designed by Liz Abinante
I love cowls. This love I have for cowls is a newly discovered one, something I've only recently given into. I didn't really understand their purpose, and they kind of reminded me of a noose. But then I knit one and realized how awesome they are. My love for cowls is complicated: on warm days when I ride my bike, I prefer a looser fit (pictured right) that gently falls. On cold days when I'm forced to leave the house, I grab a snug fitting cowl to keep the warmth in. In honor of my love for cowls and my indecisiveness, this pattern provides instructions for both loose and snug fitting cowls in fingering and worsted weight (pictured). The pattern includes instructions for both working in the round and working flat. Although I'm partial to working anything and everything in the round, imagine how cute your TravelingCowlwouldlookwithsomeexoticbuttons! For working in the round, you will need a 16" circular needle in the size listed below.
Fingering Weight
Approximately 100g fingering weight yarn
Needle, Gauge, and Sizes
Large, round: 22" circumference, 9" long (to point) Large, flat: 24" circumference, 9" long (to point) US #6 (4.0mm) needle. Gauge per inch: 5 sts, 7 rows. Small, round: 18" circumference, 9.5" long (to point) Small, flat: 19" circumference, 9.5" long (to point) US #5 (3.75mm) needle. Gauge per inch: 5.5 sts, 8 rows.
Worsted Weight
Large sample knit in Fiberphile Super Squish Worsted (100% superwash merino), shown in Mossy Bank. 200 yards per 100 grams.
Needle, Gauge, and Sizes
Large, round: 21" circumference, 9.5" long (to point) Large, flat: 22.5" circumference, 9.5" long (to point) US #9 (5.5mm) needle. Gauge per inch: 4 sts sts, 5 rows. Small, round: 17" circumference, 9" long (to point) Small, flat: 16" circumference, 9" long (to point) US #7 (4.5mm) needle. Gauge per inch: 5 sts, 6 rows.
Bulky Weight
Medium sample knit in Schulana Capo Nord (100% wool) shown in #56, 1 skein. Approximately 92 yards bulky weight. Medium, flat: 20" circumference (approximately 1" overlap, actual product 21" long laid flat), 7.6" long (to point) US #11 (8mm) needle. Gauge per inch: 2.5 sts, 3.5 rows.
Instructions
Two sets of instructions are included in this pattern: knitting in the round or worked flat.
Customizations
To adjust the height of the cowl
For a shorter cowl, work fewer rows in stockinette stitch. Maintaining the same number of lace repeats will emphasize the lace rather than the plain body of the cowl. For a longer cowl, work the amount of stockinette stitch as called for. Add more repeats of the lace chart to emphasize the lace pattern.
To make a double wrap cowl
If you would like to make a cowl that can be wrapped around your neck twice, you'll need to increase your stitch count 2.5 times over. I would recommend this only for the knit in the round version. Cast on estimates, moderately snug fit, but not choking you (using smaller needle): Fingering: 252 (46") Worsted: 216 (43")
Adding Eyelets: Worsted & Fingering
To add eyelets to your cowl, knit fewer inches of stockinette stitch. Repeat the eyelet chart 6 times (fingering) or 5 times (worsted) for each lace chart repeat you plan on working. For extra eyelets, work the eyelet chart 12 times (fingering) or 10 times (worsted) for each lace chart repeat. Worsted, Round Row 1: k4, yo, slk2p, yo, k5 Row 2: k12
Worsted, Flat
Row 1: k1 (k4, yo, slk2p, yo, k5) Row 2: k13
Fingering, Round
Row 1: k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k6 Row 2: k14
Fingering, Flat Row 1: k1 (k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k6) Row 2: k15
Instructions are provided for all sizes in tables. If one set of instructions are present, it applies to all 4 sizes. Using a 16" circular needle in the size required, cast on:
| fingering sm | fingering lg | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 98 | 112 | 84 | 84 |
stitches, place marker, and join in the round.
Garter stitch:
Row 1: k Row 2: p Repeat rows 1-2
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
times, for a total of
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted lg |
| 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
rows. Work in stockinette stitch (knit every row) for
| fingering sm | fingering lg | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 6.5 |
inches. Switch to lace chart. Work
| fingering sm | fingering lg | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
rpts of lace chart. Bind off as follows: k2, sl sts back to left ndl, ssk. [k1, sl sts back to left ndl, sk] rpt to end. Block your cowl by pulling the purl stitches to points.
