Pathway Cowl

Pathway Cowl by Kristin Jones

Project Overview

The Pathway Cowl is a knitted cowl designed by Kristin Jones that knits up quickly in super chunky yarn. This project is an excellent introduction to lace knitting for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic techniques. The cowl is constructed from the bottom up and offers flexibility with instructions for both short and long versions to suit different preferences and styling needs.

What Is Being Made

This is a circular cowl—a tubular neckwear accessory that pulls over the head and drapes around the neck. The pattern provides two size options: a shorter 7 inches (18 cm) tall version with a 32-inch (81 cm) circumference, and a longer version with a 51.5-inch (131 cm) circumference. The finished piece shown in the pattern photos displays the short size option.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Pathway Cowl incorporates lace knitting as its primary technique, making it ideal for knitters new to openwork patterns. The lace pattern is created through a repeating motif worked over seven rounds that combines several fundamental lace stitches:

• Yarn overs (YO) — These create the characteristic eyelets and open spaces that define lace knitting
• Knit two together (k2tog) — A right-leaning decrease used to balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — A left-leaning decrease that appears in the final round of the pattern repeat
• Knit (K) and purl (P) stitches — Used in the setup rounds and throughout the pattern for structure

The pattern is worked in the round using circular or double-pointed needles, beginning with a foundation of stitches that are increased through yarn overs in the lace rounds. The seven-round repeat creates a diagonal visual effect as the decreases and yarn overs shift position in each successive round, producing the "pathway" motif that gives the cowl its name.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Pathway Cowl requires The Woven yarn, a 100% wool fiber. Depending on which size you choose, you will need either 1 skein (for the short cowl) or 2 skeins (for the long cowl). Each skein weighs 200 grams and contains 87 yards. The yarn is worked in the Silver colorway as shown in the pattern.

Needles: This project calls for US 17 (12.0mm) needles in either double-pointed or circular format. The larger needle size is appropriate for the super chunky yarn weight and creates the fabric drape necessary for a cowl. Needles may be adjusted up or down as needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Additional Notions: You will need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors for cutting yarn, and stitch marker(s) to track your place in the circular rounds.

Skill Level

The pattern is rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty. While this project is described as a great introduction to lace knitting, it assumes you are comfortable with basic knitting techniques including working in the round, reading pattern instructions, and executing fundamental decreases and yarn overs. The super chunky yarn and large needles make stitches easy to see and correct, which supports the learning process for lace techniques.