Cabowl

Cabowl Cowl by Ashley Knowlton

What Is Being Made

The Cabowl is a knitted cowl designed by Ashley Knowlton. This is a neck garment that offers customizable depth while maintaining a consistent circumference. The cowl measures 17.5 inches (44.5 centimeters) unstretched and stretches to 20 inches (51 centimeters) when lightly stretched, making it a versatile accessory suitable for various neck sizes and styling preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project uses circular needles to create the cowl in the round, which is a fundamental technique for seamless garment construction. The pattern employs cable techniques, as evidenced by the requirement for two cable needles in the materials list. Cables are decorative raised twisted stitches that add visual interest and texture to knitwear. The customizable depth feature allows knitters to adjust the length of the cowl to their personal preference, providing flexibility in the final garment dimensions.

The pattern utilizes a chart pattern format, which uses visual symbols to represent stitches rather than written instructions. This method is particularly useful for complex stitch patterns and allows knitters to follow the design visually row by row.

Stitches Used

The Cabowl incorporates specialized knitting stitches to create its design. The pattern includes M1P (make one purl), which is an increase stitch created by picking up the bar between stitches and purling into it. This stitch is commonly used in lace and textured patterns to create intentional shaping and decorative elements. The use of cable stitches, combined with increases and the chart pattern structure, creates a sophisticated design suitable for intermediate knitters.

Yarn Options and Materials

The Cabowl offers flexibility in yarn weight selection, accommodating two distinct yarn options:

• Aran Weight Option: 120 yards of aran weight yarn. The pattern is shown in Posh Martha Aran, which contains 80% merino, 10% nylon, and 10% cashmere. This yarn comes in 180 yards (165 meters) per 100-gram skein and is shown in the colorway Chimney Sweep (Black).
• Lace Weight Option: 160 yards of lace weight yarn. The pattern is shown in Fyberspates Angora Merino Laceweight, which provides 880 yards (800 meters) per 100-gram skein. This version is shown in Natural (Undyed), creating a neutral aesthetic.

The inclusion of both merino and angora in the yarn options provides softness and warmth, while the nylon content in the aran weight adds durability and elasticity. The choice between aran and lace weight yarn significantly impacts the final appearance and drape of the cowl, with the lace weight creating a more delicate, airy fabric and the aran weight producing a denser, warmer garment.

Needles and Notions

The Cabowl requires the following tools and materials:

• US 8 (5mm) circular needle, 12 to 16 inches (30.5 to 50.5 centimeters) long, or longer needle for Magic Loop technique. Magic Loop is an advanced circular knitting method that allows knitters to work small circumferences on a longer circular needle by creating loops.
• Two cable needles for executing cable stitches
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing
• Stitch marker(s) to mark the beginning of rounds and track pattern repeats
• One larger needle (optional) to use for the cast-off edge, which can create a more elastic or decorative bind-off

Gauge and Pattern Specifications

The correct gauge for this pattern is 22 stitches and 18 rows measuring 4 by 4 inches (10 by 10 centimeters) when worked on US 8 (5mm) needles with the selected yarn. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions of the cowl. Knitters may need to adjust needle size up or down to match the specified gauge, as individual tension varies. The pattern provides gauge information for both yarn weight options when worked on US 8 needles or the size needed to achieve the correct tension.