1204 Vela - Cowl Knitting Pattern for Men and Women in Valley Yarns Granville

1204 Vela Cowl Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman – Three-Color Slip-Stitch Colorwork in Valley Yarns Granville

About This Pattern

The 1204 Vela is a beautifully shaped, three-color cowl designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. Rated as Adventurous Beginner — equivalent to an advanced beginner level — this pattern is an ideal next step for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore colorwork in a manageable, rewarding project. The cowl is knitted as a single one-size design, making it a versatile accessory for both men and women.

What Is Being Made

The Vela is a shaped, seamless cowl that drapes gracefully onto the chest while fitting more closely at the neck. Its tapered silhouette is achieved through decrease shaping that narrows the piece from the hem upward. The finished measurements are:

• Height: 11 inches
• Top circumference: 20 inches
• Hem circumference: 26 inches

The result is a cowl that offers both comfort and classic style, functioning as a cozy neckline accessory on a blustery day while remaining an elegant, polished finishing touch to any outfit.

Construction Techniques

The Vela is worked entirely in the round on circular needles, from the bottom up, making it completely seamless. This construction method means there are no seams to sew at the end, and the right side of the fabric faces the knitter throughout, making it easy to follow the colorwork patterns visually.

The cowl begins with a Long-Tail Cast-On of 168 stitches using Color B. The hem edge is created by purling three rounds in Color A to form a reverse stockinette rolled edge that curls neatly toward the wrong side of the piece. Decrease shaping is then worked progressively to narrow the circumference from hem to neck.

Unused yarn colors are carried up the wrong side of the work, with strands twisted at the beginning of each round to prevent gaps or holes — a clean and efficient approach to managing multiple colors in circular colorwork.

Colorwork and Stripe Techniques

The defining feature of the Vela is its slip-stitch colorwork, worked across three distinct pattern sections using three colors. Slip-stitch colorwork is a beginner-friendly approach to multicolor knitting because only one color is ever worked per row or round — stitches from a previous color are simply slipped to create the illusion of complex interlocking patterns. This makes it far more approachable than stranded or Fair Isle colorwork.

The three colors used are:

• Color A: Valley Yarns Granville in 04 Silver
• Color B: Valley Yarns Granville in 11 Kelp
• Color C: Valley Yarns Granville in 07 Dark Teal

The pattern is divided into three slip-stitch pattern sections — Pattern 1, Pattern 2, and Pattern 3 — each featuring its own stitch arrangement. Patterns 1 and 2 alternate two rounds of Color C with two rounds of Color A in a striped sequence, creating a rhythmic, flowing colorwork effect. Pattern 3 is worked on larger needles, allowing the fabric to open up slightly and transition smoothly toward the neck.

Stitches Used

• Reverse stockinette stitch — used for the rolled hem edge
• Slip-stitch colorwork patterns — three distinct pattern sections (Pattern 1, Pattern 2, Pattern 3)
• Decrease stitches — used to shape the cowl from hem to neck
• Knit and purl combinations — as part of the slip-stitch pattern structures

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Granville