Dancing Raindeers Cowl Knitting Pattern

Dancing Reindeers Cowl in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK

What Is Being Made

The Dancing Reindeers Cowl is a knitted circular cowl designed to measure 30 cm (11¾ inches) deep and 60 cm (23½ inches) all around when completed. This is a neck-warming accessory worked in the round using circular needles, featuring a decorative Fair Isle patterned section with a two-color ribbed edging at both the cast-on and bind-off edges.

Techniques Used

This project employs several intermediate knitting techniques suitable for advanced beginners. The cowl is constructed using the Fair Isle technique, a traditional stranded colorwork method where two colors are worked simultaneously across the wrong side of the fabric. The pattern instructions specify stranding yarn not in use across the wrong side of the work. Additionally, the design incorporates two-color ribbing, where alternating stitches in two different colors create a decorative textured edge. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit every round) on circular needles, and the pattern includes a strategic decrease round using the K2tog (knit two together) decrease to shape the cowl after the Fair Isle section is complete.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit every round on circular needles to create a smooth, flat fabric for the main body and patterned sections
• Ribbing (2 colour rib): Alternating knit and purl stitches in two colors, worked at the cast-on and bind-off edges for elasticity and a finished appearance
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used in the shaping round to reduce stitches from 150 to 132
• Fair Isle patterning: Two-color stranded colorwork worked over a 50-stitch pattern repeat, repeated 3 times around each round for a total of 53 rounds as shown on the provided chart

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This cowl is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a double-knitting weight yarn that provides warmth and softness. The pattern requires two colors: Dark Burgundy (230) at 2 balls of 50 grams each, and Rainy Day (210) at 1 ball of 50 grams. The circular needle requirements include a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no more than 50 cm long for the ribbed sections and initial cast-on, and a 4mm (US 6) circular needle no more than 50 cm long for the main patterned body. The pattern notes that double-pointed needles may be used as an alternative if preferred. The tension is measured at 25 stitches and 28 rounds to 10 cm over patterned stockinette stitch using the 4mm needles.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. Construction begins with casting on 150 stitches using the smaller 3¼mm needle and Dark Burgundy yarn, followed by 2.5 cm of two-color ribbing. The needle is then changed to the larger 4mm size, and the main Fair Isle pattern from the chart is worked for all 53 rounds, with the 50-stitch pattern repeat worked 3 times around each round. After completing the Fair Isle section, the yarn is broken off and work continues in stockinette stitch using only Dark Burgundy yarn. A decrease round is worked, reducing to 132 stitches using the K2tog decrease, and the cowl is then worked straight until it measures 27.5 cm from the cast-on edge. The Rainy Day yarn is rejoined, the needle is changed back to 3¼mm, and another 2.5 cm of two-color ribbing is worked before binding off in rib using Dark Burgundy yarn. Finishing involves pressing as described in the pattern information page.