Noro Lila Cowl Knitting Pattern

Noro Lila Striped Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Noro Lila is a striped cowl designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This is a neck warmer garment with a finished circumference of 27 inches (68.5 cm) and a height of 8 inches (20.5 cm). The cowl features a classic two-color striped design that creates visual interest while maintaining a wearable, versatile accessory suitable for layering.

Construction Method

This cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming. The knitter casts on stitches and joins them in a circle, then works continuously upward in circular rounds. This construction method ensures a smooth, finished garment with no visible seams.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – The fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – Combined with knit stitches to create textured sections
• Seed stitch – An alternating knit and purl pattern worked over an even number of stitches. In the round, seed stitch is created by alternating K1, P1 in round 1, then P1, K1 in round 2, repeating these two rounds to build the textured pattern
• Ribbing (K1, P1 Rib) – Used for the cast-on edge and bind-off edge to create elastic, fitted sections that hug the neck

Stripe Technique

The cowl features a two-color striping pattern that repeats throughout the body. The stripe pattern alternates between 4 rounds of solid knit stitches in one color and 6 rounds of seed stitch in a contrasting color. This 10-round repeat is worked 4 complete times, then the pattern is finished with 4 additional rounds of the first color. A helpful technique note advises carrying the unused color loosely along the inside edge, twisting it around the working color every 2 rounds. This method avoids the need to cut the yarn and weave in multiple ends, resulting in a cleaner interior finish.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Lila cowl is knitted using Noro Kashirukuru yarn, a premium yarn known for its beautiful color variations and quality. The pattern calls for:

• 1 hank (75 grams) of Noro Kashirukuru in shade 24 Concord (Color A)
• 1 hank (75 grams) of Noro Kashirukuru in shade 75 Capri (Color B)
• Size US 8 (5mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) in length
• One stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 17 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) when working the stripe pattern on size US 8 (5mm) needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cowl meets the intended dimensions of 27 inches in circumference and 8 inches in height.

Pattern Structure

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 118 stitches joined in the round. The first 6 rounds establish a K1, P1 ribbed cuff. The knitter then joins the second color and works the 10-round stripe pattern repeat four times consecutively, followed by 4 additional rounds to complete the final stripe sequence. The cowl concludes with 1 round of knit stitches in the original color, followed by 4 rounds of K1, P1 ribbing, and a bind-off worked in rib to match the cast-on edge. This symmetrical structure creates a polished, professional finish on both the top and bottom edges of the cowl.