Chevron Cowl

Chevron Cowl by The Feminine Touch Designs

What is Being Made

The Chevron Cowl is a reversible cowl designed by The Feminine Touch Designs, offering a versatile neckwear accessory that can be worn with either side facing outward. The pattern is easily adapted to create longer or wider variations, making it customizable for different preferences and fit requirements. With a finished circumference of 28 inches (53 cm) and a depth of 7.75 inches, this cowl provides comfortable coverage around the neck and shoulders.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs the Brioche knitting technique as its primary construction method. Brioche knitting is an advanced technique that creates a distinctive textured fabric with excellent elasticity and drape, making it ideal for cowls and other garments requiring flexibility and visual interest. The reversibility of this cowl is achieved through the careful application of Brioche stitch throughout the main body.

The cast-on and cast-off edges are worked in garter stitch, which creates a rolled edge finish. Garter stitch—formed by knitting every row—provides a stable, textured border that frames the Brioche pattern beautifully and prevents curling at the edges.

The cowl is knitted in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and continuous pattern work. This method eliminates the need for seaming and ensures an even, professional finish throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern utilizes specialized Brioche stitches and includes a custom abbreviation: BR4stDec, which represents a 5-stitch decrease worked across multiple stages. This decrease is executed in three stages:

• Stage 1: Slip 1 stitch (a BRK column stitch) knitwise
• Stage 2: Slip the next stitch (a Purl stitch) purlwise
• Stage 3: Place the 3rd stitch (a BRK column stitch) on a stitch marker or cable needle

The pattern includes a repeating section (Section 3) that measures 3 inches wide by ¾ inch high after blocking, establishing the gauge and visual rhythm of the Chevron design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project is worked in Aran weight yarn, a medium-heavy yarn weight that creates a substantial, warm fabric suitable for cowls and winter accessories.

Yarn: The pattern calls for Drops Nepal, a blend of 65% wool and 35% alpaca mohair, totaling 3 x 50-gram balls. The colorway combines two shades:

• Yarn A (Navy 1709): 2 x 50-gram balls
• Yarn B (Raspberry Rose shade 8910): 1 x 50-gram ball

The two-color combination creates the chevron pattern effect, with the navy providing the primary color and the raspberry rose adding contrast and visual dimension.

Needles: The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles:

• 5 mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles for the cast-on and cast-off edges worked in garter stitch
• 6 mm (UK 4/US 10) circular needles for the main Brioche pattern sections

Using two needle sizes allows the knitter to achieve proper tension for both the garter stitch edges and the Brioche body, ensuring consistent fabric quality throughout.

Notions: The pattern requires locking stitch markers to secure stitches during the complex decrease sequences and pattern work.

Pattern Characteristics

The Chevron Cowl is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, appropriate for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle the Brioche stitch method. The reversible design adds complexity to the pattern construction but rewards the knitter with a garment that offers two distinct looks in one piece. The adaptability of the pattern allows knitters to customize the finished dimensions by working additional pattern repeats, making it a versatile design for various preferences and yarn quantities.