Arboles Cowl

Arboles Cowl by SashkaKnits

Project Overview

Arboles is a cozy cowl designed by Sashka Macievich that works up quickly using less than 50 grams of two different colored yarns, making it an ideal stash-busting project. This cowl is knit in the round and features a finished size of 7 inches in circumference by 7 inches long (68.5 cm circumference by 18 cm long).

Craft and Technique

This is an advanced-level knitting project that requires working in the round using circular knitting needles. The cowl construction involves knitting circularly, which creates a seamless tubular fabric ideal for neck wear. The pattern incorporates colorwork elements using two contrast colors, adding visual interest and complexity to the finished piece.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Arboles cowl utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary stitch structure, combined with slip stitch pattern work for the border details. The stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns. The slip stitch pattern elements add textural variation and help define the cowl's edges. While gauge is noted as not critical for the overall cowl, obtaining accurate gauge over the pattern stitches is important, particularly for the border stitches which use fewer stitches on larger needles compared to the slip stitch pattern sections.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Malabrigo Finito (50g per skein, 200 yards/185 meters per skein)
  • Main Colour (MC) – 063 Natural – 1 skein
  • Contrast Colour (CC) – 064 Chispas – 1 skein
  • Approximate yardage used: 30 grams of each colour
• Needles: US size 2.5 [3.00 mm] circular knitting needles, 16"/40 cm long (working needles) and US size 5 [3.75 mm] circular knitting needles, 16"/40 cm long (or needles 2–3 sizes larger for border sections)
• Notions: 2 stitch markers and a yarn needle for sewing in ends

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 32 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. While overall gauge is noted as not critical for this cowl pattern, achieving correct gauge over the pattern stitches is essential for proper fit and appearance, especially in the border sections.