Jasmine

Jasmine Colorworked Cowl by Christal LK Designs

Project Overview

The Jasmine is an intermediate-level knitted cowl designed by Christal LK Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cowl measuring 70cm in circumference and 29cm in height, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for various head and neck sizes. The design combines classic ribbed knitting with stranded colorwork techniques, offering knitters an engaging project that develops color-knitting skills.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a circular cowl—a tubular neckwear accessory knitted in the round. The finished piece features a two-color stranded colorwork design integrated with ribbed sections, creating both visual interest and textural variation. The cowl is worked seamlessly from cast-on to bind-off using circular needles.

Construction and Techniques

The Jasmine cowl is constructed in distinct sections that build upon each other:

• Ribbed Foundation Section: The cowl begins with a 2x2 ribbed cast-on using the main color (MC), establishing 216 stitches on larger needles. Rounds 1 through 15 maintain the 2x2 rib pattern, creating an elastic, textured base. Rounds 16 and 17 transition to stockinette stitch in the main color, preparing for the colorwork section.
• Stranded Colorwork Section: The central design element uses stranded colorwork (also called Fair Isle knitting), where two colors are carried simultaneously across each round. The pattern is worked from a chart, repeated twice around the circumference with a marker placed between repeats. For managing long floats in stranded colorwork, the pattern recommends catching floats every 3 to 4 stitches to prevent loose, snagging strands on the inside of the cowl.
• Color Management: After completing the stranded colorwork section, the contrast color yarn is cut and removed from the work, leaving only the main color for any finishing sections.

Stitches Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches executed with colorwork precision:

• Knit Stitch (k): Used throughout the stockinette sections and as part of the stranded colorwork design.
• Purl Stitch (p): Creates the 2x2 ribbed sections in alternation with knit stitches, producing the characteristic raised vertical lines of ribbing.
• Stranded Colorwork: A technique where two yarn colors are held and worked simultaneously, with one color carried (floated) across the back of the work when the other color is being knitted. This creates a reversible fabric with color patterns on both sides.
• Float Catching: An intermediate technique used when strands become too long; the working yarn is caught under the floated yarn at intervals to secure it and prevent snagging.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, offering excellent stitch definition for the colorwork design. The suggested yarn is Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles, a 100% Merino wool available in 366-meter skeins per 100 grams:

• Main Color (MC) - Shamrock: Approximately 350 meters required
• Contrast Color (CC) - Seed: Approximately 65 meters required

The pattern calls for two circular needles in different sizes to accommodate gauge changes: a 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle measuring 60cm (24") for the ribbed sections, and a 3.5mm (US 4) circular needle also measuring 60cm (24") for the stranded colorwork section where a slightly larger gauge is used. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge

The ribbed section is worked at a gauge of 30 stitches and 32 rounds per 10cm (4 inches) when measured after blocking with the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished circumference and ensuring the colorwork sits properly on the body.

Skill Level

Classified as intermediate, this pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with circular needle techniques, reading charts, managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously, and understanding float management in stranded colorwork. The combination of ribbing and colorwork makes this an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their technical skills beyond basic stock