Biased stripes

Biased Stripes Cowl by Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen

What Is Being Made

The Biased Stripes is a knitted cowl designed as an intermediate-level project. This is a seamless, wearable accessory created by working a flat rectangular piece that is then grafted together at the ends. The finished cowl features diagonal stripes that run across the fabric, creating a visually striking slanted pattern effect.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cowl is worked flat on the bias, meaning the fabric is constructed at an angle rather than in the traditional vertical or horizontal direction. The bias construction is achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked on every second row, which creates the characteristic slanting stripe appearance as the fabric grows diagonally.

The two ends of the flat-worked piece are then grafted together using Kitchener stitch, a seamless joining technique that creates an invisible seam. This grafting method results in a polished, professional finish with no visible seam line running around the cowl. The design requires minimal weaving in of yarn ends, making finishing work straightforward and efficient.

Color changes are managed by carrying the inactive yarn up along the side of the work, where it is cleverly concealed within the i-cord edging. Illustrated step-by-step directions are provided on page 3 of the pattern to guide knitters through the color change process and managing the resting yarn while working stripes.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – the primary stitch used throughout the cowl body, creating a textured, reversible fabric
• I-cord edging – applied to the edges for a refined, finished appearance and to conceal the carried yarn
• Kitchener stitch – used for grafting the two ends together seamlessly
• Increases and decreases – worked every second row to create the bias and stripe effect

Materials and Specifications

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm circular needles are required for this project.

Yarn: Two colors of DK weight yarn are needed. The total yardage requirement is approximately 225 yards per 100 grams. The designer used exactly 160 yards (146 meters) of Squoosh Ultra DK in the Raven colorway for the main color (MC), indicating that a single skein of DK weight yarn is sufficient for completion.

Notions: Additional materials include waste yarn for a provisional cast on, and a darning needle for grafting and weaving in ends.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle techniques such as working on the bias, managing color changes, and executing Kitchener stitch grafting.