Tuck Stitch Cowl Knitting Pattern

Tuck Stitch Cowl in Plymouth Yarn Arequipa Worsted & Fur

What is Being Made

This is an intermediate-level knitted cowl featuring a luxurious two-yarn construction. The finished cowl measures approximately 29 inches in circumference and 13 inches in length, making it a versatile neckwear piece that can be worn as a traditional cowl or styled in multiple ways. The design combines a textured base layer with a soft, fuzzy accent trim for visual and tactile interest.

Materials Used

The pattern calls for two distinct yarns from Plymouth Yarn's Arequipa collection:

• Arequipa Worsted: 1 ball (100g) in color 305 DK Grey, providing the main body of the cowl
• Arequipa Fur: 1 ball (50g) in color 203 Silver, used for the decorative edge trim

The pattern requires US Size 8 (5mm) straight knitting needles for the main body and US Size 11 (7mm) 24-inch circular needles for the fur trim edge. One stitch marker is needed to join the fur section in the round.

Gauge and Blocking

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. When working the Tuck Stitch pattern with Arequipa Worsted on US Size 8 needles, the gauge is 15 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches after blocking. For the Arequipa Fur worked in stockinette stitch on US Size 11 needles, the gauge is 10 stitches over 4 inches after blocking. Blocking is recommended to bring out the stitch detail and ensure proper drape.

Primary Technique: Tuck Stitch

The defining feature of this cowl is the Tuck Stitch, also known as knitting or purling into the row below. This technique creates a distinctive textured appearance by inserting the needle through the center of a stitch one row below the current working row, then slipping the original stitch off the needle. The tuck stitch is worked differently depending on which side of the fabric is facing:

• On the Wrong Side (WS): Insert the right-hand needle through the center of the stitch one row below and knit this stitch, slipping the left-hand stitch off the needle
• On the Right Side (RS): Insert the right-hand needle from back to front (as you would normally purl a stitch) through the center of the stitch one row below and purl this stitch, slipping the left-hand stitch off the needle

This technique adds depth and visual interest to the fabric while maintaining an intermediate difficulty level suitable for knitters with foundational skills.

Stitch Pattern

The Tuck Stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. The four-row repeat is as follows:

• Row 1 (WS): Knit 1, *knit 2, tuck, knit 1; repeat from * across to last stitch, knit 1
• Row 2 (RS): Purl 1, *purl 3, tuck; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1
• Row 3 (WS): Knit 1, *tuck, knit 3; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1
• Row 4 (RS): Purl 1, *purl 1, tuck, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1

These four rows are repeated throughout the main body of the cowl to create the textured fabric. The fur trim is worked in basic stockinette stitch (knitting every round when working in the round), providing a smooth contrast to the patterned body.

Construction Method

The cowl is constructed in two main sections that are later joined together. The Arequipa Worsted body is worked flat on straight needles, beginning with a cast-on of 34 stitches. After purling one row, the knitter works the Tuck Stitch pattern for 29 inches, maintaining the pattern repeat across the width. Once the desired length is achieved, a knit row is worked before binding off all stitches. The cast-on and bind-off edges are then sewn together to create