Cascade Yarns Stardust Cowl Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Stardust Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Stardust Cowl is a circular knit cowl designed by Shannon Dunbabin. This project creates a cozy neck accessory using a two-color knitting technique that produces an elegant stardust stitch pattern. The finished cowl is worked in the round and features color changes that create visual interest and texture throughout the piece.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project suitable for knitters with beginner to intermediate experience. The primary technique used is knitting in the round, which means stitches are worked continuously in a circular fashion rather than in flat rows. This creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for cowls and other circular garments.

The signature technique featured in this pattern is the stardust stitch, a decorative knit stitch that combines yarn overs with pass-over decreases to create an openwork, lacy appearance. The stardust pattern is worked over four rounds, with alternating colors creating a dynamic visual effect. The pattern alternates between knit stitches, yarn overs (which create small decorative holes), and pass-over decreases (where one stitch is passed over others to reduce stitch count and form the characteristic star shapes).

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch that forms the base of the fabric
• Purl stitch (P): Used in the beginning and finishing rounds to create a smooth edge
• Yarn over (YO): Creates decorative eyelets and increases in the stardust pattern
• Pass over decrease: A stitch decrease technique where one stitch is passed over other stitches to create the dimensional star effect characteristic of the stardust pattern

Materials and Tools

The cowl is knit using Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash, a premium yarn made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool. This fiber choice provides softness, breathability, and easy care since the superwash treatment allows machine washing. The pattern calls for two skeins of 100 grams (3.5 oz.) each, providing 128 yards (117 meters) per skein. The recommended colors are Color A in #1959 (Deep Sapphire) and Color B in #802 (Green Apple), creating a striking blue and green color combination.

Knitting needles required are US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. A stitch marker is also needed to mark the beginning of each round. The gauge is 3 stitches equals 1 inch (2.5 cm) in the stitch pattern, which is important for achieving the correct finished size.

Pattern Overview

The cowl begins with casting on 121 stitches with Color A and joining in the round. After a beginning round of purl stitches, the four-round stardust pattern repeats to build the desired width. The pattern alternates between solid knit rounds and decorative stardust rounds, with color changes between Color A and Color B creating visual contrast. The cowl is finished with a purl round and bound off loosely, then ends are woven in and the piece is wet blocked as needed to set the stitches and shape.