Treillage Cowl Knitting Pattern

Treillage Cowl in Malabrigo Rasta

What is Being Made

The Treillage Cowl is a knitted cowl designed by Jennifer Emslie. This project creates a finished cowl measuring 10 inches in height and 23 inches in width, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for layering and everyday wear. The cowl is constructed as a single rectangle that is seamed at the edges to form a continuous loop.

Difficulty Level and Project Scope

This is a beginner-friendly knitting project, making it an excellent choice for those new to the craft or looking for a quick, straightforward pattern. The finished cowl requires only one skein of yarn, keeping material costs minimal and making it an accessible project for knitters of all experience levels.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Treillage Cowl employs fundamental knitting techniques that are essential for beginner knitters to master. The pattern utilizes yarn over stitches combined with knit two together decreases to create an openwork lace effect. This technique of pairing yarn overs with decreases is a foundational method in lace knitting, allowing knitters to create decorative holes and texture while maintaining stitch count. The pattern also incorporates basic seaming at the conclusion, where the cast-on and cast-off edges are sewn together to form the cowl's circular shape.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Treillage Cowl primarily features the following stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch — the foundational stitch used throughout the cowl, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side (though the pattern simplifies this with knit rows)
• Yarn Over (yo) — creates decorative openings in the fabric and is essential to the lace pattern
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs to maintain stitch count while creating the openwork design

The pattern repeats a four-row sequence: a knit row, a lace row featuring alternating yarn overs and knit two together decreases, followed by two additional knit rows. This creates a regular, geometric lattice or trellis-like pattern across the fabric, which is reflected in the cowl's name.

Materials and Tools

The Treillage Cowl is worked in Malabrigo Rasta, a premium yarn from Malabrigo, using colorway #412 Teal Feather. Only one skein is required to complete the project. The pattern is worked on US 17 / 12mm needles, which are larger needles that create a more open, drape-friendly fabric suitable for a cowl's intended wear and movement. The gauge is 8 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch, which is a relatively loose gauge that contributes to the cowl's fluid, lightweight quality.

Pattern Construction

The cowl begins with casting on 20 stitches, a modest stitch count that keeps the project manageable for beginners. Knitters then work the four-row repeat pattern continuously until the piece measures approximately 23 inches in width. The pattern is designed to be worked flat in rows rather than in the round, simplifying the construction process. After reaching the desired length, stitches are cast off following a lace row, and the two ends are seamed together to create the finished cowl shape.