Mock Rib Cowls Knitting Pattern

Mock Rib Cowls in Plymouth Yarn Merino Textura

What is Being Made

The Mock Rib Cowl is a versatile neck accessory knitted in the round using a textured stitch pattern. This cowl measures 12 ¼ inches wide by 34 inches in circumference after blocking, making it suitable for wearing as a comfortable, close-fitting neck warmer. The design uses two coordinating colors of yarn to create visual interest and dimension in the finished piece.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that add complexity and visual appeal to the finished cowl:

• Two-color knitting: The pattern uses two separate 100-gram skeins of yarn in different colors—Orange Shadow and Steel Shadow—to create a coordinated colorway. The main body is worked in Orange Shadow, while Steel Shadow is used for the edging.
• Circular knitting: The cowl is constructed using a 24-inch circular needle, allowing for seamless in-the-round construction that creates a continuous tube.
• Mock Rib stitch pattern: A specialized textured stitch that creates the appearance of ribbing through a combination of knit, purl, yarn over, and decrease stitches. This stitch is worked in multiples of 4 stitches when worked in the round.
• Yarn overs and decreases: The pattern incorporates yarn over stitches (YO) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases to create the characteristic texture and structure of the mock rib.
• Blocking: The finished measurements are taken after blocking, which helps even out the stitches and set the final dimensions of the cowl.
• Edging application: After the main body is complete, stitches are picked up around the edge and worked with Steel Shadow yarn to create a finished edge that also slightly draws in the cowl for a more refined appearance.

Stitches Used

The Mock Rib Cowl pattern utilizes a focused set of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the fabric.
• Purl (P): Purl stitches are used in the setup rows and create texture variation.
• Yarn Over (YO): A special yarn over technique is used in this pattern, abbreviated as sl 1 yo, where the yarn is laid under the needle to the front of the work, the next stitch is slipped purlwise, and then the yarn is laid back over the needle to the back. This creates an eyelet or decorative hole that is central to the mock rib texture.
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): This right-leaning decrease stitch reduces stitch count and creates the structured appearance of the mock rib pattern.
• Purl Two Together (P2tog): Used in the flat knitting version of the pattern, this left-leaning decrease works in conjunction with the other stitches to maintain pattern consistency.
• Slip Stitch (Sl): Stitches are slipped purlwise as part of the special yarn over technique that defines the mock rib stitch.

Materials and Tools

The Mock Rib Cowl is designed to be worked with Plymouth Yarn Merino Textura, a premium yarn choice that provides excellent stitch definition and drape:

• Yarn: Merino Textura by Plymouth Yarn—1 skein (100 grams) each in color 5 Orange Shadow and color 13 Steel Shadow. The yarn weight and fiber content are specifically chosen to achieve the correct gauge and create the desired texture of the mock rib stitch.
• Needles: One US size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches in length, which is the appropriate size to achieve the required gauge and accommodate the 38 cast-on stitches.
• Notions: One stitch marker (m) is used to mark the beginning of rounds when working in the round, ensuring accurate pattern repeats throughout the project.
• Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 32 rows equals 4 inches in Mock Rib after blocking. The pattern notes that when working the mock rib gauge swatch, each knit