Marina Scarf and Cowl - Knitting Pattern For Women in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton

Marina Scarf and Cowl Knitting Pattern by MillaMia – Pattern Summary

The Marina Scarf and Cowl is a beautifully designed knitting pattern by MillaMia that offers knitters two stylish accessories in one downloadable PDF. The pattern is rated at an Improving (intermediate) skill level, making it an ideal next step for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore more decorative stitch work. Both the scarf and the cowl share the same signature textural stitch pattern and two-colour design, giving them a cohesive, elegant look that is perfect for warm-weather wear thanks to the cotton yarn base.

What Is Being Made

The Cowl

The Marina Cowl is a circular neckwarmer measuring 79cm/31in in circumference and 18cm/7in in height. Its generous circumference allows it to be worn loosely draped around the neck or doubled up for a snugger, layered look. The two-colour construction gives it a striking visual rhythm that works beautifully as a standalone accessory or paired with the matching scarf.

The Scarf

The Marina Scarf is a long, elegant accessory measuring approximately 23cm/9in wide by 135cm/53in long. This generous length allows for a variety of wearing styles, from a simple drape to a loose wrap. Like the cowl, it features the same two-colour stitch pattern, creating a cohesive set when both pieces are knitted together.

Techniques Used

Both the scarf and the cowl are worked flat, meaning the fabric is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round (with the exception of the cowl, which uses a circular needle to accommodate its stitch count comfortably). The defining technique in this pattern is the Alternating Butterflies stitch, a decorative method that involves keeping the yarn at the front of the work and picking it up on the last row of each repeat. This creates a charming bow or butterfly effect on the surface of the fabric — a tactile, dimensional detail that elevates both pieces beyond a standard two-colour accessory. This technique is a form of slip-stitch colourwork, where only one colour is worked at a time per row, making it far more approachable than stranded colourwork such as Fair Isle, yet still producing a richly patterned result. Knitters will also work with two different needle sizes to achieve the correct tension and fabric drape.

Stitches Used

• Alternating Butterflies stitch – the main decorative pattern stitch that creates the signature bow or butterfly motif across the fabric surface
• Slip-stitch technique – yarn is held at the front of the work and carried across selected stitches before being picked up in a subsequent row
• Two-colour row-by-row knitting – colours A and B are alternated across rows to build the pattern without stranding
• Standard cast-on and bind-off – used to begin and finish the pieces neatly

Materials – Yarn

Both accessories are knitted in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, a sport weight yarn sold in 50g/1¾oz balls. This yarn is a 100% cotton construction, making the finished accessories breathable, lightweight, and ideal for spring and summer wear or transitional seasons. Cotton yarn holds stitch definition exceptionally well, which is particularly important in a pattern like this where the Alternating Butterflies stitch relies on crisp, well-defined loops to create its decorative effect.

Cowl Yarn Requirements

• One ball of MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton in French Navy (320) – Colour A
• One ball of MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton in Black (300) – Colour B

Scarf Yarn Requirements

• Two balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton in Indigo Purple (321) – Colour A
• Two balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton in Pebble Grey (312) – Colour B