Malabrigo Hyannis Cowl Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Hyannis Cowl: Knit Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Hyannis is a circular knit cowl designed by Debbie O'Neill. This seamless, worked-in-the-round accessory measures approximately 36 inches in circumference and 12 inches in length, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for everyday wear. The cowl combines textural interest with refined construction techniques to create a modern, elevated garment.

Construction Techniques

This cowl is constructed using bottom-up, seamless construction, worked entirely in the round on circular needles. The seamless approach eliminates the need for finishing seams, creating a smooth, continuous fabric. The pattern begins with casting on 192 stitches loosely and joining to work in rounds, with careful attention paid to avoid twisting stitches on the needle before joining.

The garment is divided into three distinct sections: a twisted rib border at the bottom, a textured medallion stitch pattern in the center, and a matching twisted rib border at the top. This three-part construction provides visual balance and structural integrity to the finished piece.

Stitch Patterns Used

The Hyannis features two primary stitch patterns:

• Twisted K1, P1 Rib Pattern: This pattern is worked over an even number of stitches in rounds, alternating knit through the back loop (K1 tbl) with purl stitches. The twisted rib creates a refined edge with subtle texture and elasticity. This pattern is worked for 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) at both the bottom and top of the cowl.
• Medallion Stitch Pattern: This textured pattern is worked over a 6-stitch repeat, repeated 32 times around the cowl. The medallion stitch creates a light, dimensional texture through a combination of knit and purl stitches arranged in a 12-round repeat. The pattern alternates between sections of knit stitches and purl stitches, creating a subtle raised motif that adds visual interest without overwhelming the design. The pattern can be worked from written instructions or from a charted representation.

The main body of the cowl is worked in the medallion stitch pattern until the piece measures approximately 11 inches from the beginning, ending with row 6 of the pattern repeat before transitioning to the top twisted rib border.

Materials and Tools

The Hyannis pattern calls for Malabrigo Dos Tierras yarn, a blend of merino wool and baby alpaca. Two 3.5-ounce (100-gram) hanks are required, with each hank providing approximately 210 yards (193 meters) of yardage. The recommended colorway shown is #886 Diana.

Knitting is worked on a Size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 centimeters) in length, or whatever size is necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for marking the beginning of rounds and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. Two gauges are specified: 19 stitches and 30 rows per round over stockinette stitch using a Size 6 (4mm) needle, and 21 stitches and 30 rows per round over the medallion stitch pattern using the same needle size. Knitters are strongly encouraged to take time to check both gauges before beginning the project to ensure the finished cowl meets the intended measurements of 36 inches in circumference and 12 inches in length.

Finishing and Care

After binding off knitwise, the cowl is finished using a tapestry needle to weave in all ends on the wrong side. The completed piece is then laid flat on a wet terry cloth towel and lightly steamed with an iron on both sides to measure and set the fabric. The pattern specifically notes that the fabric should not be pressed hard, as this would compromise the texture of the medallion stitch. The cowl is left to dry completely in this position.

Skill Level: This pattern is rated as Easy, making it accessible to knitters with basic circular knitting experience and familiarity with simple stitch patterns.