Snow Bunny

Snow Bunny Cowl by Sharon Mooney

What Is Being Made

The Snow Bunny is a knitted cowl designed by Sharon Mooney, measuring 26 inches in circumference by 6 inches in height after blocking. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile neck accessory suitable for cold-weather wear, featuring a two-color colorwork design that combines contrasting yarn shades for visual interest.

Yarn Materials

This cowl pattern calls for approximately two skeins of Malabrigo Worsted weight yarn, each skein containing 210 yards and weighing 3.5 ounces. The yarn is 100% Merino Wool, known for its softness, breathability, and excellent drape. The pattern specifies two distinct colors: Polar Morn #9 (color A) and Blue Graphite #508 (color B), which work together to create the finished design.

Knitting Needles and Tools

The Snow Bunny pattern requires two pairs of 24-inch circular knitting needles: a size US 10 and a size US 8. Circular needles allow for seamless in-the-round knitting, which is essential for creating a cowl without seams. Additional tools needed include a stitch marker for tracking rounds, and a yarn needle or large embroidery needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 5 stitches and 6.5 rows per 1 inch on stockinette stitch using circular gauge measurement. Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining the finished dimensions of 26 inches circumference by 6 inches height after blocking.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Snow Bunny employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. Core stitches and techniques used in this pattern include:

• Stockinette Stitch — The primary stitch structure, created by alternating knit and purl rows (or knit rounds when working in the round), producing a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side
• Knit (K) — The basic knit stitch, the foundation of most knitted fabrics
• Purl (P) — The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and pattern variation
• Decreases — The pattern incorporates K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) techniques to shape the cowl and create fitted shaping
• In-the-Round Knitting — Worked continuously in rounds using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming
• Casting On and Binding Off — Standard techniques for beginning and finishing the piece
• Two-Color Colorwork — The pattern incorporates two distinct yarn colors (Polar Morn and Blue Graphite) to create the visual design

Pattern Structure

The Snow Bunny follows a systematic pattern using standard knitting abbreviations and terminology. The design progresses through multiple rounds with repeating stitch sequences, utilizing stitch markers to maintain pattern placement and track progress. The two-needle approach (US 10 and US 8) allows for gauge adjustments and shaping variations throughout the construction.

Pattern copyright 2013 Sharon E. Mooney. All Rights Reserved.