Alexis

Alexis Reversible Cowl by Steven Hicks

What Is Being Made

Alexis is a reversible neckwarmer cowl designed by Steven Hicks. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a distinctive two-sided accessory with contrasting visual effects on each face. The finished cowl measures 6½ inches tall by 26 inches around, making it a comfortable neck-hugging garment suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques and Stitch Construction

The Alexis cowl employs a specialized knitting technique that transforms a simple rib pattern into a reversible fabric with dramatically different textures on each side. The pattern begins with a foundational rib stitch worked in the round, establishing the base structure of the cowl.

The signature technique involves intentional stitch dropping and recovery. On the sixth round of each pattern repeat, knitters deliberately drop a stitch from the needle and unravel it down four rows. The working yarn is then caught behind these four loose strands, and the stitch is re-knitted while capturing all the floats. This controlled manipulation creates stacked horizontal floats of yarn on one side of the fabric, while the reverse side develops a corrugated texture. This reversible quality allows the wearer to display either the float-textured or corrugated side depending on preference.

The pattern repeats six rounds four times total, with the final repeat concluding with a bind-off worked simultaneously into the pattern sequence. This construction method demonstrates intermediate-level skill, requiring comfort with circular knitting, stitch manipulation, and understanding how yarn floats behave within knitted fabric.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch forming the fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in alternation to create the rib pattern base
• Rib pattern – a one-over-one purl and knit repeat that provides elasticity and structure
• Dropped stitch technique – deliberate stitch release and re-capture across multiple rows to create textural floats
• Bind-off – finished edge closure worked in pattern

Materials and Gauge Information

The Alexis cowl is worked in super bulky weight yarn, requiring only 90 yards (82 meters) total—making it an efficient project in terms of yardage. Knitting is worked on US 15 (10mm) circular needles, which accommodate the thick yarn and create the fabric at the specified gauge of 3 stitches per 4 inches (10 centimeters).

Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern rounds when working in the round, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion. The pattern accommodates customization: knitters can adjust the cowl's circumference by casting on additional or fewer stitches in multiples of three, allowing for different sizing while maintaining the pattern's integrity.