Imbiana Cowl Knitting Pattern

Imbiana Cowl in Berroco Quechua

What is Being Made

The Imbiana Cowl is a circular knitted cowl designed by Donna Yacino from Booklet #389. This intermediate-level project creates a luxurious neck accessory with finished measurements of approximately 10 inches wide by 63 inches around, making it a generous, versatile cowl suitable for wrapping around the neck multiple times or wearing as a single-layer statement piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cowl employs several essential knitting techniques that contribute to its elegant construction. The pattern utilizes circular knitting worked in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, professional finish. The design incorporates yarn overs (abbreviated as "yo") to create deliberate eyelet holes that form part of the decorative pattern stitch. Decreases including slip-slip-knit (SSK) and knit two together (k2tog) are used strategically to shape the fabric and create the lace-like texture. The pattern also demonstrates stitch marker placement and adjustment, with instructions to reposition the beginning of round marker partway through the project to maintain proper pattern alignment.

Stitches Used

The Imbiana Cowl features a sophisticated repeating pattern stitch worked over a multiple of 34 stitches. The stitch pattern combines several fundamental knitting stitches:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the structural foundation and create textural contrast
• Yarn overs (yo) create decorative openings and lace elements throughout the design
• Slip-slip-knit (SSK) decreases slant to the left and are paired with yarn overs for balanced, symmetrical lace patterning
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases slant to the right and work in concert with SSK to create the diamond and eyelet motifs

The 16-round pattern stitch repeats with specific variations in each round, creating a complex but rhythmic fabric. Rounds 1 through 11 establish the primary pattern, followed by a marker repositioning technique in Round 12 to adjust the beginning of round, and then Rounds 13 through 16 complete the full pattern repeat.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Imbiana Cowl is designed to be knitted with Berroco Quechua, a specialty yarn from Berroco, Inc. The pattern calls for 4 hanks of Berroco Quechua in colorway #1315 Estate. Each hank weighs 50 grams, providing sufficient yardage for the complete cowl project. Berroco Quechua is a textured yarn that works beautifully with lace patterns, adding depth and visual interest to the eyelet design.

Needles and Notions: This project requires a 36-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm), or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. A single stitch marker is necessary to track the beginning of each round and to manage the marker repositioning technique used in the pattern. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 34 rounds equal 4 inches when worked in the pattern stitch, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.