Briar Cowl

Briar Cowl by Fox and Folk

What is Being Made

The Briar Cowl is a knitted cowl designed for adult wear, offering a finished length of 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) when laid flat and a finished width of 11 inches (28 cm). This one-size accessory is constructed using the in-the-round knitting method on circular needles, creating a seamless tubular garment ideal for layering and warmth.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques. The cowl is worked in the round using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous, seamless fabric. Knitters will use chart-based colorwork to create the Briar pattern, working a repeating 16-stitch motif across seven repeats per round. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch placement and marker management throughout the construction process.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Briar Cowl utilizes basic knitting stitches combined with charted colorwork. Essential stitches and techniques include:

• Knit stitch (K) - the primary stitch used throughout the cowl
• Cast on (CO) - 112 stitches are cast on to begin the project
• Bind off (BO) - used to secure stitches at the completion of the cowl
• Stitch markers (PM/SM) - placed to mark the beginning of rounds and assist with chart repeat tracking
• Chart repeat pattern - a 16-stitch motif worked 7 times across each round to create the distinctive Briar colorwork design

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Briar Cowl requires worsted weight yarn in a total of 280 yards (256 meters), excluding yarn used for swatching. Fox and Folk recommends using natural fiber yarn that can be blocked for optimal results. The yarn is worked in four coordinating colors:

• Bone - 110 yards (101 meters)
• Goldenrod - 40 yards (37 meters)
• Slate - 55 yards (50 meters)
• Forest - 75 yards (69 meters)

Knitting needles required are US 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 10 stitches over 2 inches (5.02 cm). Additional notions include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern calls for a gauge of 10 stitches per 2 inches (10 stitches per 5.02 cm). The cowl is designed in one adult size, with the finished dimensions of 9.25 inches in length and 11 inches in width when laid flat, making it a versatile accessory suitable for most adult wearers.