Valley Yarns Icebow Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Icebow Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Icebow is a luxury cowl designed by Susan Baron, crafted from premium Valley Yarns 100% cashmere Hitchcock yarn. This finished piece measures 21 inches in circumference and 6 inches in height, making it a versatile neckwear accessory suitable for layering or gifting. The cowl features a sophisticated two-color striped design that combines a main color with a contrasting color to create visual interest and allow customization based on personal color preferences.

Techniques Used

The Icebow is constructed using several key knitting techniques that contribute to its polished appearance and seamless construction:

• Worked in the Round: This cowl is knit circularly using a 16-inch circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous, seamless fabric.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The cowl is worked from the bottom edge upward to the finished height, allowing you to try on the piece as you progress.
• Striping: The pattern incorporates two contrasting colors of cashmere yarn that work together to create visual texture and depth throughout the design.
• Right-Leaning Twists: The primary stitch pattern features 1/1 right twists (RT), a decorative technique where stitches are crossed to create a distinguished, textured appearance. This twist stitch is worked by knitting into the front of the second stitch on the left-hand needle, then knitting into the front of the first stitch before sliding both stitches off the needle.

Stitches Used

The Icebow pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative techniques:

• Knit Stitch (K): The basic foundation stitch used throughout the pattern.
• 1/1 Right Twist (1/1 RT): A crossed stitch technique that creates the distinguished texture of the cowl. This stitch involves working with both the main color and contrast color to build the striped effect.
• Purl Stitch (P): Used in the M1p (make one purl) increase technique for shaping.
• Purl 2 Together (P2tog): A decrease stitch used to shape the fabric as needed.
• Make One Purl (M1p): An increase technique that lifts the strand between stitches from front to back, creating a new purl stitch.

Materials and Tools

The Icebow requires luxury materials and specific tools to achieve its refined finished product:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Hitchcock, 100% cashmere, in two colors. The main color requires 1 ball (50g/109 yards) in Light Grey, and the contrast color requires 1 ball (50g/109 yards) in Plum. The cashmere fiber provides exceptional softness and warmth, making this cowl a true luxury accessory.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 16-inch circular needle, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge.
• Additional Materials: One stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is written for one size with finished measurements of 21 inches in circumference and 6 inches in height. The gauge is 23 stitches and 28 rounds equal 4 inches when worked in pattern stitch and blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and drape of the finished cowl.

Skill Level

Rated as Adventurous Beginner, the Icebow is suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle decorative stitch techniques. The easy-to-memorize four-round repeat stitch pattern allows knitters to work without constantly consulting the instructions, making it an accessible project for building confidence with more advanced techniques. The seamless, in-the-round construction combined with twist stitches provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills in circular knitting and decorative stitch work.