraps only the front of the peg.

Bind off: Bind off in pattern as follows.  Use the 1×1 rib pattern as you bind off alternating K1, P1.  Use an Ewrap Knit (instead of U-wrap knit) when binding off to give your bind off more stretch. The basic bind off in pattern is to Knit Peg 1, Purl Peg 2, move 2 onto 1 and knit off (bottom loop over top).  Since Peg 2 was purled, Knit Peg 3 and bind off.  Then Purl Peg 4 and continue to bind off in pattern.

Color changes: While this pattern is designed in one color, if you choose to switch colors I recommend doing so on “K all.” rounds only.  

Skinny Loom Knit Retreat Cowl Instructions

Part 1: Cast on, Ribbing and Diamond Lace Stitch (Rnds 1-7)

Cast on 96 (120, 144) stitches in the round.

1×1 Ribbing pattern

Rnd 1: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of round
Rnd 2-4: Rep Rnd 1 three times. 

Diamond Lace Stitch pattern

Rnd 5: *Sl, EK, EK previous slipped stitch and knit over both. Rep from * until working yarn is coming from last peg and Peg 1 has been worked 1 more time.
Rnds 6-7: Rep Rnd 5 twice. 

Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch (Rnds 8-37)

Seagrass Stitch pattern

Rnd 8: *BO 1, EWYO rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 9: K all.

Rnds 10-13: Rep Rnds 8-9 twice.

Rnd 14: P all.
Rnd 15: K all
Rnd 16: P all.

Indian Cross Stitch pattern

STEP 1 – Set-up Drop stitches

Rnd 17: *EK 1, then wrap same peg 3 times. Rep from * to last peg. EK 1. You do not need to wrap the last peg 3 times.

STEP 2 – Cross (drop) stitches [NOTE: Be sure to hold your working yarn to back of the loom at end of round before crossing.]

1. Unwrap and drop first 12-18 sts and 3-6 sts from end of round. Pull down drop stitches by tugging on knitting to guide the drop stitches to hang evenly. Do not pull down all drop stitch as they will be too loose and can fall off the loom.

2. Right cross 3 under 3 all the way around the loom as follows. The right 3 stitches are picked up with a cable needle or fingers and held back. Move the left 3 stitches to the right 3 empty pegs. Place stitches from cable needle to empty pegs on the left.

3. Repeat 1-2 until all sts are crossed. 

Rnd 18: P all. (These are the stitches you just crossed and they will be loose.)

Rnd 19: K all. 

Rnd 20: P all.

Rnds 21-24: Rep Rnds 17-20 for Indian Cross Stitch pattern but begin Rnd 21 on Peg 4.  You will cross the first 3 skipped stitches when you get to the end of the round.  This repeat of the stitch pattern is staggered from the round above.

Rnds 25-28: Rep Rnds 17-20 (begin on Peg 1)

Rnds 29-32: Rep Rnds 21-24 (begin on Peg 4)

Rnds 33-36: Rep Rnds 17-20 (begin on Peg 1)

Rnd 37: K all.

Part 3: Repeated Stitch Patterns and Finishing (Rnds 38-50)

Seagrass Stitch pattern

Rnd 38: *BO 1, EWYO. Rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 39: K all.

Rnds 40-43: Rep Rnds 38-39 twice.

Diamond Lace Stitch pattern

Rnd 44: *Sl, EK, EK previous slipped stitch and knit over both. Rep from * until working yarn is coming from last peg and Peg 1 has been worked 1 more time.

Rnds 45-46: Rep Rnd 44 twice. 

1×1 Ribbing pattern

Rnd 47: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of round
Rnd 48-50: Repeat Rnd 47 three times. 

Bind off in pattern.

CHART – Skinny Retreat Cowl (PART 1)

BONUS CONTENT! Multicolor Skinny Retreat Cowl

I used Mary Maxim Starlette yarn to make this colorful version of the cowl. Download or screenshot the chart above and color it in to create your own colorful version of the Retreat Cowl. To duplicate what I did use the instructions and chart for the Skinny Retreat Cowl and change colors as follows:

Color A: Lime (green)
Color B: Light Azure (blue)
Color C: Amethyst (purple)
Color D: Hot Pink

With A: Rnds 1-14
With B: Rnds 15-16
With C: Rnds 17-18
With A: Rnds 19-20
With D: Rnds 21-22
With B: Rnds 23-24
With C: Rnds 25-26
With B: Rnds 27-28
With D: Rnds 29-30
With A: Rnds 31-32
With C: Rnds 33-34
With B: Rnds 35-36
With A: Rnds 37-50

Chunky Loom Knit Retreat Cowl Instructions

Part 1: Cast on, Ribbing and Diamond Lace Stitch (Rnds 1-6)

Cast on 60 (84, 108) stitches in the round.

