Shibui Knits Mix No. 29 Cowl Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Mix No. 29 Cowl

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Shibui Knits creates a sophisticated cowl featuring dynamic mitered chevrons worked seamlessly in the round. Designed by Jenny Faifel for the S/S 2014 collection, the cowl showcases striking color variation and textural contrast through the combination of two distinct yarn weights held together throughout construction.

What Is Being Made

A single-piece cowl worked in the round with a finished circumference of 54 inches and a height of 9.5 inches. The cowl is constructed using a provisional cast-on method and finished with Kitchener stitch grafting to join the ends seamlessly, creating a continuous tube without visible seams.

Techniques Used

• Seamless construction: The entire cowl is worked in the round on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming
• Stripes and color work: Multiple color changes throughout the pattern create visual interest and movement
• Provisional cast-on: A crochet chain waste yarn method allows for a flexible starting edge that can be grafted to the final row
• Kitchener stitch grafting: Used to join the cast-on and bind-off edges together invisibly, creating a continuous loop
• Two-yarn held together technique: One strand each of Cima and Pebble are held as a single working yarn throughout, creating textural complexity

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cowl features a Chevron Stitch Pattern that creates the distinctive mitered design. This pattern uses the following key stitches:

• Knit (K): Basic knit stitch
• Make One Left (M1L) and Make One Right (M1R): Increases that add stitches on either side of the chevron points to create the characteristic peaks and valleys
• Slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over (S2kp): A centered double decrease that reduces 2 stitches, essential for forming the valleys of the chevron pattern

The chevron pattern is worked over 2 rounds that repeat throughout the piece. The pattern includes multiple repeat sections with varying stitch counts to create the dynamic mitered chevron effect across the full circumference.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern requires two complementary yarns from Shibui Knits, held together as one throughout:

Shibui Cima: A luxurious blend of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino wool. This yarn provides a smooth, halo effect and contributes softness and drape. The pattern calls for 328 yards per 50-gram skein, with 2 skeins of Color A (Ivory), plus 1 skein each of Color B (Camel), Color D (Caffeine), Color E (Graphite), and Color F (Suit).

Shibui Pebble: A textured blend of 48% recycled silk, 36% wool, and 16% cashmere. This tweedy yarn adds visual texture and subtle color variation when contrasted with the smooth Cima. The pattern requires 224 yards per 25-gram skein, with 3 skeins of Color A (Ivory), plus 1 skein each of Color C, Color D (Caffeine), and Color E (Graphite).

The combination of these two yarns creates a sophisticated melange effect, with the smooth alpaca halo of Cima providing contrast against the tweedy texture of Pebble.

Tools Required

• Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16 inches long
• Spare circular needle in the same size or smaller (to facilitate Kitchener stitch grafting)
• Waste yarn for provisional cast-on (crochet chain method)

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is designed for one size with a finished circumference of 54 inches and height of 9.5 inches. Gauge is 27 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches in the Chevron Stitch pattern after blocking, measured with 1 strand of Cima and 1 strand of Pebble held together.