This dog cowl knitting pattern is great for beginners because it only requires learning one stitch; the knit stitch. When it comes to knitting, the best way to get good at a particular stitch is to do it over and over and over again. You’ll definitely get to do that with this dog cowl knitting pattern!

dachshund wearing a knitted cowl in green

This dog cowl is harness friendly because it’s worn around the neck.

The techniques you’ll use with this pattern are the same you would use to knit a scarf. So once you’ve mastered this knitted dog cowl, you’ll have the tools and know-how to create your own scarf!

dachshund wearing a knitted cowl in natural colors

Join us for an in-person, knitted dog cowl class.

Tools to knit your dog cowl

9″ Knitting needles, size US 13
- Bamboo needles are great for beginners. I love clover brand knitting needles, which are linked above
Scissors
Tapestry (yarn) needle

Materials to knit your dog cowl

Super Bulky 6 weight yarn
- I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Grass, for the green cowl and in Fossil, for the tan/off white cowl
- For each dog cowl as shown, I used 24 yards of yarn. For a larger cowl, you’ll need more yarn. These skeins come in the following lengths: 87 yds. for prints/stripes (like the Fossil), 92 yds for metallics and 106 yds. for solids (like the Green). So one skein of yarn should be enough for even a very large dog cowl.

Additional notes

Knitted Dog Cowl Finished Size: Approx. 3.25″ high, 12″ circumference
- Cast on more stitches and increase rows to create a higher and longer cowl
Cowl is worked in one piece and then seamed
Total Knitting Time: ~2.5 hours
Exact gauge is not required for this project
- Because you can easily measure your cast on stitches to determine when you have a height of 3.25″ and measure your knitted rows to determine when you have 12″ in length (circumference) there is no need to create a Gauge Swatch

Skills you need for this dog cowl knitting pattern

Know how create a Slip Knot and Cast On stitches
Know how to garter stitch (Knit Every Stitch of every row)
Know how to Seam Cast On and Bind Off Edges Together
Know how to Weave In Ends in garter stitch

How to measure your dog’s neck

Cowl Height (see image): To measure the height, take a paper towel (or hand towel for a larger dog) and fold to the height you think you might need, then wrap it around your dog’s neck. Adjust as necessary until you have the look you want, then measure the height.

measuring a dogs neck to determine height used for dog cowl knitting pattern

measuring a dogs neck to determine length used for dog cowl knitting pattern

Cowl Length/Circumference (see image): To measure the length (circumference) around your dog’s neck, use a string and wrap is snugly around the neck, JUST behind the ears, then measure the string. The knitted cowl will stretch which is why you do NOT want to measure at the base of the neck. If you measure at the base, the cowl will stretch and slip down around the shoulder blades instead of staying around the neck.

Free Dog Cowl Knitting Pattern

Size

Finished Height about 3.25″
Finished Circumference about 12″

Knitting Pattern Abbreviations

CO Cast on
st(s) Stitch(es)
BO Bind off

Pattern

CO 7 sts (or the number of stitches you need to achieve the cowl height you want).
Work in Garter st (knit every st on every row) until your work is 12″ (or whatever length/circumference you need).
BO, leaving a tail that is at least 3 times as long as the height of your cowl.
Thread yarn tail into tapestry(yarn) needle and seam short ends of piece (CO to BO) together to make the cowl.
Weave in ends.