This stranded cowl has a hint of cables and twisted stitches that form a criss-cross lattice. This post covers surviving an uneven rib, swatching in the round, and the cross stitches. It also covers a stretchy bind off for the flared edge.
materials
yarn
- worsted weight superwash wool, 220yd [201m] per 100g skein
- two contrasting colors: A for the foreground and borders, and B for the background
- 1 skein of each for the small size, 2 of each for the large
needles
- US 8 [5mm] circular, 24″ [61cm] for the small, 32″ [81.3cm] for the large
- US 6 [4mm] circular, the same lengths, for the borders
notions
- cable needle, stitch marker, and tapestry needle
Download the pattern
The free cowl pattern is available as a PDF download. The cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up. Cast on 144 stitches for the small size. Gauge is 21 stitches and 22 rows to 4″ [10.2cm] in the colorwork on the larger needles.
Survive the uneven rib
The border uses a rib that isn’t equally divided between knit and purl, such as 1×1. It’s a multiple of 8 stitches, and the pattern needs it as written, not swapped for 2×2. Get the set-up round right first. After that you can half-concentrate and find a distraction.
Company helps. A knitting group carried the first border. For the second, streaming a favorite show worked, but pick one you’ve seen before, since you still need a little focus. Music, audio books, or a pet also help. The results are worth the effort.
Swatch in the round
Knitting in the round changes your tension, so swatch that way. You don’t need to knit the whole circle. The color pattern is a multiple of 8 stitches, so cast on 24 to 32 with circular or double-pointed needles.
Knit across in pattern, knitting both colors together into the last stitch. Pull out a length of both colors slightly wider than the swatch. Don’t turn. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle, and start again from the right side. The long strands run across the back.
Block the swatch before measuring. Too many stitches means go up to US 9 [5.5mm]. Too few means US 7 [4.5mm]. A swatch is also a place to practice the twisted stitches.
Work the cross stitches
The lattice combines stranded knitting, twisted stitches, and cables. The pattern moves stitches left or right, always keeping the main color in front. A left cross moves color A to the left, in front of color B. A right cross moves it to the right.
The 1×1×1 left cross is a cable combined with a twisted stitch, worked over 3 stitches. It can be done without a cable needle, and a paintbrush handle works in a pinch. After a repeat or two, the moves feel natural.
Bind off with stretch
The simple stretchy bind off suits any stitch pattern, and any cuff that needs elasticity. Work in color A. Knit or purl the first stitch, as the rib shows. Then pass the left needle through the back loops of the first two stitches, and work them together. Repeat across the border, following the rib. Continue until one stitch remains. Cut the yarn, and pull it through. It gives the edge a gentle flare.
Finish and gift
Block the cowl, sew in the ends, and wrap it up. Holiday knitting rarely goes to plan, so a realistic schedule helps. A cowl finished a month before Christmas counts as a small miracle.
