The Rockefeller Center Cowl

The Rockefeller Center Cowl

What Is Being Made

The Rockefeller Center Cowl is an intermediate-level knitted cowl designed by Janet Every. This finished accessory measures approximately 8 inches wide by 36 inches long, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for layering and styling. The cowl features a structured design with decorative cable work throughout the body and a garter stitch border.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate techniques to create visual interest and texture. The primary technique featured is cable knitting, which involves crossing groups of stitches over one another to create twisted, rope-like patterns. The design specifically incorporates the signature Rockefeller Double Cable (DC) stitch, which is executed by slipping two stitches to a cable needle and holding them in front of the work, then knitting the next two stitches from the left needle followed by the two stitches from the cable needle. Additional cable variations used include forward cables (FC) and back cables (BC), which create directional texture and visual movement across the cowl. The pattern also incorporates increasing techniques, specifically the KFB (knit front and back) method, which is used strategically in the first row of the body to expand the stitch count from the initial 18 cast-on stitches to 24 working stitches.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the project
• Purl stitch (P): Used to create texture and definition between cable sections
• Knit front and back (KFB): An increase stitch used in Row 1 to expand the stitch count
• Cable stitches: Forward cable (FC), back cable (BC), and the signature Rockefeller Double Cable (DC) create the dimensional cable work
• Garter stitch: The border is worked entirely in garter stitch (knitting every row), which creates a flat, textured edge

Materials and Tools

The Rockefeller Center Cowl requires bulky weight yarn, with a total yardage requirement of 9 ounces. Knitters will need size 13 (9mm) knitting needles to achieve the appropriate gauge of approximately 9 stitches and 14 rows per 4 inches when working in garter stitch. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable crossings throughout the pattern. Additional supplies include stitch markers (optional, but helpful for tracking pattern repeats), a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and 3 buttons measuring 1 inch each for finishing details.

Pattern Structure

The cowl begins with casting on 18 stitches and working an 8-row garter stitch border to frame the piece. The body of the cowl follows with a structured 10-row repeat that combines knit and purl stitches with multiple cable variations. The increasing row immediately following the border expands the working stitches to 24, providing the necessary width for the cable motifs to display properly. The combination of cable work and reverse stockinette sections (created by the purl stitches) allows the cables to stand out in dimensional relief against the background fabric.