Turbulence Cowl

Turbulence Cowl by Laura Chau

What Is Being Made

The Turbulence Cowl is a sculptural, eye-catching cowl neck accessory designed to showcase creative colorwork and shaping techniques. This cowl measures 25 inches (64 centimeters) in circumference and 11 inches (28 centimeters) in depth, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various necklines. The design emphasizes visual interest through dynamic wave patterns created by combining short row wedges with contrasting color stripes, resulting in a garment that is both functionally warm and artistically striking.

Techniques Used

The Turbulence Cowl employs short row shaping as its primary construction technique. Short rows—created using the wrap and turn method—allow knitters to add depth and dimension to specific sections of the cowl without increasing stitch count across the entire round. This technique, combined with strategic color changes, produces the characteristic wave-like sculptural effect that defines this design. The cowl is worked in the round on circular needles, and the combination of short row wedges with striped colorwork creates visual movement and texture throughout the piece. This intermediate-level construction method requires attention to stitch markers and wrapping techniques but rewards knitters with a uniquely dimensional finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Turbulence Cowl is worked primarily in Garter Stitch, which is created by knitting every round when working in the round (or alternating knit and purl rows when working flat). Garter stitch provides a rustic, textured appearance that complements the tweedy yarn and allows the color stripes and short row shaping to take center stage visually. The pattern incorporates standard knitting abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), slip (sl), place marker (pm), and wrap and turn (w&t) stitches. The simplicity of the stitch pattern ensures that the focus remains on the sculptural shaping and color interplay rather than complex stitch work.

Materials

The Turbulence Cowl is designed for worsted or aran weight yarn, requiring 120 yards (110 meters) of main color (MC) and 90 yards (82 meters) of contrast color (CC). The pattern is shown worked in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, a 100% wool yarn that features 140 yards (128 meters) per 1.75 ounce (50 gram) skein. The sample uses one skein each in the colorways Woodsmoke (MC) and Hayloft (CC), demonstrating how this project makes excellent use of small yarn quantities and leftover skeins. Construction requires US 9 (5.5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 centimeters) long, along with stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing. The gauge is 18 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Garter Stitch, which knitters should verify before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.