Arteixo Cowl in Malabrigo Rasta - Downloadable PDF

Arteixo Cowl in Malabrigo Rasta – Knitting Pattern by Kristel Nieves

The Arteixo Cowl is a beautifully simple yet texturally interesting knitted cowl designed by Kristel Nieves as part of the TriBeCa Collection. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is an ideal project for beginner knitters looking to create a cozy, high-impact accessory with minimal time and materials. The cowl is described as a Thick & Quick Reversible Cowl, meaning it looks equally attractive worn on either side — a practical and elegant feature for an everyday accessory.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a circular cowl with a circumference of 23 inches / 58 cm and a width of 10 inches / 26 cm. Its generous proportions make it a versatile neck warmer that can be worn looped once or draped loosely around the shoulders. The cowl is reversible, so there is no designated right or wrong side when wearing it — both faces of the fabric present a pleasing, cohesive texture.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for just one skein of Malabrigo Rasta, making it an economical and satisfying single-skein project. Malabrigo Rasta is a super chunky, 100% Merino Wool yarn, coming in at 90 yards / 82 meters per 5.29 oz / 150g skein. The specific colorway used in the pattern is #706 Cosmos. Rasta is beloved in the knitting community for its extraordinary softness, lofty squooshiness, and rich hand-dyed color depth — qualities that make the finished cowl feel as luxurious as it looks.

• Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta, 100% Merino Wool, 90 yards / 82m per skein
• Colorway shown: #706 Cosmos
• Yarn weight: Super chunky
• Quantity needed: 1 skein

In addition to yarn, knitters will need a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Needles

The pattern recommends US 17 / 12mm knitting needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Given the super chunky weight of Malabrigo Rasta, these large needles allow the yarn to bloom and show off its full, pillowy texture. Knitters should always swatch to confirm gauge before casting on.

Gauge

The gauge for the Arteixo Cowl is 13 stitches and 9 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in the stitch pattern, measured unblocked. Because the cowl is worked in a super chunky yarn on large needles, gauge swatching is straightforward and quick.

Techniques and Construction

The Arteixo Cowl is constructed by casting on 26 stitches using a knitted-on cast-on or any preferred stretchy technique. A stretchy cast-on is recommended to ensure the cowl's edges remain flexible and comfortable to wear. The work is then joined and knitted in the round, or seamed after completion, to form the circular cowl shape. Finishing involves a loose bind-off from the wrong side, which helps maintain the elasticity and drape of the fabric.

One of the most appealing aspects of this pattern is its use of a lifted yarn over technique to create surface texture. A yarn over (yo) is a fundamental knitting move in which the working yarn is wrapped around the needle before working the next stitch, creating a small loop. In the context of this pattern, the yarn overs are used not to create open lace eyelets but rather to add a subtle, tactile lifted texture to the fabric — giving the cowl visual interest without requiring complex stitch work. This makes the technique highly accessible for beginners while still producing a result that looks thoughtfully crafted.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The found