Amalthea Cowl Knitting Pattern

Amalthea Cowl in Juniper Moon Moonshine

What Is Being Made

The Amalthea Cowl is a circular knit cowl designed by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud featuring an offset brick-like stitch pattern that creates a striking visual texture. This cowl is worked in the round and offers a quick knitting project suitable for various skill levels. Available in two sizes—Small with a 24-inch circumference and Large with a 32-inch circumference—both versions measure 8 inches deep, making this a versatile neckwear accessory.

Techniques Used

The Amalthea Cowl employs fundamental circular knitting techniques, worked entirely in the round using a circular needle. The construction begins with a cast-on and continues with seamless circular knitting to create a tubular fabric without seams. The pattern uses a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round, ensuring consistent pattern alignment throughout the project. The cowl incorporates two distinct pattern sections: a ribbed edge worked at the beginning and end of the piece, and the signature Bricks Pattern that comprises the main body. Blocking is an essential finishing technique, requiring the completed cowl to be soaked in lukewarm water with wool-friendly detergent, gently squeezed, and blocked to measurements to ensure edges lay flat.

Stitches Used

The Amalthea Cowl utilizes basic knitting stitches combined in strategic patterns:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches form the foundation of all stitch work
• Stockinette Stitch (St st) serves as the gauge reference for the larger needles
• Ribbed Edge created using a K5, P5 repeat pattern worked over 8 rounds, providing elasticity and a finished appearance at both the top and bottom of the cowl
• Bricks Pattern forms the main body using an 8-round repeat that creates the distinctive offset brick-like texture. The pattern alternates between rows of *P2, k7, p1* and *P4, k3, p3* with purl rounds interspersed, generating the dimensional brick effect
• Droplet Pattern is referenced in the gauge specifications, indicating additional stitch complexity available in the design

Materials

The Amalthea Cowl is crafted using Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine yarn in color #07 Camp Fire. The Small size requires 1 hank of yarn, while the Large size requires 2 hanks, providing ample yardage for the complete project. Knitting is executed on a US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length, or a needle size adjusted to achieve the specified gauge. Additional notions include a stitch marker for round tracking and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles, and 24 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in the Bricks Pattern on smaller needles, ensuring proper fit and fabric drape.