Shibui Knits Mix No. 34 Cowl Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Mix No. 34: Staccato Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Staccato Cowl is a luxurious, seamless knitted cowl designed by Susan Lawrence for Shibui Knits. This cowl measures 36 inches in circumference and 12.5 inches in height, making it a substantial neckwear accessory. The design is fully reversible, presenting completely different textures and appearances on each side, offering versatility in styling. The cowl is intended to be worn with the bound-off edge at the bottom and the scalloped edge at the top, where the slight flare of the bound-off edge allows the cowl to sit comfortably on the shoulders without requiring any shaping.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using seamless knitting worked in the round, a technique that creates a continuous tube without seams. The pattern employs linear decreases and angular stitch patterns to form the dimensional, textured surface that characterizes the design. The undulating edges provide visual contrast to the structured interior, creating what the designer describes as a study in opposites. The reversible nature of the cowl means that both sides showcase different textural qualities, making it a sophisticated design element that can be worn either direction depending on preference.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is the Shell Pattern, which repeats over a multiple of 20 stitches across 10 rounds. The pattern incorporates several key stitches:

• Knit stitch (k) forms the foundational stockinette base
• S2KP (Slip 2 stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over) creates the angular decreases that shape the pattern and reduce stitch count strategically
• M1 (Make 1) increases, created by making a backward loop on the right needle, which balance the decreases and form the expanding sections of the shell pattern

The shell pattern progresses through 10 rounds, with the decreases gradually moving closer to the center while the increases create expanding sections that form the characteristic scalloped edges. This interplay of increases and decreases creates the dimensional, textured surface without requiring complex color work or intricate stitch variations.

Materials and Tools

The Staccato Cowl is knitted by holding one strand of Shibui Staccato and one strand of Shibui Silk Cloud together throughout, creating a blended yarn that combines the properties of both fibers.

Shibui Staccato comprises 70% superwash merino and 30% silk, with 191 yards per 50-gram skein. Three skeins are required for this project.

Shibui Silk Cloud is composed of 60% kid mohair and 40% silk, with 330 yards per 25-gram skein. Two skeins are needed. The combination of these two yarns creates what Shibui describes as a luminous combination that provides soft structure for this luxurious accessory.

The project is worked on a Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle. Additional tools include a tapestry needle for finishing and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, measured after light steam blocking with both yarns held together on size 6 needles.

Skill Level and Design Notes

This cowl is rated as an Easy skill level project, making it accessible to knitters with basic competency in circular knitting and simple stitch techniques. The straightforward shell pattern repeats make it suitable for knitters seeking a project that combines elegance with approachable construction. The finished cowl is shown in Ivory, the color option featured in the pattern documentation.