1×1 Ribbing pattern

Rnd 1: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of round
Rnd 2-4: Rep Rnd 1 three times. 

Diamond Lace Stitch pattern

Rnd 5: *Sl, EK, EK previous slipped stitch and knit over both. Rep from * until working yarn is coming from last peg and Peg 1 has been worked 1 more time.
Rnd 6: Rep Rnd 5 once more. 

Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch (Rnds 7-26)

Seagrass Stitch pattern

Rnd 7: *BO 1, EWYO rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 8: K all.

Rnds 9-10: Rep Rnds 7-8 once more.

Rnd 11: P all.
Rnd 12: K all.
Rnd 13: P all.

Indian Cross Stitch pattern

*STEP 1 – Set-up Drop stitches

Rnd 14: *EK 1, then wrap same peg 3 times. Rep from * to last peg. EK 1. You do not need to wrap the last peg 3 times.

STEP 2 – Cross (drop) stitches [NOTE: Be sure to hold your working yarn to back of the loom at end of round before crossing.]

1. Unwrap and drop first 12-18 sts and 3-6 sts from end of round. Pull down drop stitches by tugging on knitting to guide the drop stitches to hang evenly. Do not pull down all drop stitch as they will too loose and can fall off the loom.

2. Right cross 3 under 3 all the way around the loom as follows. The right 3 stitches are picked up with a cable needle or fingers and held back. Move the left 3 stitches to the right 3 empty pegs. Place stitches from cable needle to empty pegs on the left.

3. Repeat 1-2 until all sts are crossed. 

Rnd 15: P all. (These are the stitches you just crossed and they will be loose.)

Rnd 16: K all. 

Rnd 17: P all.

Rnds 18-21: Rep Rnds 14-17 for Indian Cross Stitch pattern but begin Rnd 21 on Peg 4.  You will cross the first 3 skipped stitches when you get to the end of the round.  This repeat of the stitch pattern is staggered from the round above.

Rnds 22-25: Rep Rnds 14-17 (begin on Peg 1)

Rnd 26: K all.

Part 3 – Repeated Stitch Patterns & Finishing (Rnds 27-36)

Seagrass Stitch pattern

Rnd 27: *BO 1, EWYO. Rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 28: K all.

Rnds 29-30: Rep Rnds 27-28 once more.

Diamond Lace Stitch pattern

Rnd 31: *Sl, EK, EK previous slipped stitch and knit over both. Rep from * until working yarn is coming from last peg and Peg 1 has been worked 1 more time.

Rnd 32: Rep Rnd 31 once more. 

1×1 Ribbing pattern

Rnd 33: *K1, P1. Rep from * to end of round
Rnd 34-36: Repeat Rnd 33 three times. 

Bind off in pattern.

CHART – Chunky Retreat Cowl (Parts 1 & 2)

PIN IT!

Loom Knit Retreat Cowl Video Tutorials

If any of the videos below do not show they may be restricted to GoodKnit Kisses YouTube members only. Find out more about GKK Membership HERE!

These tutorial videos cover everything from planning your project by helping you choose your gauge, yarn and cowl size to working the pattern from cast on to bind off. Each part of this 3 week loom along series has all the details you need to help you loom knit your own Retreat Cowl.

Here’s our loom along schedule:

• May 15 – Overview of the pattern including supplies needed, sizes and more.
• May 22 – Part 1: Cast on, Ribbing and Diamond Lace Stitch sections of the pattern
• May 29 – Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch patterns.
• June 5 – Part 3: Follow the chart to repeat the stitch patterns we’ve already learned and finish the cowl.

Overview: Sizes, Supplies, etc.

Part 1: Ribbing & Diamond Lace (Clockwise)

Part 1: Ribbing & Diamond Lace (Counter Clockwise)

Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch (Clockwise)

Part 2: Seagrass Stitch and Indian Cross Stitch (Counter Clockwise)

Part 3: Repeated Stitch Patterns and Finishing (Clockwise)

Part 3: Repeated Stitch Patterns and Finishing (Counter Clockwise)

Members Only Bonus Video

This video is available exclusively to our GoodKnit Kisses YouTube VIP Members. Find out more about GKK Membership HERE!

NOTE to Members: You must be logged in to your YouTube account on your device to see this video.

Thanks for joining the Loom Knit Retreat Cowl Loom Along! Please tag me on Instagram @goodknitkisses and use #loomknitretreatcowl to show off your beautiful cowl!