Celtic Cable and Rib Cowl in Cascade Yarns Cascade 220® - W639 - Downloadable PDF

Celtic Cable and Rib Cowl – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Celtic Cable and Rib Cowl is a beautifully textured knitted cowl designed by Linda Medina and published by Cascade Yarns as a free downloadable PDF pattern (pattern number W639). Worked in a rich combination of traditional Celtic cabling and ribbing, this cowl is an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic techniques. The pattern is rated Intermediate in difficulty, making it ideal for those who are comfortable with knit and purl stitches and ready to tackle cable work.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single cowl design available in two size options:

• Small/Standard: 7.5" wide x 29" in length
• Large: 7.5" wide x 38" in length

The finished cowl features an intricate Celtic Cable and Rib stitch pattern that creates a deeply textured, visually striking fabric. The design is finished with 4 buttons measuring 7/8" (22 mm), giving the cowl a practical and decorative closure rather than a fully joined tube. This button closure adds a stylish, tailored detail that sets it apart from standard pull-over cowls.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on several classic knitting techniques that combine to produce the signature Celtic cable texture:

• Cable knitting – The defining technique of this pattern. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle, then working them out of order to produce twisted, rope-like or interlocking designs characteristic of Celtic motifs.
• Back Cross (BC) – A cable technique where one stitch is slipped to a cable needle and held at the back of the work; one knit stitch is worked, then the held stitch is purled. This creates a right-leaning cross with a knit-over-purl texture.
• Front Cross (FC) – The mirror of the Back Cross; one stitch is slipped to a cable needle and held at the front of the work; one purl stitch is worked, then the held stitch is knitted. This creates a left-leaning cross.
• Back Knit Cross (BKC) – A cable cross where one stitch is held at the back on the cable needle, one knit stitch is worked, then the held stitch is also knitted, producing a right-leaning knit-over-knit cable cross.
• Ribbing – Alternating knit and purl columns are incorporated throughout the pattern to complement the cables and add elasticity to the fabric.
• Casting on and binding off – Standard techniques used to begin and finish the piece.
• Blocking – Critically important for this pattern. The Celtic Cable and Rib stitch pattern is described as very stretchy and will appear much smaller before blocking. Knitters are strongly advised to make and block a gauge swatch before beginning the project.
• Button band finishing – The cowl is completed with a button closure, requiring basic finishing skills to attach buttons neatly.

Stitches Used

• Celtic Cable and Rib Pattern – The primary stitch pattern of the cowl, combining interlocking cable crosses with ribbed columns to produce a dense, textured Celtic-inspired fabric.
• Knit stitch – Used throughout the cable crosses and ribbing sections.
• Purl stitch – Used in the ribbing and as part of the mixed cable cross stitches (BC and FC).
• Cable crosses – Including BC (Back Cross), FC (Front Cross), and BKC (Back Knit Cross), all worked with the aid of a cable needle.
• Bind off – Used to finish the edges of the cowl cleanly.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Cascade 220®, a beloved workhorse yarn in the knitting community. Cascade 220® is made from 100% Peruvian Highland Wool and comes in 100 g (3.5 oz) skeins with approximately 220 yards (