Twist Collective Ninfa Cowl Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Ninfa Cowl by Carolyn Macpherson

What Is Being Made

Ninfa is a luxurious knitted cowl designed to be worn around the neck for warmth and style. This seamless, circular cowl measures 28 inches in circumference and 10 inches in depth, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various seasons and occasions. The design combines multiple stitch techniques to create visual interest and texture throughout the finished garment.

Construction Method

This cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming. Knitters begin by casting on 126 stitches and joining to work circularly, then follow a structured pattern sequence: Rounds 1–8 are worked twice, followed by Rounds 17–29 once, Rounds 30–37 three times, and finally Rounds 54–64 once. The pattern concludes with a decorative picot edge bind-off, which creates a delicate, finished edge with small loops along the top of the cowl.

Techniques Used

• Cable work: The pattern features cable stitches (C4B and C4F), which create twisted rope-like textures that add dimension and visual appeal to the cowl
• Lace: Simple lace elements are incorporated through yarn overs and decreases, creating openwork sections that provide breathability and an elegant aesthetic
• Bobbles: Small bobbles are worked using the Make Bobble (MB) technique, adding three-dimensional texture and tactile interest to the design
• Seamless construction: Working in the round eliminates seams, resulting in a smooth, professional finish

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cowl utilizes a variety of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches. The stitch guide includes knit stitches worked through the back loop (K1 tbl), yarn overs (yo) for lace creation, and decreases including slip-slip-knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) for shaping. The Make Bobble (MB) stitch is executed by working [K1, yo, k1] into a single stitch, then turning and purling, turning again, slipping stitches, and passing slipped stitches over to create a raised bobble texture. The pattern is presented in both written instructions and chart format, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the design.

Materials

Ninfa is designed to be worked in luxury yarn: 2 balls of Valley Yarns Mount Holyoke, a 100% cashmere yarn in the colorway #1034 Cloudy Sky. Each ball contains 185 yards (170 meters) and weighs 1¾ ounces (50 grams). The pattern calls for a Size 6 US (4 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length. Additional notions required include stitch markers for tracking the beginning of rounds, a cable needle for managing cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The pattern specifies that 18 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch should measure 4 inches (10 centimeters). The 18-stitch repeat of the Cowl Chart measures approximately 4 inches wide. Knitters are advised to check gauge before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to ensure accurate sizing and proper drape of the finished cowl.

Finishing

After completing all pattern rounds, knitters work one additional knit round before binding off. The picot bind-off is executed using the knitted method: cast on 2 stitches, bind off 4 stitches, and place the last stitch back onto the left needle, repeating this sequence until all stitches are bound off. This creates a decorative scalloped edge. The cowl is then finished by weaving in all ends and blocking to the specified finished measurements of 28 inches circumference and 10 inches depth, which helps set the stitches and ensures even fabric texture.