From Cowltopus to Hoodola: The Cozy Appeal of Hooded Cowls

There’s no denying it—knitted hoods are the snow-stopping accessory of the season! Whether you’re bundling up for a frosty walk, running errands or headed to the slopes, hoods are stealing the spotlight this year.

My fashion forecasting skills must be on fire because, in 2024, I designed two Hooded Cowls: Cowltopus and Hoodola. Cowltopus was 2024’s MKAL (mystery-knit-a-long) and was inspired by the mantle of an octopus. Cowtopus is worked in two colors, from the top of the hood downwards, and it has detailed video tutorials for walking knitters through every step of the pattern. Hoodola came along after Cowltopus’s reveal. It has the same shaping as Cowltopus, but the stitches are simpler… the Hoodola pattern is accessible for all, from fearless beginners to expert knitters looking for a soothing knit to sink their needles into.

One thing I adore about these hoods is all the ways you can wear them:

• With the hood over your head, and the cowl neck hanging down!
• With the hood dropped down, ready to pull up at a moment’s notice!
• As a Balaclava: Just tuck the long cowl neck inside your hood and pull it over your nose

Seeing as they’ve both gotten a lot of attention lately, I thought I would pull together a little resource page to provide everything anyone could ever need to knit either (or both!) of these cozy hoods!

Cowltopus

It’s a top-down hood knit in DK weight yarn. Cowltops starts with Judy’s Magic Cast-On. The hood is worked flat with textured two-color stitches and then joined in the round to shape the hood and start the cowl. You can choose between two options for the cowl portion: Complextopus (brioche) or Simplopus (2x2 ribbing). If you’ve been curious about trying brioche, this is the perfect project to dive in! Cowltopus’ video tutorials will walk you through every step. Prefer to keep it simple? Ribbing is equally stunning and a little more straightforward. Since the pattern was originally a mystery knit-a-long it is broken down into clues, which were released one at a time. When you purchase the pattern you will receive all four clues at once; Clues 1 and 2 are the hood, and Clues 3 and 4 are the neck.

Get the Cowltopus pattern today!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura Nelkin (aka Lola!) (@lauranelkin)

Hoodola

This design offers a more streamlined knit, perfect for anyone who wants a hooded cowl without the extra complexity. The construction is unique and satisfying: it starts at the top with Judy’s Magic Cast On, worked flat in stockinette down to the neck with shaping, then joined in the round and finished with ribbing until it’s the perfect length for you. Hoodola is an inviting clean slate just waiting for your personal touch. You can choose DK, Worsted, or Aran weight yarns —to make it as light or as toasty as you like.

The pattern has been updated to include an optional casing — my girl asked for one on her holiday present and I found out y’all wanted one too!

Get the Hoodola pattern today!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura Nelkin (aka Lola!) (@lauranelkin)

FAQ

Do you have a crochet version?
No, sorry! I’m not a crochet designer, and I’m not quite sure where to start to convert these to crochet!

Do you sell finished Hoodola’s or Cowltopuses?
GAH, I wish I could… I am not a fast enough knitter, nor do I have enough hours in the day. If you really want one, maybe it is time to learn to knit! I suggest starting with a simple washcloth or two, and once you have knit and purl stitches down pat it is time to attack Hoodola!

Which pattern is better for a new knitter?
Hoodola! It has the same shape as Cowltopus but the stitches are way simpler.

I love Cowltopus but I’m scared of brioche…is there another option?
Yes! Cowltopus comes with two options for the neck. You can work it in two by two ribbing or brioche. The videos walk you through both options.

Purchase the patterns for Hoodola or Cowltopus today... knit one and stay WARM this winter!