Knitwords Cowl

Knitwords Cowl by Cori Eichelberger

What is Being Made

The Knitwords Cowl is a wearable neck accessory designed by Cori Eichelberger of Irocknits Designs. This cowl features stacked stitches that form words as you knit, creating a unique textual design element. Available in two sizes—Short and Long—the finished cowl measures 8.25 inches tall by 28 inches circumference (Short) or 39 inches circumference (Long) when wet blocked and stretched. The cowl is versatile enough to wear over shirts, jackets, or even pajamas, making it suitable for everyday wear as well as knitting festivals, retreats, and events. It provides both warmth and style while offering a comfortable fit around the neck.

Knitting Techniques

The Knitwords Cowl is knit completely in the round, which means you'll be working in a continuous circular motion rather than flat rows. This construction method creates a seamless tube that requires no seaming. The pattern's primary technique involves stacking stitches upon one another to form readable words. This approach makes the pattern accessible and straightforward to execute, despite the textual design element. The finished piece is wet blocked and stretched to achieve the specified finished measurements, a standard finishing technique that helps even out the stitches and set the fabric's dimensions.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern excerpt provided, the Knitwords Cowl employs fundamental knitting stitches that stack to create word formations. The stitch selection is designed to be easy to knit, making this an accessible intermediate-level project. The stacking nature of the stitches is what allows the words to emerge naturally as you work in the round.

Materials

• Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted weight yarn (100% wool; 245 yards per 3.5 ounces per skein). One skein each of your chosen colors is required to complete the cowl.
• Needles: US size needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn in circular needle format to accommodate knitting in the round.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Knitwords Cowl is described as the easiest pattern in its eBook collection. This makes it an excellent choice for knitters with some foundational experience who want to expand their skills with a practical, wearable project. The in-the-round construction and word-stacking technique are manageable for intermediate knitters while remaining engaging and visually interesting.