Rowan Mabgate Cowl Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mabgate Cowl by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Mabgate is a knitted cowl designed by Lisa Richardson. This is a neck cowl that measures 22 cm (8½ inches) deep and 98 cm (38½ inches) in circumference when completed. The cowl is worked in the round using circular needles, creating a seamless tubular garment ideal for layering and warmth.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The cowl is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length if needed
• Worked in the round: Using circular needles, the entire piece is knitted continuously in rounds rather than flat rows, eliminating the need for seaming
• Cable work: The design features cable panels that are repeated throughout the piece. These cables are worked using a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted rope-like texture
• Decreasing shaping: Strategic decreases (P2tog and P2tog tbl) are incorporated at regular intervals to create a tapered silhouette that fits snugly around the neck
• Stitch increases: Make one (M1) increases are used early in the pattern to establish the proper stitch count for the design

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Mabgate cowl combines several stitch techniques to achieve its finished appearance:

• Garter stitch: Worked in the round (knitting every round), garter stitch creates the ribbed texture at the foundation of the cowl. The pattern begins with 6 rounds of garter stitch, then continues with 4 additional rounds after increasing stitches
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Purling every round creates reverse stockinette stitch, which forms the smooth background sections between cable panels. This stitch is measured at 22 stitches and 30 rounds to 10 cm
• Cable pattern: A 24-round repeating chart creates cable panels of 25 stitches each. Six cable segments are distributed evenly around the circumference of the cowl, with the cable panel measuring 9 cm in width

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Rowan Mabgate is knitted using Rowan Cashmere Tweed, a luxury yarn blend. The pattern requires 4 balls of 25 grams each (100 grams total). The yarn shown in the pattern photograph is colorway Yorkshire 013.

Needles: The pattern uses two sizes of circular needles to accommodate the stitch count changes:

• 3.25mm (US 3) circular needles in various lengths (minimum 60 cm, maximum 90 cm, with intermediate lengths as needed) for the initial cast-on and early rounds
• 4mm (US 6) circular needles in various lengths (minimum 60 cm, maximum 90 cm, with intermediate lengths as needed) for the main pattern section
• A cable needle for working the cable stitches

Tension: The pattern is designed to be worked at a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rounds to 10 cm measured over reverse stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential, as the cable panel is designed to measure 9 cm in width.