Multis Knotted Openwork Cowl in Cascade Yarns Superwash 128 Free

Multis Knotted Openwork Cowl in Cascade Yarns Superwash 128

What Is Being Made

This is a circular cowl designed by Shannon Dunbabin, measuring approximately 52 inches in circumference and 12 inches wide after gentle blocking. The cowl is knitted in the round using a simple stitch pattern that creates an openwork texture, making it an ideal project for displaying the hand-painted qualities of variegated yarn. The finished piece is described as squishy and soft, suitable for wearing as a neck accessory.

Techniques Used

The cowl employs circular knitting worked in the round on a circular needle, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric. The pattern incorporates openwork techniques through strategic yarn overs and decreases that create decorative holes throughout the fabric. The design uses a repeating 4-round pattern that alternates the placement of yarn overs and pass-over decreases to create a knotted appearance. Blocking is used as a finishing technique to set the gauge and shape of the completed cowl.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch used throughout most of the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – used in garter stitch borders at the beginning and end
• Yarn over (YO) – creates the openwork holes characteristic of the design
• Pass over decrease – the 3rd stitch on the right needle is passed over the first 2 stitches to create decreases that balance the yarn overs
• Garter stitch – worked for 2 rounds at the cast-on edge (1 knit round, 1 purl round) to create a finished edge

Materials and Tools

This project uses Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Multis, a yarn composed of 100% superwash merino wool. Two skeins of color #118 (Graphite) are required, with each skein weighing 100 grams (3.5 ounces) and containing 128 yards (117 meters). The pattern calls for a US 10 circular knitting needle measuring 24 inches in length, appropriate for working in the round. Additional tools include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round. The recommended gauge is approximately 2½ stitches per 1 inch after blocking, though the pattern notes that exact gauge is not critical for this project.