Scallop Cowl in Rowan Felted Tweed Colour - Downloadable PDF

Scallop Cowl by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Scallop Cowl is a knitted neck accessory designed by Lisa Richardson. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cowl measuring 19 cm (7½ inches) deep with a circumference of 76.5 cm (30 inches). The cowl is worked in the round using circular needles, making it a seamless, tubular garment suitable for wearing as a cozy neck warmer or collar-style accessory.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques that add visual interest and shaping to the cowl. The pattern features ribbed edging at the cast-on, which provides elasticity and a neat finish. The main body incorporates decorative lace patterning worked in the round, creating the signature scallop effect. The construction uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping decreases, with a centre marker placed to create symmetrical decreases on either side of the cowl.

Stitches Used

The Scallop Cowl pattern combines fundamental and intermediate stitches to achieve its design. Key stitches include:

• Knit (K) – the primary stitch forming the stockinette stitch base
• Purl (P) – used in the ribbed sections and pattern detail
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – creates the lace openings characteristic of the scallop pattern
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) – a left-leaning decrease for balanced decreases

The pattern repeats over 6 rounds, with rounds alternating between patterned rounds featuring decreases and yarn-overs, and plain knit rounds that allow the lace to develop.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is worked using Rowan Felted Tweed Colour yarn in a DK (double knitting) weight. The photographed sample is shown in the colourway Chestnut 024. Each ball contains 50 grams of yarn.

The pattern requires two circular needles: a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 70 cm for the initial ribbed cast-on and edging, and a 3¾mm (US 5) circular needle also no longer than 70 cm for the main body and patterning. The shorter needle length prevents stitches from spreading and makes working in the round more manageable for a smaller circumference project.

The recommended tension is 24 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using the 3¾mm (US 5) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for the cowl to reach its intended finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The cowl begins with a cast-on worked on the smaller needles in rib, establishing the foundation. After working several rounds of ribbing, the knitter changes to the larger needles and establishes the main pattern. A centre marker is placed with 92 stitches on either side, creating a symmetrical construction. The 6-round repeat pattern is then worked continuously, with the decreases and yarn-overs creating the distinctive scalloped edge detail that defines this design.