Product Description
I live at the heart of winter. The cold strikes you right to the bone, while the wind cuts you to the quick. Trendy fashion scarves made with acrylic that you can buy for 2 for $10 languish in stores, because they just don’t keep us warm. I need a warm cowl, but I want a pretty one. The inner layer of this cowl is slightly more fitted than the outer, helping it to stay in place whether you have it scrunched down on your neck or pulled up to keep your nose warm.
This pattern calls for two sizes of yarn, bulky for the lace outside, and fingering held double for the inside layer. Worsted would also work, but I prefer the lighter weight two strands of fingering seems to have. The cowls shown were knit using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Super Chunky and Knit Picks merino sock yarn (Pinkish version) and Malabrigo Gruesa and Three Irish Girls Carys BFL sock (Blue version). This is a good beginner lace project. Both samples were knit in one day by experienced knitters. The blue version used a
Weather the Storm Cowl by Trisha Paetsch
What is Being Made
The Weather the Storm Cowl is a warm, circular cowl designed for serious winter conditions. This knitted neckwear piece prioritizes genuine warmth and durability over trendy but ineffective fashion scarves. The cowl is constructed in the round and can be customized to a looser fit by adding stitches in multiples of 11, making it adaptable to individual preferences and sizing needs.
Craft and Technique
This is an advanced-level knitting project that uses circular needles to work in the round. The cowl features a sophisticated lace stitch pattern called the Crest of the Wave, which combines solid stockinette sections with decorative openwork. The construction method includes a provisional cast-on technique, allowing the designer to use the Kitchener stitch to graft the live stitches together seamlessly when the cowl reaches its desired length. This technique creates a continuous, finished edge without a visible seam.
Stitches Used
- Stockinette stitch: Knit rounds and purl rounds create smooth, dense fabric for warmth
- Crest of the Wave lace pattern: A four-row repeat featuring (k2tog) x2, (yo, k1) x3, yo, (ssk) x2 sequences that create an elegant wave-like texture
- Yarn overs (yo): Add decorative openwork within the lace pattern
- Decreases (k2tog and ssk): Balance the yarn overs and shape the wave motif
- Kitchener stitch: Used to graft the cast-on and bind-off edges together for a seamless finish
Materials
The cowl requires bulky weight yarn for the main color (MC): approximately 65 yards/59 meters in a 3.5 ounce/100 gram skein. A contrasting color (CC) uses approximately 200 yards/180 meters of either fingering weight held double or worsted weight yarn, totaling 1.25 ounces/50 grams. Knitting is worked on 5mm (US 8) circular needles, or whatever size is necessary to achieve proper gauge. Additional materials include a crochet hook and scrap yarn for the provisional cast-on, and a darning needle for the Kitchener stitch grafting.
Gauge
Gauge is critical for this advanced project. The lace pattern worked with bulky yarn should measure approximately 2.5 stitches and 19 rows per 4 inches. Stockinette stitch worked with fingering weight held double measures roughly 14 stitches and 18 rows per 4 inches. Achieving proper gauge ensures the cowl will have the intended warmth and drape.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Chunky |
| Designer: | Trisha Paetsch |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
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