Tahki Yarns Lovell Reversible Cowl Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Lovell Reversible Cowl

What is Being Made

The Lovell Reversible Cowl is a knitted cowl designed by Susan Baron. This accessory measures 14 inches in width and 55 inches in length when blocked, making it a generous wrap-style cowl suitable for versatile styling. The reversible construction means both sides of the finished piece display attractive patterning, allowing the wearer to choose which side faces outward depending on preference or outfit coordination.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create visual interest and structural integrity. The cowl is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which simplifies the construction process. A provisional cast-on is used at the beginning, allowing live stitches to remain available at both ends of the piece for seamless finishing. The two ends are then joined using the Kitchener stitch, a grafting technique that creates an invisible seam by threading yarn through live stitches on two needles held parallel. This method ensures the cowl closes smoothly without a visible join line.

Stitches and Cable Work

The pattern centers on cable stitches as the primary decorative element. Specifically, the design features a 4/4 Left Cross (4/4 LC) cable, which is worked by slipping stitches to a cable needle, manipulating yarn position, and crossing groups of knit and purl stitches over one another. This cable cross is interspersed with knit 2, purl 2 ribbing throughout the pattern, creating a balanced texture. The cable pattern repeats across 16 rows, with cable crosses occurring on rows 3 and 11 within each repeat cycle. Rows 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 15 maintain the k2, p2 ribbing pattern, while all wrong-side rows follow the same ribbing sequence. This structured pattern repeat ensures consistent visual rhythm along the length of the cowl.

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for 6 balls of Tahki MANCHESTER yarn, a blend composed of 45% Fine Highland Wool, 35% Superfine Alpaca, and 20% Acrylic. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces and contains 109 yards of yardage, providing approximately 654 yards total for the project. The recommended color is 08 denim. Knitting is worked on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, with gauge established at 24 stitches and 26 rows equaling 4 inches in the cable pattern when blocked. A size G (4.5mm) crochet hook is used specifically for the provisional cast-on technique. Additional notions include a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable crosses, five stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a yarn needle for grafting and weaving in ends, and scrap yarn in a contrasting color for the provisional cast-on.

Pattern Difficulty and Construction Overview

Rated as Easy, this pattern is accessible to knitters with basic cable experience. The single size accommodates most wearers with its generous 55-inch length. Construction begins with the provisional cast-on of 80 stitches, followed by 16 rows of the cable pattern repeated four times across each row. The piece is then worked to approximately 55 inches in length (gently stretched), ending on either row 8 or row 16 of the pattern repeat to maintain visual consistency. The reversible quality emerges naturally from the balanced knit and purl construction, ensuring both sides present an attractive appearance suitable for wearing either direction outward.