Triteia Cowl in Berroco Modern Cotton - 3-5 - Downloadable PDF

Triteia Cowl by Hilary Smith Callis – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Triteia Cowl is an elegant, funnel-shaped knitted cowl designed by Hilary Smith Callis and published by Berroco as part of Portfolio Vol. 3. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a graceful, flared cowl that transitions from a snug neck opening to a dramatically wider bottom hem, creating a silhouette reminiscent of a mini capelet or cowl-shawl hybrid. It is rated Easy, making it an ideal project for beginner to early intermediate knitters who want to explore simple lace and seamless construction without overwhelming complexity.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a seamless, top-down cowl with two size options. The cowl measures approximately 18½" in circumference at the neck opening and either 12¾" or 14¼" in length at the center, depending on the chosen size. The bottom opening measures either 32" or 36¾" in circumference, giving the cowl its characteristic flared, flowing shape. This wide bottom opening is a design feature rather than a bust measurement, so the cowl drapes loosely and elegantly around the shoulders and upper chest.

Construction and Techniques

The Triteia Cowl uses a clever and satisfying construction method that begins flat and then transitions to working in the round:

• Garter Tab Cast-On: The cowl begins with a Garter Tab cast-on, a technique commonly used in shawl construction. Just 2 stitches are cast on and worked for 6 rows of garter stitch, after which stitches are picked up along the edges to establish the starting stitch count. This creates a neat, tidy top edge and a stable foundation for the increases that follow.
• Top-Down Construction: The piece is worked from the neck edge downward, beginning as a semi-circular shawl shape worked flat. Evenly spaced increase rows (using M1 increases) gradually widen the fabric, building toward the flared bottom opening.
• Seamless Join: Once the top edge reaches the correct length, the work is joined to be worked in the round, and all remaining rounds are completed seamlessly. A single stitch marker is used to track the beginning of each round.
• Lace: The lower portion of the cowl is worked in a repeating Simple Lace pattern, which adds an airy, decorative texture to the flared section of the cowl.

Stitches Used

The pattern relies on a small, approachable set of stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Used in the upper section of the cowl, worked both flat and in the round, providing a smooth, classic fabric.
• Garter Stitch: Used during the initial Garter Tab cast-on and maintained as a border along the first and last 2 stitches of flat rows during the semi-circular section.
• Simple Lace Pattern: A clean, two-row/two-round repeat worked over a multiple of 2 stitches. Round 1 consists of yarn-over (yo), k2tog repeated to the end of the round, creating a row of eyelets. Round 2 is a plain knit round. This alternating structure produces a delicate, open fabric that is very manageable for beginner lace knitters.
• M1 (Make 1) Increase: Used in the increase rows to evenly expand the stitch count as the cowl widens from neck to hem.
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A basic right-leaning decrease used within the Simple Lace pattern, paired with yarn-overs to maintain stitch count while creating the lace eyelets.
• Yarn-Over (Yo): The companion to k2tog in the lace repeat, creating the characteristic open holes of the eyelet pattern.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern calls for BERROCO MODERN COTTON, a worsted weight yarn sold in