Breakneck Cowl

Breakneck Cowl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

The Breakneck Cowl is a fast-knit cowl pattern designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs. This project is perfect for knitters seeking a quick, satisfying finish, as it can be completed in approximately one hour or less. The cowl is ideal for fall and winter wear and comes in four size options to suit different preferences.

Sizes and Finished Dimensions

• Small: 24 inches around, 10 inches high
• Medium: 28 inches around, 10 inches high
• Large: 32 inches around, 9 inches high
• X-Large: 40 inches around, 9 inches high

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Malabrigo Rasta yarn. The yardage requirement ranges from 60 to 90 yards depending on the size selected. The Breakneck Cowl is suitable for super bulky, bulky doubled, or 4 strands of worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility for yarn substitution.

Needles and Gauge

Knitters will use US size 19 needles (15.00 mm) for this project. The gauge is 6.0 stitches over 4 inches, which contributes to the rapid knitting pace that inspired the cowl's name.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Breakneck Cowl employs a straightforward construction method suitable for intermediate knitters. The pattern features lace that is provided in both written and charted formats, allowing knitters to follow their preferred instruction style.

• Cast on: Long tail cast on with 36, 42, 48, or 60 stitches depending on size
• Join: Work in the round with a stitch marker placed at the start of round
• Primary stitch pattern: Knit 3, purl 3 ribbing repeated throughout
• Bind off: Bind off in pattern with a loose tension

Pattern Construction

The cowl is worked circularly from the cast-on edge. After casting on and joining in the round, knitters work the ribbed pattern (knit 3, purl 3 repeat) continuously until the piece reaches the specified height. The pattern includes a helpful note to monitor yarn remaining during knitting. Once the cowl reaches the desired length, stitches are bound off in pattern using a loose bind-off to maintain elasticity. Finishing involves weaving in ends and blocking.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it accessible to knitters with some experience while remaining engaging through its lace elements and quick completion time.