Sayles Cowl Knitting Pattern

Sayles Cowl in Berroco Hearthside

What is Being Made

The Sayles Cowl is a large, dramatic cowl designed by Åsa Buchta that features a distinctive flared silhouette. The cowl measures approximately 24 inches around the top and expands to 40 inches around the bottom, with a height of 12 inches. This generous sizing allows the cowl to drape elegantly around the shoulders and neckline, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various outfits and occasions.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project is worked in the round from the bottom up using circular needles. The construction method creates a seamless, tubular garment that gradually increases in circumference from top to bottom, resulting in the characteristic flared cowl shape. The pattern incorporates cable stitches that are manipulated using a cable needle, adding textural interest and visual depth to the finished piece. Knitters will need to be comfortable reading both written instructions and stitch charts, as the pattern provides both formats for working the pattern repeats.

Stitches Used

• Seed Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the cowl, creating a textured, bumpy fabric that is reversible and lies flat. Seed stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern.
• Cable Stitches: Twisted stitches created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them to the front or back of the work, and then knitting stitches in a different order. These cables add dimension and visual interest to the design.
• Knit and Purl Stitches: The fundamental building blocks used throughout the pattern to create the seed stitch base and cable crossings.

Materials and Tools

The Sayles Cowl is designed to be worked in Berroco Hearthside, a yarn that requires 2 balls (200 grams total) in the colorway #11007 Fogstone. A 24-inch circular needle in size 10½ (6.5mm) is required to accommodate the cast-on of 144 stitches and maintain the in-the-round construction. Additional notions include a cable needle for manipulating stitches, a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends. The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 22 rounds over 4 inches in seed stitch, measured after blocking, making accurate gauge checking essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.