Sorrel Cowl in Valley Yarns Wachusett - 932 - Downloadable PDF

Sorrel Cowl – Stranded Colorwork Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman (Valley Yarns Wachusett)

The Sorrel Cowl, pattern number 932, is a striking two-color knitted cowl designed by Julie Turjoman and worked in Valley Yarns Wachusett, a luxurious wool and cashmere blend yarn. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is an excellent choice for knitters who want to explore or refine their stranded colorwork skills while producing a beautiful, wearable accessory. The finished cowl measures 9.5 inches tall with a 22.5-inch circumference, making it a generously sized neckwarmer that sits comfortably and elegantly.

What Is Being Made

The Sorrel Cowl is a seamless, circular cowl featuring a bold geometric two-color pattern. Its graphic design creates a visually impactful accessory that works equally well as an everyday piece or a thoughtful handmade gift. Because it is knitted in one piece with no seaming required, the construction is straightforward, and the finished object has a clean, polished look. The one-size design measures 9.5 inches in height and 22.5 inches around, offering a comfortable fit for most adults.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colorwork: The primary technique in this pattern, stranded colorwork (sometimes called Fair Isle-style knitting) involves carrying two colors of yarn across each round, knitting with one color at a time while the other floats loosely along the wrong side of the fabric. This creates the bold geometric motif that defines the Sorrel Cowl's appearance. Working stranded colorwork in the round is considered more intuitive than working it flat, as the right side of the fabric always faces the knitter.
• Worked in the round: The cowl is knitted as a single seamless tube using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming and keeps the right side consistently facing outward — a significant advantage when working colorwork patterns.
• Stretchy cast-on: The pattern specifically calls for a stretchy cast-on method using Color A, ensuring the lower edge of the cowl has the flexibility needed for comfortable wear.
• Bind off: A standard bind-off is used to finish the upper edge of the cowl.

Stitches Used

• Stranded colorwork pattern stitches: The body of the cowl is worked in a repeating geometric colorwork motif using both Color A and Color B, creating the signature graphic design.
• Knit stitches in the round: As is typical for stranded colorwork worked in the round, the majority of the fabric is produced using knit stitches, allowing the pattern to be read consistently from the right side.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Wachusett, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere, available in 50g skeins with approximately 163 yards each. Two colors are used:

• Color A: Valley Yarns Wachusett in colorway 100002 Cream — 1 skein
• Color B: Valley Yarns Wachusett in colorway 200153 Charcoal — 1 skein

The Cream and Charcoal pairing creates a classic, high-contrast look that makes the geometric motif crisp and graphic. The Merino and cashmere blend gives the finished cowl exceptional softness and a subtle sheen, making it feel as luxurious as it looks. Worsted weight yarn also contributes to the relatively quick knit time, making this an achievable project even for knitters newer to colorwork.

Materials – Needles and Notions

• Needles: US size 7 (4.50 mm) 16-inch circular needles, or the size needed to achieve gauge
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rounds = 4 inches in stranded colorwork pattern, blocked
• Notions: Stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing