Valley Yarns January Morning Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns January Morning Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns January Morning Cowl is a warm, snuggly neck cowl designed by Melissa Metzbower to provide comfort and style during cold winter mornings. This finished cowl measures 26 inches around by 9 inches wide, making it a substantial neckwear piece that offers windproof protection. The design features a distinctive button tab detail that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes—it helps keep hair neat and tidy while adding a polished, finished look when worn with a favorite coat.

Techniques Used

This advanced beginner knitting project employs several intermediate techniques to create its structure and functionality. The cowl is worked in the round, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for neckwear. The pattern incorporates buttonhole construction to secure the decorative button tab, with the designer noting that a tulip buttonhole is an excellent choice for this project as it provides a sturdy closure suitable for larger buttons. The pattern also includes button attachment as a finishing detail. Additional shaping techniques include increases (make 1 stitch and knit 1 front and back) and decreases (knit 2 together) to shape the button band tab, along with braiding sections of the cowl together during the finishing process.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch worked in the round, which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric for the main cowl body
• Garter stitch worked flat, used for the button band tab to create a textured, reversible fabric
• Knit 1 front and back (k1fb) for increases in the button band tab
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) for decreases
• Make 1 stitch (m1) for additional increases
• Bind off to secure stitches at the completion of the project

Materials and Tools

This project requires 4 skeins of Valley Yarns Valley Colrain yarn in the Light Gray Heather colorway. Valley Colrain is a blend of 50% Merino Wool and 50% Tencel, offering a combination of warmth and breathability in a 50-gram skein with 109 yards of yardage. The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.00mm) double pointed needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include one large button for the tab closure, a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, and stuffing for the button band tab. For those choosing to work a tulip buttonhole variation, additional tools are recommended: a double pointed needle 2–3 sizes smaller than the gauge needles and a size G/6 (4.25mm) crochet hook or similar size.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project to reach the finished measurements. The pattern specifies 5.5 stitches and 6 rounds equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch worked in the round, and 5 stitches and 8 rows equal 1 inch in garter stitch worked flat. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their needle size produces the correct gauge.