Wallenda Cowl Knitting Pattern

Wallenda Cowl in Berroco Spree

What is Being Made

The Wallenda is a knitted cowl designed by Mel Kennelly, offering a sophisticated neckwear accessory with finished measurements of approximately 21 inches around and 16 inches down the center front to point. This intermediate-level project creates a versatile piece suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Construction Method

The Wallenda cowl is constructed using a unique two-phase approach. The piece begins worked flat in rows from the bottom up to the back neck, then transitions to circular construction where it is joined at the back neck and worked in the round to completion. This hybrid construction method allows for shaping at the front while maintaining consistent stitch patterns around the body of the cowl.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate project employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance:

• Lace Pattern: The cowl features an integrated lace pattern worked throughout, created using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork sections
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used extensively to create the lace design and add decorative eyelet details
• Slip, Slip, Slip, Knit (SSSK) Decreases: A triple decrease that slants left and creates dramatic shaping within the lace pattern
• Right Leaning Increase (RLI) and Left Leaning Increase (LLI): Directional increases used to shape the cowl symmetrically during the flat construction phase
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational stitch used in conjunction with the lace pattern
• Knit and Purl Stitches: Basic stitches that form the base of the construction

Yarn and Materials

The Wallenda cowl is designed to be worked in Berroco Spree, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. This pattern calls for 2 balls of color #94120 Pine, providing sufficient yardage for the complete project. The yarn weight and fiber content of Berroco Spree are selected to achieve the specified gauge and create the intended drape and texture of the finished cowl.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires a 16-inch circular needle in size 4 (3.5 mm) or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. A crochet hook in size E (3.5 mm) is also listed among the notions, likely for finishing details or provisional cast-on techniques. One stitch marker is needed to track the beginning of rounds during the circular knitting phase.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch and Lace Pattern, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements, and the pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate results. Blocking is a required finishing step to achieve the stated measurements and allow the lace pattern to open properly.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate, the Wallenda cowl is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace patterns, directional decreases, and the transition between flat and circular knitting. The combination of techniques and the precision required for lace work make this a suitable project for advancing knitters.