Valley Yarns Kings Canyon Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Kings Canyon Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Kings Canyon is a wide, two-color striped cowl designed by Julie Turjoman that measures 44 inches by 9½ inches when finished. This versatile neckwear piece drapes generously and doubles around the neck, offering flexible styling options—it can rest over the shoulders or be wrapped around the neck depending on personal preference. The cowl's generous width and beautiful drape make it a statement accessory suitable for layering over various outfits.

Techniques Used

This cowl is worked seamlessly in the round using the bottom-up construction method, meaning you begin at the lower edge and work upward to the top edge. The design features a two-color striped pattern that alternates between two distinct stitch patterns throughout the body. The pattern employs a strategic approach to color changes: yarn is broken between stripes to avoid creating vertical floats (loose strands running up the inside of the fabric), which helps maintain a clean interior finish. The cowl begins and ends with ribbed hems worked in K1/P1 Rib, which provides structure and helps the edges maintain their shape. An elastic bind-off technique is used to finish the top edge, ensuring the bind-off remains stretchy and comfortable against the neck.

Stitches Used

• K1/P1 Rib: Used for both the bottom and top hems (1 inch each), this classic ribbed stitch creates vertical columns of knits and purls that provide elasticity and a finished appearance
• Double Moss Stitch: This textured stitch pattern is worked over 2-inch sections and alternates with the mesh pattern, creating visual interest and adding depth to the fabric
• Mesh Stitch: Worked over 8-round sections, this open stitch pattern provides an airy, lacy quality that contrasts with the denser Double Moss sections
• Garter Stitch (Knit rounds): Single knit rounds separate color changes and stitch pattern transitions

Materials and Yarn

The Kings Canyon cowl requires two complementary Valley Yarns products. The main color (MC) uses 1 hank of Valley Yarns Huntington Splash in Black Sea (color 10), which provides 436 yards from a 100-gram hank. The contrast color (CC) uses 1 hank of Valley Yarns Huntington in Sunset (color 0032), which provides 218 yards from a 50-gram hank. Both yarns are composed of 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon, offering a blend that combines the softness and breathability of merino with the durability and elasticity of nylon. The Huntington Splash yarn features variegated coloring that adds natural texture and visual interest, while the solid Huntington yarn provides pops of contrasting color in the narrow mesh bands.

The project is worked on US 6 (4.00mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length, which are appropriately sized for the 240 cast-on stitches. The larger-than-normal needle size relative to the yarn weight creates the beautiful drape characteristic of this design. Additional materials include a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when measured in Double Moss stitch and blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions of 44 inches by 9½ inches. The pattern is rated as Advanced Beginner skill level, indicating it is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with circular needles and multiple stitch patterns.