Rowan Pippin Cowl Knitting Pattern

Rowan Pippin Cowl by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Pippin Cowl is a seamless knitted cowl designed by Martin Storey. This finished piece measures 51 cm (20 inches) all around and is 25 cm (10 inches) deep, making it a versatile neckwear accessory suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Worked in the round: The cowl is knitted seamlessly in continuous rounds using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Bottom-up construction: The piece is worked from the cast-on edge upward to the final bind-off, allowing for easy adjustments to length if needed.
• Cable work: Multiple cable stitches are incorporated throughout the pattern, including C2B (cable 2 back), C2F (cable 2 front), C6B (cable 6 back), and C6F (cable 6 front) abbreviations. These cables create textured, twisted columns that add visual interest and dimension to the fabric.

Stitches and Pattern Structure

The Pippin Cowl combines ribbed and cable stitch patterns in a structured repeat. The pattern features:

• Alternating rounds of knit and purl stitches that create a classic ribbed foundation
• Cable crossings worked on a base of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitches
• An 8-round pattern repeat that is worked across the main body of the cowl
• A 25-stitch pattern repeat that repeats 7 times per round, creating balanced, symmetrical cable placement
• Ribbed edgings at both the cast-on and bind-off edges for a neat, finished appearance

Materials and Tools

The Rowan Pippin Cowl requires the following materials and equipment:

• Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK weight yarn; 2 x 50g balls are required. The photographed sample is worked in the colorway Taupe 245.
• Needles: Two circular needles are needed—a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no more than 40 cm long for the ribbed sections, and a 4mm (US 6) circular needle no more than 40 cm long for the cable pattern sections. A cable needle is also required for executing the cable crossings.
• Tension: The pattern is designed to achieve 34 stitches and 33 rows per 10 cm when measured over the cable pattern using the 4mm (US 6) needles.

Pattern Overview

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 175 stitches using the smaller 3¼mm needle. A marker is placed to denote the beginning and end of rounds. The first section consists of 12 rounds of ribbing that establish the stitch pattern and create a stable foundation. The pattern then transitions to the larger 4mm needle, where 62 rounds of cable patterning are worked, creating the main decorative body of the cowl. The piece concludes with a return to the smaller 3¼mm needle for a final 11 rounds of ribbing before binding off in rib for a polished edge. Finishing involves pressing according to standard knitting guidelines.