Rowan Lima Scarf Cowl Knitting Pattern

Rowan Lima Scarf and Cowl: Knitted Lace Projects

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Lima pattern provides instructions for two distinct knitted accessories: a scarf and a cowl. Both pieces feature the same signature lace stitch pattern worked in two contrasting yarn colors. The scarf is a flat, rectangular piece measuring 15 cm wide by approximately 130 cm long, while the cowl is a circular accessory measuring 20 cm deep with a circumference of approximately 100 cm. These are versatile layering pieces suitable for various seasons depending on yarn fiber choice.

Techniques Used

Both projects employ seamless knitting construction, eliminating the need for seaming after completion. The scarf is worked flat on a circular needle using flat knitting methods, while the cowl is worked in the round using circular needles. Both pieces incorporate lace techniques through yarn overs and decreases that create an openwork pattern. The designs feature stripes created by alternating between two yarn colors every two rows or rounds, producing a two-color striped effect throughout the finished pieces.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The core stitch pattern is a four-row or four-round repeat that combines several fundamental knitting techniques. The pattern uses yarn forward (yfwd) increases to create the lace openings, paired with slip stitch (sl 1) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases. A signature element is the slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K2tog, psso) decrease, which creates a centered double decrease. The scarf pattern begins with a purl row and alternates between knit and lace pattern rows. The cowl pattern works the same stitch sequence in the round, with careful attention to maintaining proper stitch count and moving the beginning-of-round marker correctly when the final decrease crosses the round boundary.

Materials and Specifications

Both projects use 4mm (US 6) circular needles. The scarf requires a circular needle at least 100 cm long to accommodate the 345 cast-on stitches, while the cowl uses a circular needle no more than 80 cm long for its 264 cast-on stitches. The pattern specifies Rowan Island Blend yarn for the scarf in two colors: Jet 902 and Lemon 908, with 1 x 50gm of each color. The cowl uses the same yarn brand in different colors: Blush 904 and White 900, also 1 x 50gm each. The recommended tension is 26.5 stitches and 24.5 rows to 10 cm measured over the lace pattern using 4mm needles. Finishing involves pressing according to the yarn ball band instructions.

Pattern Repeats and Construction Details

The scarf pattern requires 9 complete pattern repeats of the four-row sequence, totaling 36 rows of knitting. The cowl pattern requires 11 complete pattern repeats of the four-round sequence. Both pieces begin with a cast-on row using the first yarn color, followed by alternating two-row or two-round sections in contrasting colors. The lace pattern maintains consistent stitch count throughout via balanced increases and decreases, creating an elegant openwork effect that remains stable and wearable.