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A quick knit bandanna cowl is the perfect way to use a fun single ball of yarn you aren’t quite sure what to do with.
This funky ball of yarn — Comin’ Up Flowers, a discontinued offering from Southwest Trading Company, though it looks like they still have it on their website — was sent to me by the company years ago and I never knew what to do with it.
The other day I saw it hanging out on my yarn shelf and, in a fit of inspiration, I decided I just wanted to make something with it.
So I started knitting a triangle.
I figured it might make a tiny shawl, which it did, but I like it even better with the ends sewn together so it can be worn like a cowl. That way it doesn’t fall off your shoulders as a short shawl like this otherwise might.
Of course you probably don’t have a skein of this funky yarn in your stash, but the knit bandana cowl idea works with a single skein of just about any kind of yarn.
Supplies I Used for My Bandanna Cowl
- one skein Comin’ Up Flowers yarn in color B707
- one pair size 10.5US/6.5mm knitting needles (I used circulars but straights are fine, too)
- locking stitch marker (optional)
- kitchen scale for weighing yarn
- yarn needle for sewing
How to Knit a Bandanna Cowl
Cast on 3 stitches.
Knit 1 row. If desired, mark the right side of the work with a locking stitch marker.
Knit in the front and back of the first stitch, then knit the remaining stitches.
Knit 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows until you have used half your yarn. I weighed my skein, which was about 150 grams, so I knew once I had used 75 grams I was halfway through.
On the next row where you would have increased, instead knit 2 together and knit across.
Knit 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows until 3 stitches remain.
Bind off.
Use any remaining yarn tail or another yarn to sew the ends of the triangle together to make a cowl. I used a very short yarn tail; I think I will go back and sew a bit more together later.
Choose Your Own Bandanna Cowl Adventure
If you want to make your own knit bandanna cowl with yarn you already have in your stash, it’s pretty simple to do. My yarn is a bulky and was 105 yards/150 grams. If you choose something similar your piece will come out around the same size.
But you can use any weight yarn and any size ball to make a similar project, only the size will vary depending on the weight and yardage of the yarn.
My cowl took a few hours to knit, so if you have some bulky yarn you’d like to use, this makes for a quick, easy and fun project perfect for gift knitting.
I always feel bad when a single skein of yarn hangs around for years waiting for just the right project, but I think this one is a lot of fun and was worth the wait.
What do you do with single skeins of yarn? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Want more easy knitting? Try this fun knit wall hanging.
