Berroco Sayre Cowl Knitting Pattern

Berroco Sayre Knitting Pattern Set

Project Overview

The Sayre pattern is a coordinated set featuring two complementary knitted accessories: a pair of mitts and a matching cowl. Designed by Alison Green, this intermediate-level knitting project combines two distinct garments that work together as a cohesive collection. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF from Berroco.

Mitts

Finished Measurements: The mitts measure approximately 7 inches (18 cm) around the hand and 10 inches (25.5 cm) in length, making them a practical accessory for keeping hands warm while maintaining dexterity.

Construction Method: The mitts are worked in the round from the bottom up using double-pointed needles. This approach creates seamless, tubular fabric that fits comfortably around the hand. The pattern includes shaping for the thumb, with thumb stitches held on waste yarn during the main hand section before being worked separately.

Techniques and Stitches: The primary stitch pattern is brioche knit, a textured and elastic stitch that creates visual interest and excellent stretch recovery. The brioche technique involves working yarn overs together with slipped stitches from the previous round. Special brioche abbreviations used include Brk (brioche knit), Brp (brioche purl), and Sl1yo (yarn over followed by a slipped stitch). The cuff is worked in a basic knit-purl rib pattern before transitioning to the brioche pattern on the hand. A two-stitch increase technique called Brkyobrk is used for shaping.

Needles and Materials: The mitts require one set each of double-pointed needles in sizes 8 (5 mm) and 10 (6 mm), or needles suitable for working small circumferences in the round. The pattern uses 2 balls of Berroco Ultra Wool in Frost (C1), a durable wool yarn that provides warmth and structure. Waste yarn is needed to hold thumb stitches during construction.

Cowl

Finished Measurements: The cowl measures approximately 11 inches (28 cm) in height and 27 inches (68.5 cm) in circumference, creating a generous neckpiece suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory.

Construction Method: The cowl is worked in the round using a 24-inch circular needle, allowing for continuous rounds without seaming. This bottom-up construction method creates a seamless tube that sits comfortably around the neck.

Techniques and Stitches: Like the mitts, the cowl features the brioche stitch pattern as its primary design element. The brioche pattern creates a textured, reversible fabric with excellent elasticity. The cowl showcases the same special brioche techniques used in the mitts, demonstrating pattern consistency across the coordinated set.

Needles and Materials: The cowl requires 24-inch circular needles in sizes 8 (5 mm) and 10 (6 mm). The pattern calls for 1 hank of Berroco Artesia in Peony (C2), a contrasting yarn that adds visual interest to the set while maintaining compatibility with the Ultra Wool used in the mitts.

Yarn and Gauge Information

The complete set uses 2 balls of Berroco Ultra Wool (100 grams each) in the Frost colorway and 1 hank of Berroco Artesia (100 grams) in the Peony colorway. The gauge for the brioche pattern on the smaller needles is 14 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches, which is essential to check before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Skill Level and Pattern Features

This pattern is rated as intermediate, indicating that knitters should be comfortable with basic techniques including casting on, working in the round, and reading pattern instructions. The brioche stitch, while not overly complex, requires attention to detail as it involves coordinating yarn overs with slipped stitches across rounds. The use of double-pointed needles for the mitts and circular needles for the cowl provides experience with different needle types for in-the-round knitting.

A stitch marker is required to mark the beginning of rounds, and waste yarn is needed for the thumb construction on the mitts.