Nacre Cowl in Berroco Folio

Nacre Cowl in Berroco Folio

What Is Being Made

The Nacre Cowl is a knitted neck accessory designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This cowl measures approximately 32 inches around the circumference and 9 inches wide at its widest point, making it a substantial, wearable piece suitable for layering or as a statement accessory. The finished dimensions provide comfortable coverage for the neck and upper shoulder area.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques combined with beadwork embellishment. The primary construction method uses stockinette stitch as the foundation fabric, which creates a smooth, refined surface ideal for showcasing the beaded details. Beads are incorporated into the finished cowl using a large-eyed sewing needle and glass seed beads with large holes, allowing for decorative embellishment after the knitting is complete. This two-stage approach—knitting first, then beading—makes the design accessible to knitters of varying skill levels.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch throughout the cowl, creating the smooth, classic knit fabric base
• Stitch Marker – Used to track pattern repeats and construction points during knitting

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Nacre Cowl is worked in Berroco Folio, a yarn from Berroco, Inc. Only one ball of yarn is required for completion, with the specific colorway being #4548 Monhegan. Berroco Folio is a 50-gram ball weight yarn, making this an efficient project in terms of yardage and material investment.

Knitting needles required are size 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, emphasizing that checking gauge before beginning is essential to achieving the correct finished measurements.

Beading materials include 300 glass seed beads with large holes and a large-eyed sewing needle that can accommodate the bead openings. These beads add visual interest and texture to the finished cowl.

Pattern Notes

This is a free downloadable pattern from Berroco. The straightforward construction, minimal yardage requirement, and single-ball format make it an ideal project for knitters seeking a quick, elegant accessory. The combination of smooth stockinette fabric with glass bead embellishment creates a refined, polished finished piece.