Plymouth Yarn Big Garter Cowl Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Big Garter Cowl

What is Being Made

The Plymouth Yarn Big Garter Cowl is a beginner-friendly knitted cowl designed to be worn around the neck. This circular accessory measures approximately 30 inches around and 17 inches tall, making it a generous, comfortable neckwear piece suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone statement accessory.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques ideal for those new to the craft. The cowl is constructed using the circular knitting method, which involves joining stitches in the round to create a seamless tube. The pattern requires basic skills including casting on, joining stitches without twisting, working in the round with a stitch marker, and binding off. A loose bind off is emphasized in the instructions to maintain the cowl's drape and elasticity, with the option to use a larger needle size if needed to achieve the desired looseness.

Stitches Used

The cowl features a simple garter stitch pattern worked in the round. Garter stitch is created by alternating knit and purl rounds: one round of purling followed by one round of knitting. This fundamental stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges that is forgiving for beginners and provides excellent stretch and recovery. The pattern repeats these two rounds continuously until the cowl reaches the desired height of approximately 17 inches.

Materials

The pattern calls for Hot Cakes yarn by Plymouth Yarn, requiring one 200-gram cake. The photographed example uses color 4 in Denim Mix. Knitters will need a 24-inch circular needle in US Size 9, with the option to switch to a larger needle (US Size 10 or 10.5) for the bind off to ensure loose, flexible edges. A single stitch marker is required to indicate the beginning of the round.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches over 4 inches in garter stitch when worked on US Size 9 needles. The cowl begins with 120 cast-on stitches and is worked until it reaches approximately 17 inches in height, though knitters can adjust the length based on personal preference or remaining yarn.