Marike Cowl in Rowan Cotton Cashmere - Downloadable PDF

Marike Cowl in Rowan Cotton Cashmere – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Marike Cowl is a beautifully designed knitted cowl created by designer Annika Andrea Wolke and published by Rowan (pattern reference ROWEB-03625). It is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible project for knitters who want to explore cable textures in a relatively compact, wearable accessory. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best suited to knitters who are comfortable working in the round and handling a cable needle.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a circular cowl — a seamless, tube-shaped neck accessory worn looped around the neck for warmth and style. The completed Marike Cowl measures approximately 66.5 cm (26 inches) in circumference and 23.5 cm (9½ inches) deep, giving it a generous, cosy fit that sits comfortably around the neck and lower face. The cowl is photographed in Coral Spice 214, a warm, flattering colourway that highlights the texture of the cable pattern beautifully.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Cotton Cashmere, a luxurious DK weight yarn. Only 2 x 50g balls are required, making this an economical project that showcases premium yarn without a large investment. As the name suggests, Rowan Cotton Cashmere blends the breathability and stitch definition of cotton with the softness and warmth of cashmere — an ideal combination for a cowl that needs to be both comfortable against the skin and capable of holding crisp cable detail.

Needles Required

• 3.25 mm (UK No. 10 / US 3) circular needle, no more than 40 cm long — used for the cast-on and ribbed or tighter sections
• 4 mm (UK No. 8 / US 6) circular needle, no more than 40 cm long — used for the main cable pattern body of the cowl
• A cable needle is also required for working the cable crossings

The short circular needle length (40 cm or less) is essential because the cowl is worked entirely in the round with a relatively small circumference of 160 stitches cast on. A longer needle would make working in the round impractical at this stitch count.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is important for matching the stated finished dimensions. The pattern specifies 24 stitches and 29 rounds to 10 cm, measured over the cable pattern using the 4 mm (US 6) needle. Because cable patterns naturally pull in fabric horizontally, knitters should always work a tension swatch in the cable pattern itself rather than in stocking stitch before beginning.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round on a short circular needle — the entire cowl is worked as a seamless tube with no seaming required
• Cable knitting — the main decorative feature of the Marike Cowl, worked over a 16-stitch pattern repeat
• Cast-on — 160 stitches are cast on to begin the cowl
• Changing needle sizes — moving from the smaller 3.25 mm needle to the larger 4 mm needle during construction

Stitches Used

• Knit every round — the foundation stitch used throughout, creating a smooth stocking stitch ground for the cables
• C4B (Cable 4 Back) — slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This crossing creates a right-leaning cable twist.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front) — slip the next 2 stitches