Red Hawk Cowl Knitting Pattern

Red Hawk Cowl in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino

What is Being Made

The Red Hawk Cowl is a two-color knitted cowl designed by Adina Logsdon. This accessory measures 9½ inches high with a 32-inch circumference, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for layering and everyday wear. The design features a striking color combination using charcoal and red, creating visual interest through strategic color placement and cable work.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This cowl is crafted using Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino, a 100% superwash merino wool yarn. The yarn weight is 100 grams (3.5 ounces) per skein with a yardage of 220 yards (200 meters) per skein. The pattern requires 2 skeins of color #27 (Charcoal) for the main color and 1 skein of color #29 (Red) for the contrast color. US 5 circular knitting needles are used for construction, along with a cable needle, stitch markers, and a yarn needle for finishing.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Red Hawk Cowl employs cabled ribbing as its primary stitch pattern, combining knit and purl stitches with cable twists to create texture and dimension. The pattern is worked in the round using circular needles, which is ideal for seamless cowl construction. The main stitches used include:

• Knit (K) – the fundamental stitch that creates the smooth stockinette portions
• Purl (P) – used to create ribbed texture and contrast within the pattern
• C2F (Cable 2 Front) – a cable technique where 2 stitches are slipped onto a cable needle and held to the front of the work, then 2 stitches are knitted from the left needle before knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the distinctive twisted cable effect

Pattern Structure and Gauge

The cowl is cast on with 189 stitches and worked in the round to prevent seaming. The gauge is 22 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. The cabled ribbing pattern repeats throughout and includes cable twists on every third round, creating a rhythmic visual pattern. The pattern is provided in both written and chart form for knitter preference.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

This design is rated as Intermediate/Advanced, making it suitable for knitters with experience in cable work and circular needle techniques. The superwash merino wool used in this cowl is pre-treated to resist bleeding and color fastness issues, though knitters have the option to test their yarn by creating a gauge swatch and washing it in a vinegar bath if desired. A practical note included with the pattern suggests that with 2 skeins each of yarn in contrasting colors, knitters can create 2 cowls by alternating the main color and contrast color for each cowl, offering excellent value and versatility from the yarn investment.