Juniper Moon Farm Cowl Knitting Pattern

Nyla Cowl by Melissa Leapman

What is Being Made

The Nyla cowl is a versatile neck accessory from the Aspen Collection, designed by Melissa Leapman for Juniper Moon Farm. This seamless cowl features a sophisticated two-color striped design that wraps around the neck with a comfortable, relaxed fit. Available in two sizes—Small with a 22-inch circumference and Large with a 26½-inch circumference—the cowl stands 9 inches tall, making it an ideal layering piece for cool weather.

Techniques Used

The Nyla cowl is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The project is worked seamlessly in the round using a circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming. The design employs a bottom-up construction method, beginning with a cast-on edge at the base and building upward to the top. Striping is achieved by working with two distinct yarn colors—Cerulean and Moss—in alternating sections throughout the cowl. The body features a slip-stitch pattern that creates subtle texture and visual depth while maintaining an elegant appearance.

Stitches Used

The Nyla cowl incorporates a variety of fundamental knitting stitches to achieve its finished design. The borders utilize garter stitch (alternating knit and purl rounds) combined with an eyelet pattern created through yarn overs and knit-two-together decreases, adding delicate openwork detail. The main body features a slip-stitch pattern worked over a 12-round repeat, which creates visual texture without adding bulk. Additional stitch techniques include increases and decreases worked evenly around the circumference to shape the borders, and a bind-off completed knitwise for a finished edge. The pattern also incorporates yarn overs for the eyelet detail and slip stitches worked purlwise to enhance the stitch definition.

Materials and Tools

This project requires Juniper Moon Farm Beatrix yarn in two colorways: one 50-gram skein each of color 10 Cerulean (for color A) and color 16 Moss (for color B). Knitters will need a US 10½ (6.5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches long, or the appropriate size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 13 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches when worked in the slip-stitch pattern and blocked. The pattern notes that achieving exact gauge is not critical to the success of this project, making it accessible to knitters of varying experience levels.

Pattern Structure and Notes

The Nyla cowl follows a logical three-part construction. The project begins with a cast-on border worked in color B using garter stitch and eyelet details, which creates a decorative and functional edge. Stitches are increased evenly during this border section to transition into the body. The main body is worked in the slip-stitch pattern using color A, continuing in the round until the piece reaches approximately 7½ inches in length. The pattern concludes with a matching border worked in color B, where stitches are decreased to match the original cast-on count before binding off. The seamless, in-the-round construction ensures a smooth, professional finish without visible seams.