Restitos Cowl Knitting Pattern

Restitos Cowl in Malabrigo Merino Worsted

What is Being Made

The Restitos Cowl is a versatile, wrap-style cowl designed to make beautiful use of leftover yarn scraps. This intermediate-level knitting project transforms small bits of Malabrigo Merino Worsted into a finished cowl measuring 75 inches (190 cm) in circumference and 6.25 inches (16 cm) wide when worn unwrapped. The design creates a planned, patchwork appearance through strategic color placement and textural details, making it an ideal stash-busting project for knitters with multiple colors of yarn in their collections.

Techniques Used

This cowl employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive look and construction. The pattern utilizes Judy's Magic Cast On, a provisional cast-on method recommended to prevent accidental twisting when working in the round. The cowl is worked in the round using circular needles or the magic loop method, allowing for seamless construction. A key design feature is the faux-braid wrapping process, which creates visual interest and helps define the cowl's structure. The pattern is divided into two halves, with Half One intentionally longer than Half Two to facilitate this wrapping technique. Color changes are managed throughout the project with approximately 3-inch (7.5 cm) tails that can be woven in as work progresses or left loose and hidden within the tube of the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used in the Restitos Cowl is Broken Seed Stitch (BSS), which creates subtle texture and visual interest. The Broken Seed Stitch is worked over four rounds in the following sequence:

• Round 1: Repeat (Purl, Knit) around
• Round 2: Knit all stitches
• Round 3: Repeat (Knit, Purl) around
• Round 4: Knit all stitches

This four-round repeat is referenced throughout the pattern and worked according to the Broken Seed Stitch Chart. The stitch pattern is worked at a gauge of 16 stitches and 6 chart repeats (20 rows) equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in the round. The gauge is approximate and does not need to be perfectly accurate, making this pattern forgiving for knitters working with variegated or multi-colored yarns.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Restitos Cowl is designed specifically for Malabrigo Merino Worsted, a 100% merino wool yarn that offers excellent drape and softness. The pattern calls for multiple skeins in different colors to create the patchwork effect. The recommended color palette includes Buscando Azul #186 (MC1) and Pigeon #507 (MC2) as main colors, each providing 210 yards (192 meters) per 100-gram skein. Contrast colors include Dusty #60 (CC1) with 82 yards (75 meters), Emerald #735 (CC2) with 210 yards (192 meters), and Bijou Blou #608 (CC3) with 210 yards (192 meters). Knitters are encouraged to choose their own anchor colors and add as many additional hues as desired, making this pattern highly customizable for stash-busting purposes.

The pattern requires US 11 (8 mm) needles in two configurations: a 24-inch (60 cm) circular needle for magic loop work or double-pointed needles for the main construction, and an additional US 11 (8 mm) circular needle or double-pointed needles for holding stitches during the project. Additional notions include waste yarn for the provisional cast-on and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Overview by Designer

The Restitos Cowl is designed by Lynette Hulse and published as a downloadable PDF pattern. The design philosophy centers on transforming leftover bits of Malabrigo Merino Worsted—described as "tiny treasures" often tucked away in knitters' stash boxes—into a beautiful, finished accessory. The overall texture created by the Broken Seed Stitch combined with the braided detail results in a cohesive, intentional appearance despite being constructed from multiple yarn colors and scraps.