Valley Yarns Tourmaline Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Tourmaline Cowl

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Tourmaline is a long, double-wrap cowl designed by Julie Turjoman. This versatile accessory measures approximately 12 inches wide by 60 inches long, making it suitable for wrapping twice around the neck or draping generously as a single loop. The finished piece is worked in one continuous length, then twisted and seamed at the short ends to create a seamless loop structure.

Design and Construction Techniques

This cowl showcases a sophisticated two-texture design strategy. The piece is worked flat on straight needles and divided into two distinct sections, each featuring a different stitch pattern. The first half features a solid-color lace pattern, while the second half transitions to a color-coordinated slip-stitch colorwork pattern. This combination creates visual interest and texture variation throughout the finished cowl.

The long side selvage edges are finished with garter stitch, which provides a neat, professional edge that frames both textured sections. The construction method involves casting on for the full 30-inch length and working across the 12-inch width, then seaming the short ends together with a twist to form the double-wrap loop. This approach ensures that the lace and colorwork sections flow seamlessly around the cowl.

Stitches Used

• Lace Stitches: The pattern incorporates multiple lace techniques including yarn overs (yo), single decreases (ssk and k2tog), and double decreases (s2kp). The lace rows alternate with purl rows on the wrong side to create an openwork texture with a repeating motif.
• Slip-Stitch Colorwork: The second section uses slip-stitch colorwork, a technique that creates color patterns without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. This method is beginner-friendly while producing striking visual effects.
• Garter Stitch: The selvage edges are worked in garter stitch (knitting every row), which creates a bumpy, textured edge that is both durable and visually distinctive.
• Tweed Stitch Pattern: The gauge is measured over Tweed stitch pattern, indicating this textured stitch is used in the colorwork section.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The Tourmaline cowl is designed to be worked with Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn. The pattern calls for one skein in Color A (26 Raspberry Heather) and two skeins in Color B (20 Eggplant). Each skein contains 100 grams and 247 yards, providing ample yardage for the 60-inch length.

Needles and Tools: The pattern is worked on US 7 (4.50 mm) straight needles, or the size needed to achieve the required gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers (including locking stitch markers for pattern tracking), stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming the short ends together.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Tweed stitch pattern, blocked, using US 7 needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements.

Difficulty Level

The Tourmaline is rated as a beginner-level pattern, making it accessible to knitters new to lace and colorwork techniques. While the pattern includes lace decreases and slip-stitch colorwork, the straightforward flat construction and clear stitch abbreviations support knitters developing their skills in these techniques.