Rory Cowl in Berroco Bestie - Downloadable PDF

Rory Cowl in Berroco Bestie – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Rory Cowl is a striking, oversized knitted cowl designed by Mel Kennelly and published by Berroco. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with cables and circular knitting but are ready to take their skills a step further. With its dramatic proportions and textural cable detail, the Rory Cowl is a bold, cozy accessory that works beautifully as a statement piece for cold-weather wardrobes.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a large, funnel-shaped cowl with a wide lower edge and a narrower top opening, creating a graceful, tapered silhouette. The finished measurements are approximately 48 inches / 122 cm around the lower edge, 24 inches / 61 cm around the top edge, and 15 inches / 38 cm high. This generous sizing means the cowl can be worn loosely draped around the shoulders or scrunched up around the neck for extra warmth and volume.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for 6 balls of Berroco Bestie in colorway #10507 Salt & Pepper. Berroco Bestie is a super chunky weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls, making it an ideal choice for projects that need to knit up quickly while still delivering rich stitch definition. The Salt & Pepper colorway gives the finished cowl a classic, versatile look with a subtle marled or tweed-like appearance that suits a wide range of personal styles.

• Yarn: Berroco Bestie, super chunky weight, 50 g per ball
• Colorway: #10507 Salt & Pepper
• Quantity: 6 balls

Needles and Notions

Because the Rory Cowl is worked in the round, a 32-inch / 80 cm circular needle in size US 13 / 9 mm is required, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The super chunky nature of Berroco Bestie means progress is fast and satisfying on these larger needles. Additional tools include:

• Cable needle (cn) – essential for executing the cable panel
• Stitch marker – to track the beginning of rounds
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in ends and finishing

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is particularly important for this pattern given its shaped construction. The pattern specifies 9 stitches and 14 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch, and the 10-stitch cable panel measures 3 inches / 7.5 cm wide. Gauge is measured after blocking, so knitters should complete a swatch, block it, and measure before casting on the full project.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Rory Cowl combines several knitting techniques to achieve its textured, shaped look. Knitters working on this pattern will use:

• Circular knitting – the cowl is worked in the round on a long circular needle, eliminating seams for a smooth finish
• Stockinette stitch – the primary background fabric, created by knitting every round when working in the round
• Cable knitting – a 10-stitch cable panel is incorporated into the design, adding a classic, tactile texture; cables are worked using a cable needle to hold stitches to the front or back while others are knitted
• Shaping – the cowl's tapered shape, moving from a wider lower circumference to a narrower upper opening, requires decreases or structured stitch manipulation worked over the height of the piece
• Blocking – finishing the cowl with blocking is specifically called for in the pattern to set gauge and even out the stitches

Design Details and Wearability

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