Column Cowl Knitting Pattern

Column Cowl in Rowan Kid Classic

What is Being Made

The Column Cowl is a versatile neck accessory designed to be worn as a close-fitting cowl around the neck and shoulders. With a finished circumference of 73 cm (28¾ in) and a depth of 32.5 cm (12¾ in), this cowl provides comfortable coverage and can be layered over various outfits. The project is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cowl employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance and structure. The piece begins with a cast-on worked in the round using circular needles, requiring careful attention to avoid twisting the stitches at the join. The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork, a technique where two colors of yarn are carried simultaneously and manipulated to create a patterned fabric. The pattern notes advise not carrying stranded yarns over more than three stitches at a time, with floats caught under and over the working color to keep them neat and prevent loose loops on the reverse side. The cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming.

Stitches Used

The Column Cowl utilizes a limited but effective stitch repertoire. The pattern features knit stitches (K) and purl stitches (P) as the primary stitches. Ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 pattern) is used for the top and bottom edges, providing elasticity and a finished appearance. The main pattern section employs a combination of knit stitches with slip stitches (sl1 wyb), which are slipped purlwise with yarn held at the back of work. This slip stitch technique creates the textural interest and color definition in the stranded colorwork pattern. The pattern is worked over four rounds that repeat to create the overall design.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Column Cowl is designed to be knitted using Rowan Kid Classic yarn, a smooth and versatile fiber. The pattern requires two colors: Peppermint (shade 918) for 2 balls of 50 grams each, and Clover (shade 895) for 1 ball of 50 grams. The project calls for two sets of circular needles: 4mm (US 6) circular needles measuring 60cm for the initial ribbed sections, and 5.5mm (US 9) circular needles measuring 60cm for the main patterned body. The tension is established at 20.5 stitches and 38 rounds to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using the larger needles. A stitch marker is required to denote the beginning of each round.

Construction Overview

The cowl construction begins by casting on 150 stitches using the smaller needles and the first color (Peppermint). After joining in the round and working a 2.5 cm ribbed cuff, the knitter switches to the larger needles and introduces the second color (Clover). The main pattern section, which measures approximately 30 centimeters, is worked in the four-round repeat of stranded colorwork. After breaking off the second color, the knitter returns to single-color knitting and completes the cowl with another ribbed section before casting off loosely in rib pattern. The finished piece is then pressed according to Rowan's finishing guidelines to even out the stitches and set the fabric.