Rhubarb and Custard Cowl

Rhubarb and Custard Cowl by Eight-by-Six

What is Being Made

The Rhubarb and Custard Cowl is a beginner-friendly knitted neck cowl designed by Amanda Hurrell of Eight-by-Six. This project creates a cozy, circular neckwear piece that can be completed in just a few evenings, making it an ideal quick gift option. The finished cowl measures approximately 12 by 11.5 inches.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This cowl is constructed using circular knitting needles, which allows for seamless, continuous knitting in the round. The pattern is written in UK knitting terminology and employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The cowl features a straightforward construction method that builds confidence in new knitters while producing a polished, wearable finished piece.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: Created by knitting every row, garter stitch forms the primary fabric structure of this cowl. This classic stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and is one of the most fundamental stitches in knitting.
• Basic knit and purl stitches: The pattern uses standard K (knit) and P (purl) abbreviations as the foundation for all stitch work.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Aran weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that knits up quickly and creates a substantial, durable fabric. The designer used hand-dyed Aran yarn from Sewhappycreative in the colorway shown, featuring pink and cream fleck colors worked in sequence. However, the pattern is versatile and can be substituted with any Aran weight yarn—whether plain, multi-colored, self-striping, or even scraps combined to create a unique, personalized cowl.

Needles: 5mm circular needles with a 40cm cable are specified for this project, allowing for comfortable in-the-round knitting. The pattern begins with a cable cast-on method, though alternative cast-on techniques may be used according to knitter preference.

Additional materials: The project requires a knitters darning needle for finishing, scissors, one stitch marker for tracking rounds, and optional embellishments such as a hand-made label or wooden button for personalization.

Pattern Specifications

The cowl is cast on with 100 stitches and worked in the round using the specified circular needles. The pattern is designed for beginner skill level, making it accessible to knitters new to circular needle techniques and in-the-round construction.

Care Instructions

The finished cowl is machine washable at 30 degrees, can be cool tumble dried, and should not be ironed or dry cleaned. These care instructions ensure the cowl remains beautiful and wearable through regular wear and washing.