Malabrigo Pañuelo Cowl Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Pañuelo Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Pañuelo is a casual, versatile neck-wear design that combines the ease and comfort of a cowl with the elegant appearance of a shawl. Designed by Jennie Santopietro, this piece plays on the aesthetic of a traditional bandanna, offering a beautiful finishing touch for any outfit. The finished cowl measures 14.5 inches (37 cm) deep at the center point with a neck opening circumference of 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm) when unblocked.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive structure and visual appeal:

• Garter Tab Setup: The pattern begins with a garter tab cast-on method, where 3 stitches are cast on and worked in garter stitch for 7 rows. The work is then rotated to pick up stitches along the edges, creating a seamless foundation for the piece.
• Increases: The design uses both M1L (Make 1 Left) and M1R (Make 1 Right) increases to shape the cowl. These increases are worked by lifting the bar before the next stitch and knitting through the appropriate loop, creating invisible shaping.
• Yarn Overs: Decorative yarn overs are incorporated along the edges to create a refined, lacy detail that frames the piece.
• Flat Knitting with Circular Needles: Although worked on a 32-inch circular needle, the cowl is knitted flat (back and forth in rows) rather than in the round, allowing for easier color changes and construction.
• Two-Color Stripes: The pattern features alternating stripes worked in two contrasting colors of Malabrigo Rios yarn. Rather than breaking yarn between color changes, the non-working yarn is carried up the side of the work and wrapped with the working yarn on off-rows to secure it in place.
• Stockinette and Garter Stitch Combination: The piece combines stockinette stitch sections with garter stitch borders, creating textural contrast and a polished finish.

Stitches Used

The Malabrigo Pañuelo employs a straightforward stitch vocabulary appropriate for intermediate knitters:

• Knit Stitch (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the piece, including in the garter stitch borders and stockinette sections.
• Purl Stitch (P): Used to create textural variation and to define the stockinette stitch sections within the striped pattern.
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates decorative eyelets along the edges of the cowl for a refined, lacy appearance.
• M1L and M1R Increases: These invisible increase techniques shape the cowl by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting through the appropriate loop, creating a seamless expansion of the fabric.
• Garter Stitch: Knitting every stitch on every row creates the textured borders and the initial tab setup.
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, this stitch creates the smooth, classic fabric that forms the body of the cowl.

Materials and Gauge

The Malabrigo Pañuelo is worked in Malabrigo Rios, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% superwash merino wool. Each skein contains 210 yards (192 meters) and weighs 100 grams. The pattern calls for two skeins total: one skein in Marte #121 (the main color) and one skein in Cirrus Gray #845 (the contrasting color).

The project is worked on US 8 (5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm), or whatever needle size is needed to obtain the correct gauge. The unblocked gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

The superwash merino wool yarn provides both durability and softness, making this cowl a comfortable and practical accessory that can be