Sansui cowl

Sansui Cowl by Takako Takiguchi

What is Being Made

The Sansui cowl is a long, adjustable knitted cowl featuring prominent cable lines inspired by the Japanese Zen garden style known as Karesansui (枯山水). The design translates the aesthetic of rock and sand arrangements used in Zen gardening into a wearable textile form. This cowl is worked flat and then seamed to create a finished garment, allowing knitters to customize the length according to their preferences. The sample dimensions measure 112cm (44 inches) in length and 21cm (8.267 inches) in width.

Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly knitting pattern employs several fundamental techniques suitable for those new to cable work. The cowl is worked flat on circular needles, meaning knitters work back and forth in rows rather than in the round, making it accessible for beginners. The pattern incorporates cable techniques that create the distinctive long lines reminiscent of Karesansui garden design. After completing the flat knitting, knitters bind off and seam the edges together using a tapestry needle to form the finished cowl shape. The adjustable length feature allows customization during the knitting process, giving crafters control over the final garment dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used for texture and as part of cable stitch sequences
• 2/1 Left Purl Cable (2/1LPC) – slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, purl 1, then knit 2 from cable needle
• 1/2 Right Purl Cable (1/2RPC) – slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold to the back, creating cable crossings that form the linear design elements

Materials and Gauge

This pattern is designed for aran and worsted weight yarns. The sample uses approximately 320 meters (349.9 yards) of yarn, totaling about 160 grams. The recommended yarn for the sample is Cascade Cantata in color #16 Sand (199m per 100g skein), requiring just over one skein to complete the project.

The pattern calls for 4.5mm circular needles, which provide the appropriate needle size for working with aran and worsted weight yarns. Gauge is critical for this design: 17.5 stitches and 20 rows per 10cm in purl stitch, and 15 stitches and 20 rows per 10cm in cable stitch. Additional notions include a cable needle for managing cable stitches and a tapestry needle for seaming the finished edges.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Sansui cowl introduces cable knitting in a straightforward, manageable way. The flat construction eliminates the complexity of circular knitting, and the cable techniques, while requiring a cable needle, are fundamental cable crosses that provide an excellent foundation for developing cable knitting skills.