Double Loop Cowl Knitting Pattern

Double Loop Cowl in Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Felted Tweed

What is Being Made

The Double Loop Cowl is a versatile neck accessory designed by Florence Spurling that wraps around the neck with a generous circumference of 134.5 cm (53 inches) and a depth of 30 cm (11¾ inches). This cowl is constructed to be worn as a double loop, creating layered coverage and visual interest through its multi-colored construction.

Yarn Materials

This project uses a combination of two distinct Rowan yarn weights to create textural contrast and color variation:

• Rowan Kidsilk Haze (25gm balls): A luxurious, lightweight yarn used in two colorways – Magenta (717) and Plum (718) – one ball of each
• Rowan Felted Tweed (50gm balls): A heavier, more structured yarn used in two colorways – Peony (183) and Tawny (186) – one ball of each

The combination of these two yarn types creates both visual and tactile variety, with the delicate Kidsilk Haze providing a silky sheen and the Felted Tweed offering warmth and durability.

Needles and Tools

One pair of 4mm (US 6) circular needles measuring at least 100cm in length is required to accommodate the large stitch count of 248 stitches cast on at the beginning of the project.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Double Loop Cowl employs several fundamental knitting techniques to build its structure and pattern:

• Moss Stitch: A textured stitch pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard arrangement. This stitch is used in multiple sections throughout the cowl, providing a subtle, reversible texture. The pattern is established over two rows with the sequence K1, P1 on the right side and P1, K1 on the wrong side, then repeated for additional rows to create depth.
• Fairisle Pattern: A colorwork technique where two strands of yarn are held together simultaneously and worked in alternating single stitches. This creates a distinctive two-color pattern section. The fairisle sections use the Kidsilk Haze yarns (Magenta and Plum) held in pairs, creating a delicate, shimmering colorwork effect that contrasts with the solid-color sections.
• Double Yarn Holding: A key technique in this pattern where two strands of the same yarn are held together and treated as a single strand while knitting or purling. This technique is used throughout the fairisle sections to add weight and create visual impact with the lighter Kidsilk Haze yarn.
• Mattress Stitch or Back Stitch: Used during finishing to join the side seams, creating an invisible or nearly invisible seam closure.

Pattern Construction and Difficulty

Rated as an intermediate-level project, the Double Loop Cowl is structured in repeating pattern blocks that total 28 rows. The pattern is worked through a specific sequence: beginning with 8 rows of moss stitch in Felted Tweed (Tawny), followed by 6 rows of fairisle pattern using doubled Kidsilk Haze strands (Magenta and Plum), then 8 rows of moss stitch in Felted Tweed (Peony), and 6 rows of fairisle pattern using doubled Kidsilk Haze strands (Plum and Magenta in reversed order). This 28-row pattern block is worked twice, followed by rows 1 through 22 once more, creating the double-loop effect through the length of the finished piece.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern is designed to be worked at a tension of 18.5 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using 4mm needles and the yarn placement as specified in the main pattern instructions. Achieving correct gauge is essential for the cowl to reach its intended finished dimensions.

Finishing

After all stitches are cast off in pattern, the cowl is pressed according to standard finishing instructions. The side seams are then joined using either mattress stitch (preferred for an invisible seam) or back stitch, completing the circular cowl structure that allows it to be worn as a double loop around the neck.