Valley Yarns Candle of Glory Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Candle of Glory Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Candle of Glory Cowl is a circular knit accessory designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This seamless cowl measures 40 inches around and 11 inches wide, making it a substantial neckwear piece suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory. The finished cowl features a distinctive saffron yellow colorway that creates visual impact when worn.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that elevate it beyond a basic project. The garment is worked in the round on circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, professional finish. The bottom-up construction method begins with a cast-on at the lower edge and progresses upward to the finished height. The design incorporates lace patterning throughout the body, which creates openwork sections and decorative texture. The lace elements are balanced with solid knit sections to maintain structural integrity while showcasing the intricate stitch work.

Stitches Used

The Candle of Glory Cowl employs a range of knitting stitches to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches: Form the foundation of the ribbed edgings and solid sections
• Knit through the back (k1b): Creates twisted stitches used in the ribbed borders for a refined edge
• Yarn overs (yo): Generate the openwork and lace characteristics throughout the pattern
• Decreases: Including knit 2 together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), and slip-1-knit-2-together-pass-slipped-stitch-over (sl1-k2tog-psso) create the shaping and lace definition
• Make 7 stitches in one (m7 sts in one): A special stitch technique that creates dramatic increases by working multiple yarn overs and knits into a single stitch, producing 7 new stitches from one. This uncommon stitch is central to the pattern's distinctive crown-like texture

Pattern Structure

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 182 stitches joined in the round. A 1-inch ribbed edging using knit-through-the-back and purl stitches creates a stable, refined lower border. The main body features the Crown of Glory lace pattern, a 12-round repeat that alternates between solid knit rounds and complex lace rounds incorporating the special m7 stitch, yarn overs, and strategic decreases. This pattern repeat is worked for approximately 9 inches or to the desired length. The cowl concludes with another ribbed edging that mirrors the beginning, providing a finished upper edge.

Materials

The Candle of Glory Cowl is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Southwick, a blend of 52% Pima Cotton and 48% Bamboo. The project requires 4 skeins, each containing 50 grams and 105 yards, for a total yardage of approximately 420 yards. The yarn is worked on US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length. The recommended gauge is approximately 4.5 stitches and 6.5 rows per inch when worked in the Candle of Glory lace pattern.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced beginner, indicating it is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more complex stitch work. The combination of lace patterning, the special m7 stitch, and multiple decrease variations requires attention to detail and pattern reading skills. Knitters should be comfortable working in the round on circular needles and managing multiple stitch manipulations within a single round.