Cheshire

Cheshire Cowl by Melissa Schaschwary

What is Being Made

The Cheshire is a knitted cowl designed by Melissa Schaschwary. This project creates a circular neckwear piece measuring approximately 16 inches in circumference, ideal for layering and providing warmth around the neck and shoulders. The finished cowl is worked in the round using bulky weight yarn for a quick, satisfying knitting project.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate difficulty level. The cowl is constructed using circular needles and worked in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming. The primary technique featured in this design is cable knitting, a classic method that creates raised, twisted rope-like textures across the fabric. Cables add visual interest and dimension to the cowl while maintaining structural integrity in the bulky yarn weight.

Stitches Used

The Cheshire pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with cable work:

• Knit stitch (K): The basic stitch forming the foundation of stockinette sections
• Purl stitch (P): Used to create reverse stockinette ribs that frame the cable panels
• Cable 6 front (C6f): The signature stitch of this design, created by placing 6 stitches on a cable needle, holding them to the front of the work, knitting the next 6 stitches, then knitting the stitches from the cable needle. This creates the characteristic twisted cable texture
• Cast on and bind off: The long tail cast on method begins the project, while a loose bind off finishes the edge

Materials and Gauge

The Cheshire requires 140 yards of bulky weight yarn, making it an efficient project that works up quickly. Needles needed include US size 13 circular needles measuring 16 inches for working in the round, plus a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable rows. Additional notions include a stitch marker to denote the beginning of rounds and a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 3 stitches and 4 rows per one inch over stockinette stitch in the cable pattern. Maintaining this gauge is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions and drape of the cowl.

Pattern Structure

The Cheshire follows a 12-row repeat pattern worked over 70 cast-on stitches. The design alternates between stockinette and reverse stockinette sections, with cable twists introduced every 12 rows. The pattern repeat is worked multiple times to build the desired length and visual impact of the cable panels around the cowl. The finished piece is bound off loosely to maintain elasticity at the edge.