Bimini

Bimini Cowl by Tante Ehm

Project Overview

Bimini is an advanced-level knitted cowl designed by independent designer Tante Ehm. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated neckwear piece with elegant lace detailing, finished measurements of 10 inches in height and 31 inches in circumference, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece.

What Is Being Made

The Bimini cowl is a tubular neckwear accessory worked primarily in stockinette stitch with an intricate lace border. The finished cowl measures 10 inches tall and 31 inches around, providing comfortable coverage for the neck and shoulders. The design combines smooth stockinette sections with decorative lace patterning for visual interest and texture variation.

Construction Techniques

This cowl employs a distinctive two-directional construction method. The pattern begins with a provisional cast on of 14 stitches, and the lace border is knit first as a flat section. Once the lace border is complete, the provisional cast on is removed and the two ends are grafted together using Kitchener stitch, creating a seamless join. After grafting, stitches are picked up around the perimeter of the lace border to transition into working in the round for the body of the cowl. The picking-up technique uses a specific ratio: 1 stitch is picked up for each of 3 consecutive edge stitches, followed by a knit front and back increase into the next edge stitch. This combination is repeated around the circumference to achieve 140 stitches for working in rounds.

Stitches and Stitch Details

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the main body of the cowl, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern on the right side
• Lace Stitches: A charted lace pattern forms the decorative border; the lace chart is read right to left on right-side rows and left to right on wrong-side rows, following standard lace chart conventions
• Slip Stitch: The right-side edge stitch of the lace portion is slipped purlwise with yarn in front, creating a neat, finished edge that facilitates clean stitch pickup
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): An increase stitch used during the stitch pickup process to achieve the correct stitch count for working in the round
• Grafting (Kitchener Stitch): Used to join the provisional cast-on edge to the final row of the lace border, creating an invisible seam

Materials and Gauge

The Bimini cowl requires 250 yards (230 metres) of DK-weight yarn, a standard lightweight yarn category suitable for creating fabric with good drape and stitch definition. The recommended needle is one 24-inch (60 cm) US#6 (4 mm) circular needle, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. A stitch marker is required for tracking round beginnings during in-the-round knitting, and a yarn needle is needed for grafting and weaving in ends.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Knitters should knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their tension matches the pattern requirements.

Difficulty Level

Bimini is rated as an advanced knitting project. The advanced classification reflects the combination of techniques required: reading and working from a lace chart, executing a two-directional construction method, performing a provisional cast on, grafting seams with Kitchener stitch, and picking up stitches with a specific ratio to transition from flat to in-the-round knitting. Knitters should have solid experience with these intermediate-to-advanced techniques before attempting this pattern.