Valley Yarns Aguna Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Aguna Cowl Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Aguna is a luxurious cowl designed by Susan Baron, featuring a finished circumference of 21 inches and approximately 5 inches in height. This one-size cowl showcases a stunning undulating design created through the use of German Short Rows, resulting in a hypnotizing visual effect that is both elegant and dynamic. The pattern is ideal for crafters looking to explore short row techniques while creating a wearable, sophisticated accessory.

Techniques Used

The Aguna employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• German Short Rows: The primary technique that creates the cowl's signature undulating design. Short rows are strategically worked on specific rows (Rows 4 and 10) to create offset segments that nest into each other when the piece is completed.
• Flat Knitting: The cowl is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for precise control over the short row sections.
• Seaming: After the flat piece is completed, it is seamed together to form the finished cowl. The pattern includes garter ridges between short row stockinette sections to provide visual interest and structural definition.
• Double Stitch (DS) Technique: Used in conjunction with short rows, the double stitch must be pulled firmly on the yarn carried over the needle to ensure it remains taut. Both strands of the double stitch are worked together on subsequent rows where they are encountered.
• Selvage Edge Creation: The first and last stitch of each row is knit to create a clean selvage edge that facilitates seamless seaming.
• Stranded Colorwork: The pattern incorporates two colors of yarn, which are carried loosely along the side of the work without breaking. Colors are twisted together at the beginning of right-side rows to maintain tension and prevent loose floats.

Stitches Used

The Aguna pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used in the short row sections, creating a smooth, refined fabric base. The gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the ridges between short row sections, adding textural contrast and visual definition to the cowl's design.
• Double Stitch: A specialty stitch created during short row turns, requiring careful tension management to ensure the stitch remains taut and properly integrated into subsequent rows.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Aguna pattern calls for Valley Yarns Hampden, a premium blend yarn that contributes significantly to the cowl's luxurious feel and drape:

• Main Color (MC): 1 hank of Valley Yarns Hampden in Color #13 - Blue (50g/95 yards)
• Contrast Color (CC): 1 hank of Valley Yarns Hampden in Color #08 - Dusty Rose (50g/95 yards)
• Fiber Content: Valley Yarns Hampden is composed of 50% Baby Alpaca, 35% Fine Merino Wool, and 15% Mulberry Silk, creating an irresistibly soft and sumptuous fabric with excellent drape and breathability.
• Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) 16-inch circular needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge
• Additional Materials: Stitch marker for tracking pattern progress, and a tapestry needle for seaming the completed flat piece and weaving in yarn ends

Difficulty Level and Construction Notes

Classified as Adventurous Beginner, the Aguna pattern is designed for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore more advanced shaping methods. The pattern includes important construction notes: when turning for short rows, there is no need to wrap stitches or create a double stitch wrap—simply turn the piece and begin working in the opposite direction. The Old Norwegian Cast-On or another stretchy cast-on method is recommended for the initial 102 stitches, ensuring the cowl maintains adequate elasticity for comfortable wear. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a sophisticated cowl that demonstrates the transformative power of German Short Rows in knitted design.