Lineae

Lineae Cowl by Melissa Leapman

What Is Being Made

Lineae is a knitted cowl design available in three distinct size options: Small/Medium (close-fitting), Large-1X (close-fitting), and One Size Infinity Length. The cowl features a finished circumference of 20 inches for Small/Medium, 21½ inches for Large-1X, and 56 inches for the infinity version, with a height of 10½ inches for the first two sizes and 9 inches for the infinity cowl. This versatile neckwear piece combines visual interest with wearable comfort.

Techniques and Stitch Pattern

Faux Brioche (Shaker Rib) is the signature technique featured in this design. The pattern creates the luxurious, dimensional look of traditional brioche knitting while using a simplified approach with just one color per row. This eliminates the difficulty of maintaining consistent brioche knit and brioche purl stitches in a single color, making the technique more accessible to intermediate knitters.

The cowl construction begins with garter stitch, worked by alternating one knit round with one purl round for 8 rounds total. This creates a textured, reversible fabric at the base. A strategic decrease of 20 stitches for Small/Medium (24 stitches for Large-1X, and 56 stitches for the infinity size) is worked evenly spaced across the final garter stitch round, reducing the stitch count before transitioning to the main pattern.

The main pattern itself alternates between two colors (designated as A and B in the instructions) in a two-round repeat. Round 1 uses color B with a sequence of purl 1 stitch in the back loop, purl 1 stitch in the front loop, repeated around. Round 2 returns to color A, continuing the rhythmic color work that defines the faux brioche effect.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Purl in back loop (p1-b)
• Purl in front loop (p1)
• Garter stitch (alternating knit and purl rounds)
• Brioche-inspired rib pattern

Materials and Tools

This project is worked in Aran or Worsted weight yarn, providing a fabric with good drape and warmth. The pattern calls for circular knitting needles appropriate to the yarn weight being used, as the cowl is constructed in the round from cast-on through completion. Stitch markers are essential for tracking the beginning of each round during circular knitting.

Skill Level

Lineae is classified as an intermediate knitting project. While the faux brioche technique simplifies traditional brioche knitting, knitters should be comfortable with circular knitting, reading pattern repeats, managing color changes, and executing decreases evenly across a round.