Ansel Neckwarmer

Christmas in July Make Along

This free pattern is part of the 8th Annual Christmas in July Make Along hosted by Underground Crafter. Throughout July, participating designers and bloggers are sharing free knitting, crochet, and sewing patterns to help you get a head start on your handmade holiday gifts.

Visit the event page for the complete schedule, participating designers, and prize giveaway details. Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CIJMakeAlong2026 and #undergroundcrafter on all social media.

For my contribution to this year's Make Along, I designed Ansel, a cozy neckwarmer that combines thoughtful construction with a clean, modern silhouette.

Ansel was designed for warmth, comfort, and everyday wear, combining practical construction with a clean, modern silhouette. The shaped neck opening and ribbed collar create a comfortable fit that layers easily beneath coats and jackets while providing extra warmth where it is needed most.

Worked from the bottom up, the design introduces knitters to simple garment-style construction techniques in a manageable and wearable project.

Want to customize Ansel using your own gauge and preferred measurements? Subscribe below to receive the free Knit-to-Fit Neckwarmer System, including the Knit-to-Fit Guide and Neckwarmer Calculator.

Get the Free Knit-to-Fit Neckwarmer System

As with all Top of the World Knits patterns, Ansel has been fully tech edited for clarity and accuracy.

SIZES 

One Size 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS AFTER BLOCKING

A: 22.75” // 57 cm Neckband Circumference (unstretched)

B: 15” // 37.5 cm Length from shoulder to hem

C: 13” // 32.5 cm Width at bottom

SKILLS NEEDED

This pattern is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting techniques, including knit and purl stitches, working 2x2 ribbing, knitting flat and in the round, picking up stitches, and working simple decreases.

KNIT-TO-FIT NECKWARMER GUIDE & CALCULATOR BONUS

Want to customize your neckwarmer using your own gauge and preferred fit? Subscribe to Top of the World Knits to receive the free Knit-to-Fit Neckwarmer Calculator Bonus. The calculator is designed to help knitters adjust measurements for different yarns, gauges, and fit preferences, rather than relying solely on the included sample-size pattern.

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

The front and back are worked flat separately from the bottom up and joined at the shoulders. Stitches are then picked up around the neck opening to work the ribbed neckband.

YARN

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky 100 g, 137 yd /125 m, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 3 skeins of Masala colorway

OR 

320 yds //  293 m in Bulky weight 

Yardage is approximate and may vary depending on gauge, fiber content, and individual tension.

NEEDLES

- US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needle, 16–20” / 40–50 cm long, for neckband.

- US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needle, 24” / 60 cm long, for body.

GAUGE

14 sts and 22 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch worked flat on gauge needles, after blocking.

To save time, take time to check your gauge.

NOTIONS

Tapestry needle

Waste yarn 

ABBREVIATIONS

beg: begin(ning)

BO: bind off

CO: cast on

dec: decrease

k: knit

k2tog: knit next 2 sts on the left hand needle together (1 st dec)

LH: left hand 

patt: pattern

PU: pick up

p: purl

pwise: purlwise; insert the right needle as if to purl and transfer the stitch without working it

rem: remain(ing)

rep: repeat

RH: right hand 

Rnd: round

RS: right side

Sl: slip

ssk: slip the next two sts on the LH needle as if to knit individually. Then knit them together through the back loop (1 st dec)

st(s): stitch(es)

wyif: with yarn in front

WS: wrong side

WY: waste yarn

2x2 Garter-Rib Stitch Pattern (worked flat) (multiple of 4 sts + 12; 1-row rep) 

Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 pwise wyif, k5, p2, k2; rep from to last 6 sts, p2, k4

Rep Row 1 for pattern.

Garter-Stockinette Stitch Pattern (worked flat) (multiple of 1 st+ 8; 2-row rep) 

Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 pwise wyif, k to end.

Row 2 (WS): Sl 1 pwise wyif, k3, p to last 4 sts, k4.

Rep two rows for pattern.

2x2 Rib Pattern (in the round) (multiple of 4 sts)

Rnd 1: K2, p2; rep from to end. 

Rep Rnd 1 for pattern.

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

Mattress Stitch

For instructions and video tutorials, click here - https://www.purlsoho.com/create/mattress-stitch/

INSTRUCTIONS

FRONT

With gauge needles, CO 48 sts using your preferred cast-on method. Beg working 2x2 Garter-Rib st patt until piece measures 3” // 7.5 cm from CO edge, ending after WS row.

Beg working Garter-Stockinette st patt until front measures approximately 13” // 32.5 cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Neck Shaping

Next Row (RS): Work across 30 sts, maintaining patt. Move last 12 sts worked from RH needle to WY for front neck and then move rem 18 sts worked from RH needle to separate WY for left shoulder. Work to end.

DESIGNER NOTE - When working the shoulders, the garter edging will continue on the shoulder edge only. The neckline edge will be in stockinette throughout.

Right Front Shoulder

Next Row (WS): . Sl 1 pwise wyif, k3, purl to end.

Dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end.

Rep last 2 rows 5 more times. 12 sts rem.

BO sts. 

Break yarn.

Left Front Shoulder

With RS facing, place 18 left shoulder sts from waste yarn onto a needle. Rejoin yarn.

Dec Row (RS): Sl 1 pwise wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Next Row (WS): Purl to last 4 stitches, k4.

Rep last 2 rows 5 more times. 12 sts rem.

BO sts.

Break yarn.

BACK

Work as for front until piece measures approximately 14” // 35 cm from cast-on edge, ending after WS row. 

Neck Shaping

With RS facing, work across 36 sts, maintaining patt. Move last 24 sts worked from RH needle to WY for back neck and then move rem 12 sts worked from RH needle to separate WY for right shoulder. Work to end.

Left Back Shoulder

Next Row (WS): Sl1 pwise wyif k3, purl to end.

Next Row (RS): Knit.

Rep the two rows above until left back shoulder measures 1” // 2.5 cm from neck shaping, ending after WS row. BO sts in patt.

Right Back Shoulder

With WS facing, place the 12 right shoulder sts on the needle. Rejoin yarn.

Next Row (WS): Purl to last 4 sts, k4.

Next Row (RS): Sl1 pwise wyif, knit to end. 

Rep the two rows above until right back shoulder measures 1” // 2.5 cm from neck shaping, ending after RS row. BO sts in patt.

FINISHING

Block pieces to schematic measurements.

Join shoulder seams using mattress stitch.

Weave in any remaining ends.

NECKBAND

With shorter needles and starting at the top right shoulder, PU 22 sts evenly along the first diagonal neck edge, knit across the 12 front neck sts, PU 22 sts evenly along the second diagonal neck edge, and knit across the 24 back neck sts. 80 sts total. Ensure the total stitch count is divisible by 4.

Work 2x2 Rib in the round for approximately 8” // 20 cm. BO loosely in patt.

Block again if necessary, then weave in the yarn tails.

Enjoy your finished Ansel Neckwarmer!

CREDITS

Design/Photography/Layout/Model - Joy Friedman of Top of the World Knits - Top of the World Knits or joy@topoftheworldknits.com

Tech Editor - Whitney Steen of WLS Makes Stuff  - www.wlsmakesstuff.com or whitney@wlsmakesstuff.com

Graphics/Schematic Designer - Lorraine Catterall of Lillia Seren Designs - lilliaseren@yahoo.com

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