Noro Neck Wrap / Snood Cowl Knitting Pattern

Noro Neck Wrap / Snood - Designer Mini Knits

What Is Being Made

This is a sophisticated neck wrap or snood designed by Jenny Watson, featured as Design 24 from the Mini Knits 4 collection. The finished piece measures 61cm (24 inches) all around and 32cm (12½ inches) in depth, making it an ideal accessory for layering around the neck or wearing as a cowl. The snood is worked flat on straight needles and then seamed to create a continuous loop.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Worked Flat: The piece is constructed on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for a traditional seamed construction
• Cables and Lace Elements: The design incorporates decorative stitch manipulation, including yarn forward increases and cable-style decreases that create an elegant openwork pattern
• Seamed Construction: After completing the flat knitted piece, a single seam is joined to form the finished neck wrap
• Ribbed Edging: The pattern begins with a knit-purl ribbed section that provides structure and elasticity

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative stitches to build the complete design:

• Ribbing: A K4, P2 rib pattern creates the initial foundation rows, providing elasticity and a finished edge
• Lace Decreases: The main pattern features yarn forward (yfwd) increases paired with cable-style decreases where the first of three knit stitches is passed over the remaining two stitches, creating an openwork lace effect
• Stockinette Variations: Knit and purl stitches are combined to frame the decorative pattern sections
• Pattern Repeat: A four-row repeat establishes the rhythm of the design, alternating between increase rows, stockinette rows, decrease rows, and transition rows

Materials and Tools

The Noro Neck Wrap / Snood is designed to be worked with premium yarn and appropriately sized needles:

• Yarn: 2 x 100g balls of Noro Kibou in Shade 11, providing approximately 200 grams of yarn total
• Needles: One pair of 3.25mm (US3) knitting needles for the ribbed foundation section, and one pair of 4mm (US6) knitting needles for the main pattern
• Gauge: The pattern is designed to achieve 24 stitches and 28 rows over 10cm (4 inches) when measured over the stitch pattern using 4mm (US6) needles

Pattern Construction Details

The snood is constructed in two distinct sections. The first 12cm (4¾ inches) is worked in K4, P2 ribbing using the smaller 3.25mm needles, establishing a structured base. A strategic decrease row reduces the stitch count from 218 to 146 stitches, transitioning the work to the larger 4mm needles. The main pattern then develops over four rows, featuring yarn forward increases in the first row that expand the stitch count to 182, followed by a decrease row that returns it to 146 stitches. This creates a balanced lace pattern with excellent drape. The piece continues in this four-row repeat until reaching the full 32cm (12½ inch) depth, then is cast off in pattern to maintain consistency. A final seam joins the two ends to complete the neck wrap.