Threads of a Daydream - Free Bandana Cowl Knitting Pattern
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Threads of a Daydream was born from the desire to create a knitting experience that feels as luxurious and grounding as the finished piece. Inspired by the soft halo and elegant drape of La Bien Aimée’s Cashmerino and Suri + Silk blend, this bandana cowl blends beauty with mindfulness.
The design reflects a love for slow, intentional making—each stitch a moment to pause, connect, and find joy in the process (and yarn!). The unique slip stitch textures creates a sense of depth and movement, while the yarn’s silky softness feels like a warm, tactile embrace. This pattern is slowness, an invitation to explore your craft with care and intention, and a reminder that knitting is about more than the result—it’s about the journey.
Threads of a Daydream is a top-down bandana cowl featuring:
Unique Slip Stitch Patterns: Adds texture and visual interest with floating slip stitches.
Luxurious Yarn Choice: Knit with Cashmerino and Suri + Silk for a soft, haloed fabric that drapes beautifully.
Polished Finishing Details: Cozy ribbing, a tubular bind-off, and an optional tassel for a playful touch.
This pattern is perfect for knitters seeking a tactile, mindful project that blends elegance with wearability. Whether you’re new to slip stitch techniques or a seasoned knitter, the intuitive construction and rhythmic design make this project as satisfying to knit as it is to wear.
Whether you’re knitting for yourself or someone special, Threads of a Daydream is a project that invites you to craft with purpose, to dream with your hands, and to create something that will be cherished for years to come.
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Pattern Information
Yarn
Light fingering weight yarn
La Bien Aimée Cashmerino (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Cashmere, 10% Nylon / Polyamide; 474 yds / 433 m per 100 g skein).
1 skein in Pinkfetti
La Bien Aimée Kumo (74% Suri Alpaca, 26% Mulberry Silk; 328 yds / 300 m per 50 g skein).
1 skein in Pinkfetti
Needles
US 4 / 3.5 mm or size needed to obtain gauge, 24 in / 60 cm (or longer) circular needle
A long circular needle is recommended for accommodating stitch count as the project grows.
Gauge
24 sts and 40 rows over 4 in./10 cm in Full Diamond Stitch pattern with US 4 needle size and after blocking.
Note: Gauge is not crucial, but differences will affect yardage and final dimensions.
Notions
4 locking stitch markers
Darning/tapestry needle (for weaving in ends).
Sizing
Circumference: 17 in/43 cm
Length: 22 in/56 cm
Abbreviations
BOR: beginning of round
CO: cast on
k below: pick up thread below and knit with the next stitch
k: knit
kfb: knit 1 front and back
m: marker
p: purl
pfb: purl 1 front and back
pm: place marker
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sl wyif: slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front
sm: slip marker
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over
Pattern Instructions
Garter Tab Cast On
CO 3 sts. Place a locking stitch marker (m) through these stitches for easier handling later.
Knit 10 rows, forming a small rectangle.
Turn your work, then pick up and knit 5 sts along the purl bumps on the edge of the rectangle.
Turn again and pick up and knit 3 sts from the cast-on edge, removing the stitch marker as needed.
🏁 Count check: You should now have 11 sts on your needle, ready to begin the shawl. Turn to work next row.
Half Diamond Section
🏁 This section is worked flat.
Marker Setup (WS): P3, pm1, k2, pm2, k1, pm3, k2, pm4, P3.
You will be slipping markers (sm) as you come to them throughout the pattern.
Work Half Diamond Stitch rows [1-6] once. (23 sts)
Work Half Diamond Stitch rows [7-18] three times. The project increases by 4 sts on every RS row.
🏁 Count check: At the end of this section, you should have 115 sts.
Work Simple Slip Stitch (Flat) rows [1-2] once. (119 sts)
✅ First section completed!
Section 1
Work row/rnd 1 (RS) of the Full Diamond Stitch as normal.
Join in the round (rnd) at the end of row 1:
Switch the first and last stitches of the row.
K1, then place BOR marker to mark the start of the round. K all sts for rnd 2, removing m1 and m4. (123 sts)
At this point, the cowl increases by 2 sts each odd rnd.
Continue working rnds [3-62] of the Full Diamond Stitch pattern.
🏁 Count check: You should have 181 sts total on your needle at the end of this section.
Work Simple Slip Stitch (Rnd) rnds [1-2] once, after reaching the required number of sts.
✅ Second section completed!
Double Ribbing
Work and repeat Double Ribbing rnds [1-6] until the fabric measures approximately 2 in / 5 cm.
Once finished, convert the 2x2 rib to 1x1 rib in preparation for the bind-off.
Check out THIS video tutorial on this technique.
✅ Third section completed!
Tubular Bind-Off
Ensure your yarn is threaded and stitches are prepared for the tubular bind-off.
Check out THIS video tutorial on this technique.
Weave in any loose yarn ends.
Finishing
Soak your project in lukewarm water with wool wash (if available) for 10–15 minutes, gently pressing to remove air bubbles.
Remove from water and gently squeeze out excess water without wringing.
Roll your project in a towel and step on it to press out additional moisture.
Block your project using T-pins or blocking wires:
Stretch to the desired dimensions and pin securely.
Let air dry completely before removing the pins.
Stitch Patterns & Charts
Half Diamond Stitch
Row 1 (RS): P3, sm, yo, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, yo, sm, p3.
