Leeward Cowl Knitting Pattern

Leeward Cowl Knitting Pattern by Ella Burch

What Is Being Made

The Leeward Cowl is a women's knitting pattern designed by Ella Burch for The Yarn Collective. This project creates a cowl—a close-fitting neck accessory that combines warmth with sophisticated cable stitch detailing. The finished cowl measures 75 centimeters (29½ inches) in circumference, making it an ideal layering piece for cooler weather.

Yarn and Materials Required

This pattern calls for The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK yarn in the colorway Surf. You will need 2 balls of yarn, totaling 100 grams (3.5 ounces) with a yardage of 240 meters (263 yards). The pattern requires a pair of 4mm (UK 8 – US 6) knitting needles for the main fabric, as well as a cable needle for working the cable stitches. A separate pair of 3mm (US 2.5) needles may be used for blocking purposes.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Leeward Cowl features extensive cable work, making it an intermediate-level knitting project. The pattern employs several cable stitch techniques that create visual interest and texture throughout the piece.

• Cable Stitches: The pattern uses multiple cable crossing abbreviations including C4B (cable 4 back), C4F (cable 4 front), C6B (cable 6 back), and C6F (cable 6 front). These stitches involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them either at the back or front of the work, then knitting the next stitches before working the held stitches. This creates the characteristic twisted rope-like texture of cable knitting.
• Crossed Stitches: The pattern incorporates Cr4L (cross 4 left) and Cr4R (cross 4 right) stitches, which combine knit and purl stitches in a crossed formation. These techniques add dimension and visual complexity to the design.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which provides a smooth, classic background for the cable and crossed stitch details.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: This stitch appears in the pattern, particularly in the tension gauge measurement, creating textured contrast areas.
• Pattern Panel Repeats: The cowl features a central 36-stitch pattern panel that repeats across 40 rows. This panel is worked 5 times throughout the construction, creating a cohesive design that repeats around the circumference of the finished cowl.

Pattern Structure and Gauge

The pattern begins with casting on 94 stitches and establishes the pattern placement on the first wrong-side row. The central 36-stitch pattern panel is positioned symmetrically within the row, with edge stitches worked in stockinette and reverse stockinette to frame the design. The 40-row pattern panel is repeated 5 times, meaning the cowl contains 200 rows of patterning in total.

Proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) measured over reverse stockinette stitch using 4mm (UK 8 – US 6) needles. The central pattern panel measures 10 centimeters (4 inches) in width. Achieving correct gauge ensures the finished cowl will have the intended dimensions and drape.

Finishing and Care

Once all 40 rows of the pattern panel have been completed 5 times and the final row is a right-side row, stitches are cast off in pattern on the wrong side. The finishing process requires careful pressing following the specific instructions provided on the yarn ball band for The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK yarn. This careful blocking helps set the cables and ensures a polished, professional appearance in the finished cowl.