Cascade Yarns C Post & Rail Cowl Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns C217 128 Superwash Post & Rail Cowl

What is Being Made

The Post & Rail Cowl is a circular cowl designed by Betty Balcomb that combines two contrasting colors to create a striking striped pattern. This cowl measures approximately 27 inches around and 13 inches deep when slightly stretched, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. The cowl is worked in the round on circular needles, which allows for continuous color changes on every single row to create thin, even stripes without the need for stranding or carrying yarn across the back. The design utilizes slipped stitches rather than traditional stranding, a technique that produces a cleaner, more refined fabric while using two colors. The slipped stitches are worked with yarn held in back to create the characteristic "Post" and "Rail" pattern elements that give this cowl its name and visual interest.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – Used for the main stockinette sections and color-change rows
• Purl stitch – Incorporated in the K2, P2 ribbing at the beginning and end of the cowl for structure and elasticity
• Slipped stitch with yarn in back – The signature stitch that creates the Post and Rail pattern, worked strategically throughout the main pattern repeat to form the visual design

Pattern Structure

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 108 stitches and opens with 6 rows of K2, P2 ribbing worked in alternating colors. The main pattern consists of a 10-row repeat that alternates between simple knit rows and rows featuring slipped stitches positioned at regular intervals. The slipped stitches are offset between pattern repeats to create the interlocking Post and Rail effect. This 10-row sequence is repeated three additional times or until the desired depth is achieved, followed by a final knit row and 6 rows of K2, P2 ribbing in alternating colors before binding off loosely.

Materials and Gauge

This project requires 2 skeins of Cascade 128 Superwash yarn, each weighing 100 grams. The pattern specifies that the two colors must have sharp contrast; the pictured cowl uses colors #841 and #856. Knitters should use Size 10 circular needles measuring 24 inches or the size required to obtain the correct gauge. The required gauge is 7 stitches per 2 inches in stockinette stitch, and the pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project. A stitch marker is also needed to denote the beginning of the round.

Yarn Characteristics

Cascade 128 Superwash is chosen for this pattern specifically for its ideal weight and rich color palette. The superwash treatment makes the finished cowl easy to care for, and the yarn's characteristics allow the slipped-stitch pattern and thin stripes to display beautifully without bulk or excessive texture.

Design Notes

This pattern is designed exclusively for circular knitting and cannot be adapted for flat knitting without significant modifications to the color-change method. The single-row stripes that create the cowl's appeal depend on the continuous round structure; working the pattern back and forth would require starting new yarn on each row, which is impractical. The cowl is worked with color changes on every round throughout most of the project, creating the characteristic thin Rails and Posts that define this design.