Sesia Hazel Neckwarmer Cowl Knitting Pattern

Sesia Hazel Neckwarmer

What Is Being Made

The Sesia Hazel Neckwarmer is a cowl-style neckwarmer designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This is a one-size accessory piece that measures 22 inches (56 centimeters) in circumference and 16 inches (40.5 centimeters) in height. The neckwarmer is constructed as a seamless, tubular garment suitable for wrapping around the neck for warmth and comfort.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create a professional, finished garment:

• Top-down construction: The neckwarmer is worked from the top of the piece downward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and intuitive shaping.
• Worked in the round: The majority of the piece is knitted in circular rounds using a circular needle, creating a seamless tube without side seams.
• Worked flat: After the initial circular shaping, the pattern transitions to flat knitting for the back section, which is then finished with a bind-off edge.
• Seamless construction: The use of circular needles and strategic increases and decreases creates a garment with minimal seaming required.
• Strategic shaping: The pattern incorporates multiple increase rounds (M1 increases) to expand the circumference gradually, creating a flattering fit that widens from the neckline.

Stitches Used

The Sesia Hazel Neckwarmer utilizes a limited palette of fundamental stitches, making it accessible to knitters of various skill levels:

• Garter stitch: The primary stitch pattern, created by knitting every row when working flat or alternating knit and purl rounds when working in the round. Garter stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and elasticity, ideal for a neckwarmer that needs to maintain its shape.
• K3, P3 Ribbing: Used for the initial 8-inch (20-centimeter) cuff at the top of the neckwarmer. This alternating knit and purl rib creates vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery, ensuring the neckwarmer stays snug around the neck without rolling.
• Knit and purl stitches: The foundation stitches used throughout, with specific applications in the ribbed sections and garter stitch sections.
• Make 1 increases (M1/M1L): Used to add stitches symmetrically throughout the piece. The pattern specifies M1 left (M1L), which involves lifting the strand between needles from front to back and working through the back loop to prevent holes and maintain a twisted, neat appearance.
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk): Decrease stitches used to shape the garment and manage stitch counts during the transition from circular to flat knitting.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Sesia Hazel Neckwarmer pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape, warmth, and luxury feel:

• Yarn: 2 balls of Sesia REBELLE, a premium blend containing 55% extra-fine merino wool, 32% mohair, and 13% silk. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 98 yards (90 meters) of yardage, for a total of approximately 196 yards (180 meters). The color used in the pattern is #0665 Raincloud, a sophisticated neutral shade.
• Needles: One size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 centimeters) in length, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge.
• Notions: A stitch holder for holding stitches during the transition from circular to flat knitting, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in garter stitch. The neckwarmer begins with a cast-on of 84 stitches, which are joined for working in the round. The initial 8