Malabrigo Cantera Cowl Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Cantera Cowl

What is Being Made

The Malabrigo Cantera is an advanced-level knitted cowl designed by Laura Reinbach. This circular neckwear piece draws inspiration from architecture, sculpture, and carving, featuring a distinctive silhouette that measures 23 inches (58 cm) in circumference and 11.5 inches (29 cm) in height after blocking. The cowl is worked in the round using a single, semi-solid colorway or variegated shades to showcase the striking chevron ridge pattern that defines this design.

Techniques Used

This advanced knitting project employs several key techniques that contribute to its sophisticated construction. The cowl begins and ends with garter stitch worked in the round, created by alternating knit and purl rounds to produce the characteristic bumpy texture. The centerpiece of the design features cable knitting, specifically chevron cables that create deep, prominent ridges throughout the piece. The pattern incorporates strategic increases and decreases to shape the cowl: an increase round using the kfb (knit into front and back) technique expands the stitch count from 128 to 255 stitches, while a corresponding decrease round using k2tog (knit two stitches together) returns the piece to 128 stitches before binding off. Blocking is essential to achieve the finished measurements and to properly set the cable definition.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch in the Round: Alternating knit and purl rounds create texture at the top and bottom edges
• Stockinette Stitch: Used as the base gauge reference (19 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches after blocking)
• Chevron Cable Pattern: The signature stitch pattern featuring 6-stitch right crosses (RC) and 6-stitch left crosses (LC), worked over a 6-round repeat
• Right Cross (6-st RC): Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit 3 stitches, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle
• Left Cross (6-st LC): Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold to front, knit 3 stitches, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): Increase stitch used in the expansion round
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): Decrease stitch used to return to original stitch count

Materials

The Malabrigo Cantera is crafted using Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn, a luxurious blend of 51% silk and 49% merino wool that provides both shine and softness to the finished cowl. The pattern requires 3 skeins in the colorway Tatami #431, with each skein containing 150 yards (137 meters) at 50 grams. Construction requires US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (61 cm) to accommodate the in-the-round construction. Additional notions include a cable needle for executing the cable crosses, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing. The gauge after blocking is 19 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, though the pattern notes that gauge is not critical—variations will simply affect final measurements.