Tahki Yarns Grand Banks Colorblock Cowl Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Grand Banks Colorblock Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Grand Banks Colorblock Cowl is a knitted cowl designed by Debbi Stone and Marcy Vandale. This one-size cowl features a colorblock design combining solid and printed yarns in warm autumn tones. With a circumference of 62½ inches and a width of 11 inches, it creates a generous, versatile neckwear piece suitable for layering over various garments.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished piece:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cowl is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final length if desired.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this pattern is worked flat on a circular needle, which is then seamed together to form the cowl shape.
• Provisional Cast-On: The pattern uses a crochet chain provisional cast-on technique, which allows live stitches to be picked up later for grafting. This method involves using a crochet hook and waste yarn to create a temporary cast-on edge that can be unraveled stitch by stitch when ready to graft.
• Grafting: The cowl is finished using the grafting technique, also known as Kitchener stitch, which seamlessly joins two sets of live stitches together. This creates an invisible seam where the cast-on and bind-off edges meet, resulting in a polished, professional finish.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, specifically the C2F (cable 2 front) technique, which involves slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the front, and crossing them over subsequent stitches to create twisted, dimensional textures.

Stitches Used

The Grand Banks Colorblock Cowl primarily features Garter Cross stitch as its main stitch pattern. This stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with visual interest on both sides. The pattern also incorporates cable stitches, with the C2F (cable 2 front) abbreviation indicating two-stitch cables that are crossed to the front of the work. These cable elements add dimension and a sophisticated texture to the colorblock design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Grand Banks Colorblock Cowl is designed to showcase the versatility of Tahki yarn products through a carefully planned color combination:

• Tahki ALDEN in Olive (Color #08): 3 balls used for the primary color (A). Each ball contains 1.75 ounces and 250 yards of yarn composed of 50% fine merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic.
• Tahki ALDEN in Copper (Color #04): 2 balls used as a secondary solid color (B), featuring the same fiber content and yardage as the olive colorway.
• Tahki ALDEN PRINT in Autumn Leaves (Color #104): 2 balls used as the printed accent color (C), also containing the same blend of 50% fine merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic with 250 yards per ball.

Tools and Equipment

The pattern requires specific needles and tools to achieve the correct gauge and execute the specialized techniques:

• Size 8 (5mm) circular needle: A 32-inch length is specified for working the cowl flat.
• Cable needle (cn): Required for executing the cable stitches throughout the pattern.
• Size H-8 (5mm) crochet hook: Used specifically for the provisional cast-on technique with waste yarn.
• Yarn needle: Essential for grafting the seams and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in Garter Cross stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 62½ inches in circumference and 11 inches in width. Knitters are advised to knit a gauge swatch and measure it carefully before beginning the cowl to ensure proper fit and drape.