Juniper Moon Farm Cerros Cowl Knitting Pattern

Cumulus Cerros Cowl by Tabetha Hedrick

What is Being Made

The Cumulus Cerros cowl is a luxurious knitted neck accessory designed to drape elegantly around the shoulders. This cowl measures approximately 40 inches in length and 9.5 inches in width, making it a generous, versatile piece suitable for layering over various outfits. The finished cowl forms a complete circle, providing warmth and style for any season.

Construction Method

This cowl is worked flat from end to end using the seamed construction technique. Rather than being knitted in the round, the piece is created as a long rectangular strip and then seamed together at both ends to form a continuous loop. This approach allows for precise stitch definition and easier pattern management. The first stitch of every row is slipped to create a smooth, professional selvedge edge that makes seaming cleaner and more polished.

Stitches and Techniques

The Cerros cowl features an intricate stitch pattern that combines multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Cable stitches (2/2 RC): Two-over-two right cross cables are worked throughout the pattern, creating dimensional twisted columns that add sophistication and depth to the fabric.
• Yarn overs (yo): Strategic yarn overs create small eyelet details that add delicate lace elements to the design.
• Decreases: The pattern incorporates slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count. A centered double decrease (s2kp) is also used, which slips two stitches together and passes them over a knit stitch for a centered decrease.
• Slipped stitches: Slipped stitches with yarn held in back or in front create clean edges and contribute to the pattern's visual structure.

The Cerros stitch pattern repeats over a multiple of 9 stitches plus 7 additional stitches, creating a balanced, symmetrical design. The four-row repeat alternates between cable rows and decrease/yarn over rows, building a fabric with both textural cables and delicate lace elements that work in harmony.

Yarn and Materials

This project requires 1 skein of Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus weighing 100 grams in color #12 Amethyst. Cumulus is a premium yarn known for its softness and drape, making it ideal for a cowl that will feel luxurious against the skin. The project is worked on US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches in length, though circular needles are used here for their length rather than for working in the round. Additional notions include a cable needle for managing the cable stitches and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Finishing

The Cerros stitch pattern achieves a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette equivalent, worked on US 9 needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cowl meets the intended measurements. After completing the knitting, the piece is blocked to measurements for a polished finish, and the cast-on and bind-off edges are sewn together using the tapestry needle to create the continuous cowl shape.