563 Equilibrium Cowl - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Colrain

563 Equilibrium Cowl - Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The 563 Equilibrium Cowl is a seamless, circular cowl designed by Ping Wood for Valley Yarns. This finished piece measures 9 inches tall by 56 inches in circumference when blocked, creating a generous, versatile neckwear accessory suitable for layering and everyday wear. The cowl is worked in the round from cast-on to completion, eliminating the need for seaming.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs seamless construction, meaning the cowl is worked in the round on circular needles from beginning to end. The pattern features decorative garter stitch borders at the top and bottom edges, though these are noted as optional since the primary stitch pattern does not curl. The design demonstrates how combining different stitch techniques—garter stitch and mock ribbing—creates visual interest and structural integrity in a circular garment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Mock Ribbing, an even-stitch repeat worked in the round over two rounds:

• Round 1: Knit 1, purl 1, repeated across all stitches
• Round 2: Knit 1, slip 1, repeated across all stitches

These two rounds repeat throughout the body of the cowl to create a textured, rib-like appearance. The pattern begins and ends with garter stitch borders (knit every row), which are purely decorative and optional.

Materials and Gauge

The 563 Equilibrium Cowl requires 4 skeins of Valley Yarns Colrain, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 50% merino wool and 50% tencel, offering a blend of warmth and drape. Each skein provides 109 yards and weighs 50 grams. The sample shown is worked in the colorway Whipple Blue.

Two circular needle sizes are required: a US size 5 (3.75 mm) 32-inch circular needle for the garter stitch borders only, and a US size 8 (5 mm) 32-inch circular needle for the main mock ribbing pattern. The working gauge is 5 stitches equals 1 inch in the mock ribbing pattern when measured on the larger needle. Knitters should adjust needle sizes as needed to achieve this gauge for proper finished dimensions.