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Home » Sewing » Free Patterns

How To Make a Fleece Neck Warmer - With 3-Sized Neck Warmer Pattern

By Damjana Jakos • Last updated on Jan 27, 2025 • This post may contain affiliate links.

See how to make a neck warmer with our free neck warmer pattern - easy and quick!

This beginner sewing tutorial will teach you how to make a warm and cozy reversible fleece neck gaiter. It's an easy, super quick sewing project, and a great solution for those who don't like wearing (uncomfortable and bulky) traditional scarves. Good to mix and match to these Easy Diy Hand Warmers too.

three finished winter cowl scarves sewn with fleece in red and teal

Want a printer-friendly option of the whole tutorial without ads? See the → optional PDF file.

Neck warmers are a hit every winter, keeping you warm and cozy. Best match them with the free heating pad pattern too.

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Neck Warmer Pattern

If you haven't made a neck warmer yet, it's the perfect time to try this easy pattern! Neck warmers - also known as cowl scarves or neck gaiters - are fantastic beginner-friendly projects that make cozy, stylish gifts.

fleece neck warmer pattern

Today, I'm showing you how to make a double-layered reversible neck warmer in two colors. It will keep you and your kids super cozy and warm all winter long.

Warmer weather and you don't need a fleece scarf? I've got you covered! Make this easy infinity scarf from jersey instead!

neck warmer pattern

Keep the winter chills away with this warm and cozy cowl scarf pattern.

Make a Matching Winter Hat!

What is even better, this fleece cowl will sew up SO quickly, and you might end up making them in a set with our popular free fleece beanie pattern:

a child wearing a handmade fleece hat and a cowl scarf

+1 Freebie: Fleece Hat

Make a set with our free fleece hat pattern:

→ FREE Fleece Hat Pattern

Supplies for the Neck Warmer

  • 2 pieces of fleece, the largest size requirement is 25" x 9" per piece (64cm x 23cm)
  • matching thread
  • the free template

Have some fleece leftovers from a previous sewing project? Good! Grab two pieces and let's go!neck warmer pattern fleece

Bonus tip: you can use flannel for one layer out of the two. This will give you a thinner cowl scarf, and still a soft one. If using flannel, make sure to prewash it. See here why prewash flannel - always.

Fleece neck warmer

This fleece neck warmer is all about simple rectangles. To make it easier on you and to prevent the guessing game, I've tested a few sizes and chosen what worked best for me and my children.

Does your child refuse to wear a scarf because it adds too much bulk around the neck? A fleece neck gaiter pattern is a great solution for those who don't like wearing (uncomfortable) traditional scarves. Tried and tested!

What is the finished size of the Diy Neck Warmer?

Choose one of these three sizes:

TODDLER (1T - 3T):      21" x 7" (53cm x 18cm)  = FINISHED size DIAMETER 10" (25cm)
CHILD (4 yrs-10 yrs)       23" x 8" (59cm x 20cm)  = FINISHED size DIAMETER 11" (28cm)
TEEN + ADULT:             25" x 9" (64cm x 23cm)  = FINISHED size DIAMETER 12" (31cm)

neck warmer free pattern

Reversible Fleece Neck Warmer Tutorial

You'll get an image for every little step. Follow me!

Step 1 - Get the free template

Join our mailing list and get the pattern emailed to you:

Do you want a printable copy of the WHOLE tutorial? → See it HERE or get it in the huge-value BUNDLE!

Step 2 - Cut 2 pieces

neck warmer pattern free

Once you've decided on the required size, grab your scissors and the ruler. Cut 2 pieces of the selected size. You don't need to add any seam allowance, it's already included.

Top Tip: Stretch direction is important here! Take care to cut the pieces so the material stretches most in the direction marked on the above image.

Step 3 - Sew The Long edges of the Neck Warmer Together

neck warmer pattern free

Place the pieces right sides together and align them.

fleece neck warmer pattern

Then stitch along the long sides using a ⅜ seam allowance and a stretchy stitch (a simple zigzag will be just perfect!)

neck gaiter pattern

This is how your fleece neck warmer looks like - a long tube. Trim the seam allowances if required.

Step 4 - Fold and Sew the Short Edge

Fleece neck warmer tutorial

Pull one end of the tube into another one, keeping the right sides together, like this:

neck warmer easy
neck warmer instructions

Sew around the short end, leaving an opening for turning.

Step 5 - Turn Right Side Out

neck warmer pattern sewing

Turn right side out through the opening.

Step 6 - Close the opening on your New diy neck warmer

neck warmer pattern sewing

The final step to finish this fleece neck warmer is closing up the opening. I like to hand-stitch it shut - it's much easier to neatly catch the fleece layers by hand than on a sewing machine. And if you use this ladder stitch tutorial when hand-stitching, stitches don't show at all.

finished reversible fleece neck warmer in pastel pink and dark red

Finished - your own fleece neck warmer. Yey!

Alternatives to the fleece neck warmer pattern

You can mix and match materials - try to find your own favorite! Later on, I also made one additional neck warmer using one piece of fleece and one piece of soft jersey. Actually, I still prefer the double fleece version. Soo soft! But when it's not so cold outside, I love to have a jersey side as an option, because it does not make me sweat.

neck warmer free pattern

Also, speaking of alternatives to these diy neck gaiters: if you want to test out other types of scarves and wraps, check out these 10+ free scarves to sew.

What is the best size for a neck warmer?

As you see in the photo, the smallest one is the toddler size, the blue-and-yellow one is mid-size (4yrs to 10 yrs), and the largest one is for me. I quickly modeled it against my partner's chin and can confirm that this size will work for any adult.

It will keep you and your kids warm all winter long! Since winter is (hopefully) coming to an end soon, I was thinking whether I should just fast forward to Christmas sewing. It's so easy I just might.

More scarf sewing ideas

Have you seen the new baby scarf tutorial that's getting very popular? This free tutorial has a little something added - and it makes it a DIY scarf that will never fall off! Check out here how and why:

two finished scarves in red and pink: a cowl neck scarf and a classic fleece scarf

+1 idea: Smart Scarf

Make a set with our free fleece scarf tutorial:

→ Smart DIY fleece scarf

WANT A PRINTABLE COPY OF THE WHOLE TUTORIAL?

Do you want an ad-free, printable copy of this online tutorial? Get it in our shop. Or get the whole →BUNDLE!

link to printable pattern bundle

WANT MORE FREE TUTORIALS AND GOODIES?

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Or ...go straight to the gift bag pattern. Smart and simple construction, originally a gift bag but around Halloween, it doubles as an adorable Trick-Or-Treat bag - 6 sizes and designs for all your wishes!

trick-or-treat bag
More about these bags in 3 sizes HERE

  Damjana

neck warmer pattern

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Comments

  1. Sharon says

    January 12, 2025 at 2:51 pm

    I love this pattern! I made one for myself, my husband, my kids, my grandkids and made some as gifts for the holidays! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Damjana Jakos says

      January 12, 2025 at 5:27 pm

      Sharon that’s so heartwarming - your whole family must be staying cozy and stylish this winter! Love that you made it for everyone! 😊

      Reply
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About AppleGreen Cottage

Damjana is the owner and pattern designer at the popular AppleGreen Cottage website, founded in 2014. She creates easy sewing patterns everyone can sew and enjoy. Her customers say they are super easy to follow and love the little hacks and tips sprinkled around. These will make your sewing a breeze, too. Enjoy!

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