Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay Cowl by Tracey Lee

What is Being Made

Apollo Bay is a knitted cowl designed by independent designer Tracey Lee. This accessory features textured wave lace patterning and is part of a coordinated collection that includes the Hopetoun hat and Cape Otway mitts. The cowl is knit in the round without shaping, making it a straightforward circular neckwear piece suitable for children, teens, and adults. The finished cowl circumference in the short size measures 50cm (20 inches), with additional sizing options available.

Techniques Used

Apollo Bay employs fundamental knitting techniques executed in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles. The primary construction method involves working continuously in rounds without any shaping or increases and decreases that would alter the basic cylindrical form. The pattern incorporates lace techniques that create the signature wave texture through strategic yarn overs and decreases. A stitch marker is slipped every round to track the beginning of each round. The cowl requires minimal finishing work once the knitting is complete, reducing post-project construction time.

One notable design feature allows knitters to customize the finished piece by adjusting the height of the cowl through working more or fewer repeats of the lace pattern, accommodating individual preferences and the intended wearer's needs. The pattern is presented in multiple sizes, with instructions differentiated as S [M] [L], though all sizes utilize the same lace chart with the number of pattern repeats around the cowl varying by size.

Stitches Used

• K (Knit): The fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• P (Purl): The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create textural variation
• K2tog (Knit 2 stitches together as 1): A right-leaning decrease used in lace patterning
• SSK (Slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping the next stitch knitwise, returning it to the left needle, and knitting 2 stitches together through the back loop
• Yo (Yarn over): An increase that creates the openwork characteristic of lace patterns, formed by wrapping yarn around the needle

These stitches combine to create the wave lace pattern that defines the cowl's visual appeal. The lace pattern is worked from a chart, making it accessible for intermediate-level knitters who are comfortable reading stitch abbreviations and chart symbols.

Materials

Apollo Bay is designed for DK weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that produces a fabric with good drape suitable for cowls and neckwear. The pattern sample was knit using two yarns held together—specifically merino sock yarn and alpaca—creating a blended fiber content that combines the durability and elasticity of merino with the softness and warmth of alpaca.

The pattern notes indicate that Apollo Bay suits solid and tonal yarns best, allowing the wave lace texture to be the primary visual focus without competing with complex color patterns. Knitters will require circular needles or double-pointed needles appropriate for DK weight yarn, along with a stitch marker for tracking rounds throughout the project.

Difficulty Level

Apollo Bay is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace patterns and chart reading. The combination of in-the-round construction, lace techniques, and minimal shaping creates an achievable challenge without overwhelming complexity.