The Chicago Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

I’m always so thankful for the love and support my Etsy customers show me. To show my appreciation I’m offering this knitting pattern for The Chicago Cowl for FREE! Happy Knitting Friends!

THE CHICAGO COWL by Bo Peep’s Bonnets

Materials needed:

  • U.S. 17, 24 or 16 inch circular needles
  • 100 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Butterscotch (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • 40 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Wheat (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 2 stitches = 1 inch

PATTERN

With the US 17 needles and the Butterscotch yarn cast on 48 stitches. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist your stitches.

Round 1-4 : *Knit 2, Purl 2 repeat from * all around

Next - Repeat the following Pattern Sequence 6 times

  • Pattern Sequence Round 1: Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 2 -* Knit 1 with wheat, Knit 3 with butterscotch repeat from * all around
  • Pattern Sequence Round 3 - Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 4 - (Knit 2 with butterscotch) *Knit 1 with wheat, knit 3 with butterscotch, *repeat until last two stitches then knit 1 with wheat, knit 1 with butterscotch

After you have repeated the above pattern sequence 6 times knit one round with butterscotch. Next work in a Knit 2 Purl 2 rib for 4 rounds with butterscotch. Bind off all stitches. Weave in all ends.

If you enjoyed this pattern please check out my Etsy shop for more patterns and cozy knits. The sales from my Etsy store completed fund my charity for cancer patients - Hand Knits for Hope. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with hair loss due to cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatments please CLICK HERE to request a free hat for them. XOXO - Bo Peep

 

How knitting saved my life

Okay so maybe that’s a little extreme - but I used to be an actor so I like the added drama. This was the situation - my husband had just lost his job, my mom had just been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, we had a 2 year old - and I didn’t know what the heck to do.

My mom lives 4 hours from me so I felt helpless. I couldn’t go there everyday to help and I didn’t know if she was going to make it through the chemo. I had just seen my Grandma lose her battle with uterine cancer and I couldn’t bare the thought of losing the other the woman in my life who I held so dear.

My mom, me, and my daughter after her first chemo treatment

My mom, me, and my daughter after her first chemo treatment

We needed money. My husband had been working as a professional actor for a decade and now there was no contract to be seen. Despite the financial woes all I could think was - I have to help my mom - I have to help all the people who are going through chemo - I have to do something - and I have no money to work with (don’t worry it gets better).

A shop had just moved in down the road called Sweet Charity (which is now Fresh Vintage by Amy if you want to check it out). They sold artisan made products that were dedicated to giving back. Immediately, I knew what to do. I walked down to the shop with 5 handmade hats and a mission to donate one free hat per five sold to Nemours Children’s Hospital. The owners graciously excepted my work (which is a far cry from what I offer today) into the shop and the rest is - as they say - history.

One of the first hats I ever sold

The first hat I ever sold on Etsy

The first five hats I took down to Sweet Charity - oh how far we have come!

The first five hats I took down to Sweet Charity - oh how far we have come!

The demand for product got bigger so I started to sell on Etsy. The need for donation hats that could be shipped straight to patients became apparent so I coded my own website that would allow that.

All of a sudden I needed to hire staff, order in bulk, turn my cat closet into a knitting studio, and knit round the clock. God had turned what I had seen as curse into a blessing. I had all the money I needed to completely fund the charity thanks to my wonderful Etsy customers and I had enough left over to help pay the bills.

My knitting studio

My knitting studio

Now for the important part - my mom is healed! After extensive surgery and two years of chemo she is alive - beautiful - and healthy! Praise the Lord! As for me I must also praise the Lord. I am able to stay at home with our daughter while running a legitimate business. A business that I would have never thought of had difficulty not struck our lives.

Me and my mom a few months ago

Me and my mom a few months ago - in matching hand knit cowls of course

So be encouraged my friends. Someone high above and mighty is looking out for you. He loves you. He cares about you. And he will provide for you.

Work hard. Pray hard. He will show you the way.

Some of our popular current designs

Some of our popular current designs