Violet Ice Bobble Cowl

Violet Ice Bobble Cowl

What is Being Made

The Violet Ice Bobble Cowl is a circular knitted cowl designed by Beth ModernVintageKnitsCo. This is a versatile neckwear piece available in two sizes—Child's to Adult Small and Adult Small and up—allowing knitters to choose based on personal preference for fit and drape. The cowl features decorative bobble details that add textural interest to the finished garment.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and decorative knitting techniques. The pattern incorporates circular knitting, worked in the round using circular needles to create a seamless tubular fabric. Knitters will use yarn overs to create decorative eyelet details and increase stitches strategically throughout the pattern. The bobble effect is achieved through a technique involving multiple increases in a single stitch, followed by decreases that gather the increased stitches back together, creating a three-dimensional raised texture. The pattern also demonstrates slip stitch decreasing, a technique that creates elegant, leaning decreases for shaping.

Stitches Used

The Violet Ice Bobble Cowl utilizes a range of basic and decorative stitches appropriate for an intermediate knitter:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (p) – used to create textural contrast and definition in the pattern
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Yarn over (yo) – creates decorative holes and increases stitches for lace elements
• Slip stitch (sl) – used for various decreasing techniques
• Slip 2 knitwise, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over (sl 2 knitwise-k1-p2sso) – a centered double decrease that creates the distinctive bobble gathering effect
• Stitch markers (sm) – used to mark pattern repeats and round beginnings

Materials

The Violet Ice Bobble Cowl is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn. The designer used Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino in the colorway Violet Ice, requiring 2 skeins total for completion. Knitters will need US Size 10 circular knitting needles measuring 24 inches to accommodate the in-the-round construction. Additional notions include stitch markers (optional but helpful for tracking pattern repeats) and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

Gauge and Sizing Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. However, the designer notes that gauge is not crucial for this project, making it forgiving for knitters who may not achieve exact gauge. The two available sizes accommodate different preferences for cowl fit and how the finished piece drapes around the neck, whether worn closer to the skin or loosely layered over other garments.