Fingering Weight
| 13121110 | 5 | 4 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| 14 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| oKo | 11 | |||||||||||||||
| 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 9 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 7 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Row 1: yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, p1 Row 2 (and all even rows): k13, p1 Row 3: k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1 Row 5: k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2, p1 Row 7: k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3, p1 Row 9: k4, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k4, p1 Row 11: k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k5, p1
Worsted Weight
| 12 | 11109 | 8 | 7 | 6 ¥5 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
| 10 | |||||||||||||
| oKo | ６ | ||||||||||||
| 8 | |||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||
| 9 | |||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 0 | K | 0 | 1 |
Row 1: yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, p1 Row 2 (and all even rows): k11, p1 Row 3: k1, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k1, p1 Row 5: k2, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k2, p1 Row 7: k3, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k3, p1 Row 9: k4, yo, slk2p, yo, k4, p1 Instructions are provided for all sizes in tables. If one set of instructions are present, it applies to all 4 sizes.
Button Holes
I recommend placing button holes every 1.5-2 inches. Work your button holes at the beginning or end of each row in the garter stitch border. Fingering weight (or smaller buttons): Row 1 (RS): k2, k2tog, yo, k3. Row 2: k all sts Worsted weight (or larger buttons): Row 1 (RS): k1, k2tog, yo 2x, k2tog, k1 Row 2: k2, [k1, p1] in the double yo, k2 Cast on:
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 104 | 119 | 77 | 90 |
stitches. Do not join in the round. Mark your button band as follows on the first row: Row 1:k
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Fingering Weight
Repeat is outlined in red. Row 1: p1 [yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, p1] Row 2 (and all wS rows): k1 [p13, k1] Row 3: p1 [k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1] Row 5: p1 [k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2, p1] Row 7: p1 [k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3, p1] Row 9: p1 [k4, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k4, p1] Row 11: p1 [k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k5, p1] sts, pm, kto last
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
sts, pm, k to end.
Worsted Weight
Knit
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
rows in garter stitch. Keeping the border in garter stitch, work cowl body in stockinette stitch (k one row, p one row) for
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worstedsm | worsted lg |
| 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 6.5 |
inches.
Switch to lace chart. Work
| fingering sm | fingering Ig | worsted sm | worsted Ig |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
rpts of lace chart. Bind off on a Ws row as follows: p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog] rpt to end. Repeat is outlined in red. Block your cowl by pulling the purl stitches to points Row 1: p1 [yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, p1] Row 2 (and all WS rows): k1 [p11, k1] Row 3: p1 [k1, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k1, p1] Row 5: p1 [k2, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k2, p1] Row 7: p1 [k3, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k3, p1] Row 9: p1 [k4, yo, slk2p, yo, k4, p1]
Traveling Cowl, Uorked Flat, Buky
For this version, you will need slightly less than one skein of the yarn called for. To add height to the cowl, you can cast on additional stitches for the garter stitch border. With the yardage and gauge listed, you would be okay to add 2-4 more stitches (total).
Button Holes
There are no button holes written into this pattern. The button holes are formed by the lace used in the edge chart.
Instructions
Cast on 19 sts. Do not jBoin in the round. Row 1: k4, pm, k19, pm, k4 Row 2-4: k all sts Switch to stockinette stitch: Row 1: k4, slm, k to m, slm, k4 Row 2: k4, slm, p to m, slm, k4 Work rows 1-2 a total of 10x (20 rows total). Switch to lace chart. The 4 edge stitches on each side should be worked in garter stitch. These stitches are not charted. Work 3 repeats of the Main Chart (36 rows). Work 1 repeat of the Edge Chart (13 rows). Bind off on a WS row as follows: p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog] rpt to end. Block your cowl by pulling the stitches to points. Sew three buttons onto the garter stitch cast on edge.
Bulky Weight, Main Chart
Row 1: yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo Row 2 (and all wS rows): p all sts Row 3: k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1 Row 5: k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2 Row 7: k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3 Row 9: k4, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k4 Row 11: k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k5
Bulky Weight, Edge Chart
Row 1: yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo Row 2 (and all wS rows): p all sts Row 3: k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1 Row 5: k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2 Row 7: k1, yo, ssk, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k1 Row 9: (yo, ssk) 2x, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, (yo, k2tog) 2x, yo Row 11: k1, (yo, ssk) 2x, yo, slk2p, (ky, k2tog) 2x, yo, k1 Row 13: (yo, ssk) 3x, k1, (k2tog, yo) 3x
Legends & Qbbrerviations
Qbreriations k: knit p: purl sl: slip tbl: through the back loop kfb: knit through the front and back loop psso: pass the slipped stitch over k2tog: knit two together k3tog: knit three together ssk: slip, slip, knit two slipped stitches together p2tog: purl two together slk2p: sl1, k2tog, psso CO: cast on BO: bind off st: stitch sts: stitches rem: remain(ing) rpt: repeat rpts: repeats ndl: needle yo: yarn over RS: right side WS: wrong side
