Warren Cowl Knitting Pattern

Warren Cowl in Malabrigo Rasta

What Is Being Made

The Warren Cowl is a two-color knitted cowl designed by Kirsten Kapur. This circular neckwear piece is worked from the bottom up and features a striking slipped-stitch chevron pattern created through the interplay of two contrasting yarn colors. The finished cowl measures 24 inches in circumference and 13 inches in length, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques and Construction

This beginner-friendly cowl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that build essential skills. The garment is constructed in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless knitting and continuous color work. The defining technique is the slipped-stitch chevron pattern, which creates visual texture and geometric interest without requiring complex colorwork methods. Slipped stitches are carried loosely on the wrong side of the work to prevent puckering, a detail that ensures a polished finished appearance.

The pattern is worked over an 18-stitch repeat that cycles through 12 rounds before repeating. Knitters have the flexibility to follow either written row-by-row instructions or a charted pattern, with the chart representing 2 rounds of knitting per single row shown. All stitches in the working color are knitted, while stitches in the opposite color are slipped with yarn held in back, creating the chevron effect through strategic color placement.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch forming the fabric base
• Purl stitch (p) – used in finishing rounds
• Slipped stitch (sl 1 wyib) – slipped with yarn in back, the signature stitch creating the chevron pattern texture
• Bind-off (knitwise) – used to secure the final edge

Materials and Tools

The Warren Cowl is designed to be worked with Malabrigo Rasta yarn, a wool fiber available in 5.3-ounce hanks with approximately 90 yards of yardage per hank. The pattern requires one hank each of two colors: #247 Whale's Road (color A) and #689 Valentina (color B), providing the two-tone contrast essential to the chevron pattern.

Construction requires Size 15 (10mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches long, sized to achieve the specified gauge of 9 stitches and 19 rounds over 4 inches in the chevron pattern when blocked. Additional notions include stitch markers to track pattern repeats and round beginnings. Light steam blocking is recommended to finish the cowl and set the chevron pattern definition.

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated at beginner skill level, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to colorwork and circular knitting. The straightforward stitch vocabulary and repetitive pattern structure allow beginners to develop consistency and rhythm. Achieving the correct gauge of 9 stitches and 19 rounds to 4 inches over the chevron pattern is essential for proper fit and drape, and knitters are encouraged to knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project.