Valley Yarns Knit and Purl Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Knit and Purl Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Knit and Purl Cowl is a seamless, circular cowl designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This finished garment measures 40 inches around and 8 inches tall, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for various seasons depending on yarn choice. The cowl is worked in the round from cast-on to bind-off, creating a tubular fabric with no seams required.

Design Features and Versatility

This pattern is notable for its reversible construction and multiple stitch pattern options. The cowl can be worked in several different textured stitches, allowing knitters to customize their finished piece. The design encourages experimentation with moss stitch, elongated moss stitch, double moss stitch, 2x2 rib, 1x1 rib, basketweave, stockinette, reverse stockinette, and garter stitch. Knitters can also create striped effects by combining different stitch patterns within a single cowl, offering significant creative flexibility for a relatively simple project.

Techniques Used

This cowl employs seamless construction worked in the round, which is a fundamental technique in modern knitting. The pattern requires:

• Casting on stitches and joining in the round without twisting
• Working continuous rounds using circular needles
• Maintaining consistent gauge throughout the project
• Binding off loosely to ensure the cowl retains its elasticity
• Blocking the finished piece for optimal drape and appearance

The seamless, in-the-round construction eliminates the need for seaming and creates a professional finish suitable for a cowl that will be worn close to the face and neck.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern provides detailed instructions for five primary stitch patterns, each creating distinct visual and textural effects:

• 1x1 Rib: A simple alternating knit and purl pattern worked every round, creating vertical lines and elastic fabric
• Moss Stitch: A two-round repeat alternating between knit-purl and purl-knit sequences, creating a subtle checkerboard texture
• Elongated Moss Stitch: An eight-round repeat that extends the moss stitch pattern vertically, creating a more pronounced textured effect
• 2x2 Rib: A bolder ribbed pattern using two knits followed by two purls, creating deeper vertical lines and increased elasticity
• Double Moss: A four-round repeat using two-stitch units of knit and purl, creating a larger checkerboard pattern than standard moss stitch

All stitch patterns are worked in the round, with pattern repeats designed to work seamlessly around the 180-stitch cast-on. The reversible nature of these patterns means the cowl looks finished on both sides, eliminating the distinction between right and wrong sides.

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% merino wool yarn in the color Spice. The project requires 4 skeins, with each skein weighing 50 grams and containing 109 yards of yarn. This yardage total provides approximately 436 yards of working yarn.

Needles required are US size 8 (5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches in length, or whatever size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern notes that needle size may be adjusted based on individual gauge.

The recommended gauge is 4.5 stitches per 1 inch in stockinette stitch or the desired pattern stitch. This gauge is essential for achieving the specified finished dimensions of 40 inches circumference and 8 inches height.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced beginner difficulty. While the basic techniques are straightforward—casting on, joining in the round, and working simple stitch patterns—the project requires competency with circular needle techniques and the ability to maintain consistent tension and pattern repeats over multiple rounds. The seamless construction and stitch pattern options provide an excellent opportunity for knitters to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette stitch while working on a relatively quick, wearable project.

Project Format

The Valley Yarns Knit and Purl Cowl is available as a