Berroco Cohansey Cowl Knitting Pattern

Berroco Cohansey Cowl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Cohansey Cowl is a seamless, circular knit cowl designed by Mary Lou Egan from Portfolio Vol. 5. This easy-level project creates a finished cowl measuring approximately 7½ inches wide and 36 inches around, making it a versatile neckwear accessory suitable for various styling occasions.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cowl is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless approach worked in the round, eliminating the need for seaming. The pattern begins with a provisional cast-on of 180 stitches, which allows for a continuous, joined construction. The cowl is worked circularly using a 24-inch circular needle, creating a smooth, tubular fabric without interruption. The design features a distinctive Horizontal Chevron Pattern that repeats five times throughout the piece, creating visual interest and texture. After the pattern repeats are complete, a strategic decrease round reduces the stitch count to 162 stitches, shaping the cowl for a refined finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Cohansey Cowl employs several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — used for gauge measurement and foundational fabric
• Slip Stitches (sl) — worked with yarn in front (wyif) to create the visual pattern of the Horizontal Chevron design
• Knit Stitches (k) — the primary stitch throughout the piece
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) — used in the decrease round to shape the cowl
• Knit Two Together Through the Back Loop (k2tog tbl) — employed in the corded bind-off finish
• Corded Bind-Off — a decorative finishing technique that creates a finished edge while maintaining the cowl's structure

The Horizontal Chevron Pattern is a 10-stitch multiple that repeats over 13 rounds, combining knit stitches with strategically placed slip stitches to create a chevron or zigzag visual effect. This stitch pattern requires attention to yarn positioning and slip stitch placement but remains accessible to knitters of easy skill level.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Cohansey Cowl is designed to be worked with Berroco Remix yarn in color #3917 Periwinkle, requiring 2 balls (200 grams total). Berroco Remix is the recommended yarn for this pattern.

The project requires the following needles and notions:

• 24-inch circular needle, size 8 (5.00 mm) — used for the main cowl construction worked in the round
• 1 double-pointed needle (dpn), size 6 (4.00 mm) — used for the corded bind-off finishing technique
• Stitch marker — to mark the beginning of rounds

Gauge is critical for this project: 17 stitches and 23 rows equal 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch, while the pattern stitch measures 20 stitches and 42 rows to 4 inches after blocking. Checking gauge before beginning ensures proper finished dimensions and fabric drape.