Valley Yarns Makena Beach Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Makena Beach Cowl

What is Being Made

The Makena Beach Cowl is a double-wrap cowl designed by Julie Turjoman. This accessory measures 60 inches in circumference and 6 inches in width, making it a versatile neckwear piece that can be wrapped twice around the neck for added warmth and style. The cowl showcases the versatility of Valley Yarns Huntington yarn, a fiber traditionally known for sock knitting but equally suited to other accessories.

Techniques Used

This cowl is worked flat on circular needles and then seamed together to create the finished tube. The construction method allows knitters to work the piece in a manageable flat format before joining the ends. The pattern features slip-stitch colorwork, a technique that creates intricate color patterns without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. Slip-stitch colorwork is an excellent method for beginners interested in adding visual interest to their projects, as it involves slipping stitches rather than carrying multiple yarn colors across rows.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Makena Beach Cowl incorporates two complementary slip-stitch colorwork patterns:

• Sandpiper Pattern: This pattern features slip stitches worked with yarn in front (wyif) and yarn in back (wyib) to create a textured colorwork design. The Sandpiper pattern is worked over a multiple of stitches and produces a gauge of 26 stitches and 48 rows over 4 inches when blocked.
• Bubble Wrap Pattern: A second slip-stitch colorwork pattern that works over a multiple of 3 stitches with 18 rows plus 2 set-up rows. This pattern achieves a gauge of 17 stitches and 56 rows over 4 inches when blocked. The Bubble Wrap pattern includes techniques such as k1 below, where knitters knit into the stitch one row below to create dimensional texture.

Additional stitches used throughout the pattern include basic knit and purl stitches, as well as decreases such as knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) for shaping. Stitch markers are used to help track pattern repeats and maintain consistency across the work.

Materials

The Makena Beach Cowl is constructed using Valley Yarns Huntington, a yarn composed of 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon. This fiber blend provides softness, durability, and easy-care properties ideal for everyday wear accessories. The pattern calls for three coordinating colors of Huntington yarn:

• Color A: 4921 (Blue) – 1 skein, 50g/218 yards
• Color B: 37 (Lemon Grass) – 1 skein, 50g/218 yards
• Color C: 22 (Navy) – 1 skein, 50g/218 yards

Needles required include a US 4 (3.50 mm) 24-inch circular needle for the main fabric and a US 2 (2.75 mm) 24-inch circular needle for ribbing or edging. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for seaming the finished pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to colorwork. The slip-stitch colorwork technique simplifies the process of working with multiple colors compared to stranded colorwork, while the flat construction and straightforward seaming provide a manageable introduction to garment assembly.