Hood River Cowl

Hood River Cowl by Carol Herman

What Is Being Made

The Hood River Cowl is a knitted neck accessory inspired by the 2013 Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival in Hood River, Oregon. This cowl is worked in the round and features architectural corrugated ribbing combined with a classic knit-and-purl X's and O's stitch pattern, all executed in a single color for a sophisticated, textured look. The pattern is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, with circumferences ranging from approximately 29 inches to 56 inches.

Techniques Used

This beginner-level knitting project requires fundamental circular knitting skills. The primary techniques include:

• Working in the round: The cowl is constructed using circular needles, allowing for seamless construction
• Corrugated ribbing: An architectural stitch technique that creates dimensional texture and visual interest while maintaining structure
• Knit-and-purl stitch patterns: The X's and O's motif combines knit and purl stitches to create a classic textured design

Stitches Used

The Hood River Cowl employs straightforward stitch techniques suitable for beginners:

• Knit stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch: Combined with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition
• Corrugated ribbing: A specialized ribbing technique that alternates knit and purl stitches in a way that creates pronounced vertical ridges and dimensional texture
• X's and O's stitch pattern: A classic combination of knits and purls arranged to form recognizable motifs

Materials

The Hood River Cowl pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and gauge:

• Yarn: Malabrigo Arroyo in Sport weight (100% Merino wool), requiring 2 skeins for sizes Small, Medium, and Large, and 3 skeins for Extra Large. Each skein contains 335 yards per 100 grams
• Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles in lengths appropriate to each size: 24 inches for Small, 32 inches for Medium and Large, and 47 inches for Extra Large
• Gauge: 26 stitches and 38 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with the pattern note indicating that this gauge creates a denser fabric

Yarn Weight Options

The Hood River Cowl pattern is suitable for both DK and worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility for yarn substitution while maintaining the architectural qualities of the corrugated ribbing design.