Songket

Songket Cowl by Bristol Ivy

What Is Being Made

The Songket is a knitted cowl inspired by the traditional brocade fabric handwoven in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This downloadable knitting pattern offers two finished sizes and two yarn weight options, allowing crafters to customize their project based on preference and available materials. The cowl features a sophisticated construction that combines slipped-stitch and cable techniques to create visual texture reminiscent of the ornate songket textile tradition.

Design Options and Finished Measurements

The Songket pattern provides flexibility with two distinct size options:

• Worsted Weight Version: Available in short (23 1/4" circumference, 10" depth) and long (46 1/2" circumference, 10" depth) sizes
• Bulky Weight Version: Available in short (24" circumference, 9" depth) and long (48" circumference, 9" depth) sizes

This range of sizes accommodates different body types and styling preferences, from a fitted neck cowl to a generous wrap-style garment.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Songket employs two primary stitch techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Slipped Stitches: These create subtle texture and visual interest by carrying yarn across stitches without knitting into them, producing a refined, fabric-like surface
• Cable Stitches: Cables add dimensional depth and structure to the cowl, creating the textured patterns that echo the complexity of traditional songket weaving

The combination of these techniques produces a cowl with both visual sophistication and comfortable drape, suitable for intermediate knitters seeking to expand their technical skills.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern accommodates two distinct yarn weights, each with specific fiber content and yardage requirements:

• Worsted Weight Option: Haymarket by Lorna's Laces (100% Blue-Faced Leicester wool; 215 yards per 100g). Crafters should purchase 1 skein for the short size or 2 skeins for the long size, totaling 215 yards (short) or 430 yards (long). The sample shown used nearly two full skeins for the short size, so an additional skein is recommended for security
• Bulky Weight Option: Cotton Candy by Knitted Wit (100% merino wool; 140 yards per 250g). This option requires 1 skein for the short size or 2 skeins for the long size, totaling 90 yards (short) or 180 yards (long)

Both yarns feature premium natural fibers—Blue-Faced Leicester and merino wool respectively—ensuring softness, elasticity, and lasting durability against the skin.

Needles and Tools

The pattern specifies circular needles appropriate to each yarn weight:

• Worsted Weight: One 16" or 32" circular needle in US size 7 (4.5 mm)
• Bulky Weight: One 16" or 32" circular needle in US size 17 (12.75 mm), plus one 16" or 32" circular needle in US size 15 (10 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

The choice between 16" and 32" needles depends on the cowl size selected; smaller circumferences work best on shorter needles, while longer circumferences benefit from longer needles to accommodate all stitches comfortably.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner-friendly pattern, the Songket remains accessible to knitters new to cowl construction while introducing fundamental cable and slipped-stitch techniques. The straightforward construction in the round on circular needles makes this an excellent project for building confidence with intermediate stitch patterns.

Pattern Details

This is a downloadable PDF pattern designed by Bristol Ivy, an independent designer. The pattern is copyright Bristol Ivy 2014, all rights reserved.