Valley Yarns Blue Quartz Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Blue Quartz Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Blue Quartz Cowl is a knitted cowl and shoulder warmer designed by Fatimah Hinds. This versatile accessory features finished measurements of 18 inches by 50 inches, making it suitable for wearing as either a traditional cowl or a shoulder warmer. The design is intentionally adjustable, allowing knitters to customize the finished size by modifying stitch counts or row repeats to create a wider cowl or extend it to a shawl-sized piece.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Cables: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, specifically a 2/1 Left Cross (2/1 LC) cable technique that adds dimensional texture throughout the design
• Lace: Lace motifs are integrated through yarn overs and corresponding decreases, creating an openwork element that contrasts with the solid cable sections
• Worked Flat: The cowl is knit from end to end in flat rows rather than in the round, then seamed along the cast-on and bound-off edges to form the finished shape
• Seaming: The construction method requires seaming the two short ends together after the flat piece is completed and blocked

Stitches Used

The Blue Quartz Cowl pattern utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches worked in combination:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• Knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases are used to shape the lace sections and balance yarn overs
• Yarn overs (yo) create the openwork lace elements throughout the design
• Cable stitches, specifically the 2/1 Left Cross (2/1 LC), are executed by slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them in front, knitting the next stitch, then knitting the slipped stitches from the cable needle
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (s1-k2tog-psso) is used for centered decreases

Materials and Specifications

The Valley Yarns Blue Quartz Cowl is designed to be knitted with specific materials that contribute to its drape and finished appearance:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky in the color Caribbean Blue. This yarn is composed of 85% wool and 15% alpaca, providing warmth and softness. Four skeins are required, with each skein weighing 100 grams and containing 108 yards of yardage
• Needles: US size 11 (8.00mm) needles or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. The needles are used to work the pattern flat
• Additional Materials: Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and maintaining proper stitch placement, and a cable needle is required for executing the cable stitches

Gauge and Pattern Repeats

Achieving proper gauge ensures the finished piece meets the intended measurements. The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches when worked in the charted stitch pattern. One complete chart repeat, which consists of 29 stitches, measures 5.5 inches in width. The pattern is worked by repeating Rows 1 through 28 of the chart a total of 7 times to reach the finished length of 50 inches. However, the designer notes that gauge is not particularly critical for this piece, as the cowl can be easily customized by casting on additional stitches in multiples of 12 to increase width, or by continuing to work the chart beyond the standard repeats to achieve a longer, shawl-sized finished piece.

Construction and Finishing

The cowl begins with casting on 47 stitches and working the charted stitch pattern in flat rows. After completing all chart repeats, stitches are bound off loosely to maintain flexibility at the edge. The piece is then blocked to the specified measurements to even out the stitches and set the pattern. Finally, the cast-on and bound-off edges are seamed together, and all yarn ends are woven in to complete the finished cowl.