Row 2 and all WS rows: P all sts.
Row 3: P3, sm, yo, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, yo, sm, p3.
Row 5: P3, sm, yo, k5, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k5, yo, sm, p3.
Row 7: P3, sm, yo, k1, *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to m2, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, **sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to m4, yo, sm, p3.
Row 9: P3, sm, yo, k2, *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 1 st before m2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, **k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 1 st before m4, k1, yo, sm, sm, p3.
Row 11: P3, sm, yo, k3, *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 2 sts before m2, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, **sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 2 sts before m4, k2, yo, sm, p3.
Row 13: P3, sm, yo, k4, *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, **k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 3 sts before m4, k3, yo, sm, p3.
Row 15: P3, sm, yo, k1, sl wyif × 4, *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 3, (kfb, k1) × 2, sl wyif × 3, k1, **sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4, sl wyif × 3, k1, yo, sm, p3.
Row 17: P3, sm, yo, k3, k below, k2, *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, k3, k below, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, k below, k3, **k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4, k2, k below, k2, yo, p3.
Row 18: P all sts.
Simple Slip Stitch (Flat)
Row 1 (RS): P3, sm, yo, *p1, sl wyif ; rep from * to 2 sts before m2, p1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, **p1, sl wyif ; rep from ** to 1 st before m4, p1, yo, sm, p3.
Row 2 (WS): P3, sm, k1, sl wyib, *k1, sl wyib ; rep from * to 2 sts before m3, k1, p1, sm, p1, sm, p1, k1, sl wyib, **k1, sl wyibf ; rep from ** to 1 st before m1, k1, sm, p3.
Full Diamond Stitch
Row/Rnd 1 (RS): K until m2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k until end.
All even-numbered rnds: K all sts.
Rnd 3: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 5: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2, k3, k below, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, k below, k3, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 6 sts before m4.
Rnd 7: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 7 sts before m2, sl wyif × 3, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, sl wyif × 3, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 7 sts before m4.
Rnd 9: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 8 sts before m2, k below, k7, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k7, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 11: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 13: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4.
Rnd 15: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, sl wyif × 3, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, sl wyif × 3, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 17: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2, k below, k5, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k5, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2.
Rnd 19: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 7 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 5, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, sl wyif × 5, k1, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 7 sts before m4.
Rnd 21: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 8 sts before m2, k3, k below, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, k below, k3, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 8 sts before m4.
Rnd 23: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, sl wyif × 2, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, sl wyif × 2, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 3 sts before m4.
Rnd 25: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k below, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4.
Rnd 27: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 29: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2, k3, k below, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, k below, k3, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 6 sts before m4.
Rnd 31: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 7 sts before m2, sl wyif × 3, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, sl wyif × 3, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 7 sts before m4.
Rnd 33: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 8 sts before m2, k below, k7, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k7, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 8 sts before m4.
Rnd 35: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 3 sts before m4.
Rnd 37: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4.
Rnd 39: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, sl wyif × 3, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, sl wyif × 3, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 41: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2, k below, k5, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k5, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 6 sts before m4.
Rnd 43: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 7 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 4, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, sl wyif × 4, k1, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 7 sts before m4.
Rnd 45: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 8 sts before m2, k3, k below, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, k below, k3, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 8 sts before m4.
Rnd 47: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, sl wyif, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, sl wyif, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 3 sts before m4.
Rnd 49: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k below, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4.
Rnd 51: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 5 sts before m2, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k1, sl wyif × 3, k1, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 5 sts before m4.
Rnd 53: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 6 sts before m2, k3, k below, k2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k2, k below, k3, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 6 sts before m4.
Rnd 55: K1 *sl wyif × 3, k1, sl wyif × 2 ; rep from * to 7 sts before m2, sl wyif × 3, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, sl wyif × 3, *sl wyif × 2, k1, sl wyif × 3 ; rep from ** to 7 sts before m4.
Rnd 57: K1 *k below, k5 ; rep from * to 8 sts before m2, k below, k7, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k7, k below, *k5, k below ; rep from ** to 8 sts before m4.
Rnd 59: K1 *k1, sl wyif × 5 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, k3, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k3, *sl wyif × 5, k1 ; rep from ** to 3 sts before m4.
Rnd 61: K1 *k3, k below, k2 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, k4, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k4, *k2, k below, k3 ; rep from ** to 4 sts before m4.
Rnd 62: K all sts.
Simple Slip Stitch (Rnd)
Rnd 1: *P1, sl wyif ; rep from * to m2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, **p1, sl wyif ; rep from ** until end.
Rnd 2: *Sl wyif, p1 ; rep from * to 1 st before m2, p1, k1, sm, k1, sm, p1, **sl wyif, p1 ; rep from ** until end.
Tubular Ribbing Stitch
Rnd 1: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 1 st before m2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
Rnd 2: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 2 sts before m2, p2, sm, k1, sm p2, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
Rnd 3: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 2 sts before m2, p1, pfb, sm, k1, sm, pfb, p1, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
Rnd 4: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, p2, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, p2, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
Rnd 5: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 3 sts before m2, p2, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, p2, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
Rnd 6: K2, *p2, k2 ; rep from * to 4 sts before m2, p2, k2, sm, k1, sm, k2, p2, **k2, p2 ; rep from ** to end.
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