Bassett Cowl in Rowan Moordale - ZB297-00013-UK - Downloadable PDF

Bassett Cowl by Martin Storey – Rowan Moordale Knitting Pattern (ZB297-00013-UK)

The Bassett Cowl is a beautifully crafted, advanced-level knitting pattern designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. Published as a downloadable PDF (reference ZB297-00013-UK), this pattern produces a generously sized, colourwork cowl worked entirely in the round. With its striking Fair Isle stranded colourwork and impressive finished length of approximately 129 cm, the Bassett Cowl is a showpiece accessory that showcases both technical skill and an eye for colour.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a long, tubular cowl — a seamless, circular accessory designed to be looped around the neck for warmth and style. The substantial length of approximately 129 cm means it can be worn in multiple wraps, making it both a practical cold-weather piece and a statement garment. The cowl is worked entirely in the round from cast-on to cast-off, with no seaming required.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round: The cowl is worked as a seamless tube using double-pointed needles, with stitches distributed evenly across three of the four needles and the fourth used as the working needle.
• Fair Isle stranded colourwork: The pattern employs the classic Fair Isle technique, in which multiple yarn colours are used across each round. Yarns not currently in use are stranded across the wrong side of the work, creating a double-layered fabric that adds warmth and structure.
• Joining and breaking off colours: Colours are joined in and broken off as required throughout the pattern, keeping the colourwork clean and precise.
• Working from a chart: The colourwork is directed by a 14-stitch pattern repeat charted over a 14-round repeat, which is worked continuously until the cowl reaches its full length. The chart is repeated 8 times around each round, giving a total of 112 stitches per round.
• Placing a stitch marker: A marker is placed at the beginning and end of each round to track progress through the pattern repeat.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch in the round (stockinette): The entire cowl is worked in stocking stitch — every round is knitted — which, when worked in the round, produces a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing colourwork motifs.
• Cast-on: 112 stitches are cast on to begin the project.

Colourways and Materials

The Bassett Cowl is knitted in Rowan Moordale, a DK weight yarn that lends itself beautifully to stranded colourwork thanks to its smooth, consistent texture. The pattern specifies yarn requirements across three colours and offers both a main colourway and an alternative colourway.

Main Colourway

• Colour A – Pepper 002: 1 x 100gm ball
• Colour B – Turmeric 003: 2 x 100gm balls
• Colour C – Ash 010: 1 x 100gm ball

Alternative Colourway

• Colour A – Pepper 002
• Colour B – Orange Peel 018
• Colour C – French Navy 016

The alternative colourway offers a bolder, more contrasting palette, with the deep tone of French Navy 016 and the warmth of Orange Peel 018 creating a striking visual effect against the neutral Pepper 002.

Needles

• Double-pointed needles, 4mm (US 6) — used throughout to work the cowl in the round.