Malabrigo Wonky Rib Cowl Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Wonky Rib Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Wonky Rib Cowl is a seamless, tubular neck accessory designed to be worn as a cozy cowl. With a finished circumference of 47.25 inches (120 cm) and a height of 12.25 inches (31 cm), this cowl provides generous coverage and drape for comfortable everyday wear. The design features a playful asymmetrical rib pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining the structure and stretch of traditional ribbed knitting.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using bottom-up construction, meaning you begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the top. The garment is worked seamless and in the round using a circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric. The seamless construction method ensures a comfortable fit with no interruptions where edges would meet. Knitters have the option to use either the tubular cast-on method for a professional (k2, p2) ribbed edge, or the more traditional long-tail cast-on method, depending on their skill level and preference.

Stitches Used

The Wonky Rib Cowl employs a combination of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to create its distinctive texture and pattern:

• Knit stitch (k) — the basic foundation stitch used throughout the fabric
• Purl stitch (p) — used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed texture
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease used to shape the heart pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — a left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs for balanced shaping
• Yarn over (yo) — creates decorative eyelets and lace elements within the rib pattern

The pattern begins with a foundational (k2, p2) ribbed section worked for one round. The main design features a repeating "heart pattern" that spans 20 stitches and 40 rounds, creating a 3-inch (7.5 cm) wide and 5-inch (12.5 cm) tall motif. This heart pattern combines traditional ribbing with strategic decreases and yarn overs to produce an asymmetrical, wonky appearance that gives the cowl its distinctive character.

Materials

The Malabrigo Wonky Rib Cowl is designed to be knitted with Malabrigo Arroyo yarn, a luxurious 100% merino wool in the colorway Pearl (036). The pattern calls for 2 skeins, providing 610 yards (610 meters) of yarn total, though any double knitting weight yarn of equivalent yardage may be substituted. Knitters will need US #6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches (100 cm) in length to accommodate the 320 cast-on stitches worked in the round. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and one stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rounds per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, with the rib pattern measuring slightly differently at 1 pattern repeat of 20 stitches and 40 rounds equaling 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide by 5 inches (12.5 cm) high.