Malabrigo Cosido Scarf Knitting Pattern

Cosido Scarf by Quenna Lee

What is Being Made

The Cosido is a knitted scarf designed by Quenna Lee for Malabrigo. This intermediate-level project creates a surprise patterned scarf that measures 7.25 inches wide and 74 inches long when blocked. The design features an innovative approach to colorwork by incorporating two distinct colorways of yarn to achieve interesting visual effects throughout the finished textile.

Design Concept and Colorway Options

Cosido is described as "a surprise around every turn," utilizing two skeins of Malabrigo Rios in contrasting or complementary colors. The pattern offers creative flexibility in color selection: knitters can choose two skeins with similar hues and tonalities for subtle, sophisticated effects (as demonstrated in the pattern with Pocion #139 and Tranquilo #841), or alternatively mix colors from opposite ends of the spectrum to create a bold and exciting textile. This dual-colorway approach allows each knitter to personalize the scarf's appearance while following the same construction method.

Techniques Used

The Cosido employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create its distinctive smocked appearance. The primary construction method alternates between two main stitch patterns: Moss Stitch and Slip Stitch. The scarf begins and ends with Moss Stitch edging in the main color, which frames the decorative body section. The central portion features a Slip Stitch pattern that alternates between the main color and contrast color, creating the visual interest and texture that defines this design.

A key technique featured in this pattern is the Gathered Stitch, which is worked by inserting the needle under a double strand of yarn from front to back, knitting one stitch, and passing the double strand over the completed stitch. This gathered stitch technique is strategically placed throughout the slip stitch rows to create the smocked effect that gives the scarf its characteristic dimensional appearance.

Edge finishing is accomplished through consistent slip-stitch edging: the first stitch of each row is slipped purl-wise, and the last stitch is knitted. This creates a smooth, finished side edge that frames the scarf neatly. When alternating between yarn colors, the new yarn is introduced after the first slipped stitch of each color-change row, ensuring seamless transitions between the two colorways.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the scarf
• Purl stitch (P): Used in Moss Stitch edging and as a base row between pattern repeats
• Slip stitch purl-wise (Sl p-wise): Used for edge finishing and as a core element of the Slip Stitch pattern body
• Moss Stitch: An alternating knit-purl pattern that creates a textured, bumpy fabric used for the scarf's beginning and ending borders
• Slip Stitch pattern: A multi-row pattern combining knit stitches, slipped stitches, and gathered stitches, worked over 27 stitches and repeated across the scarf width
• Gathered Stitch: A specialty stitch that creates the smocking effect by drawing yarn strands together

Materials and Gauge

The Cosido is worked on US 9 (5.5 mm) needles or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern calls for Malabrigo Rios yarn, which is 100% superwash merino wool. Each skein provides 210 yards (192 meters) and weighs 100 grams. The complete scarf requires two skeins total: one skein of the main color and one skein of the contrast color.

The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Moss Stitch after blocking. The finished scarf measures 7.25 inches wide and 74 inches long when properly blocked. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and one stitch marker to track pattern repeats.

Construction Notes

The scarf is worked flat as a narrow rectangle, beginning with a Moss Stitch edging in the main color. The cast-on uses 35 stitches, and the pattern is designed to maximize the use of the recommended yardage. The Slip Stitch body section alternates between the main color and contrast color throughout, creating the two-tone patterning. The