Brookland Cowl

Brookland Cowl by Emma Sadler

What is Being Made

The Brookland Cowl is a DK-weight knitted cowl designed as a reversible, seamless accessory perfect for winter wear. This one-size cowl measures approximately 88cm (35 inches) in length and features a reversible construction with no wrong side, ensuring the pattern remains visible even when the cowl flips during wear. The design showcases a beautiful fair isle pattern worked in three coordinating colors: a main dark brown, a lighter brown, and a contrasting blue.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that make it an excellent learning piece for knitters looking to develop their skills. The cowl is knitted in the round, creating a seamless tubular construction. The project begins with a provisional cast on, which allows live stitches to be picked up later for grafting. The finishing technique uses grafting (also known as Kitchener stitch) to join the cast-on and bind-off edges together invisibly, eliminating any visible seam.

The standout technique featured throughout this design is fair isle knitting, a stranded colorwork method that creates intricate patterns by carrying multiple yarn colors across the back of the work. This technique is integral to the cowl's aesthetic appeal and makes it an ideal project for practicing and refining fair isle skills. The reversible nature of the finished cowl means both sides display the fair isle pattern beautifully.

Stitches Used

The Brookland Cowl is primarily worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), the fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or continuous knit rounds when working in the round. This stitch provides the smooth, dense base necessary for the fair isle colorwork to stand out clearly. The gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows in stocking stitch on 4mm needles, measuring 10x10cm (4x4 inches), which ensures the DK yarn creates a fabric with appropriate thickness and drape for a winter cowl.

Materials and Tools

This project requires DK-weight yarn in three colors: a main dark brown shade, a lighter brown, and a contrasting blue. The specific yardage requirements are detailed in the full pattern. Knitters will need 4mm (US size 6) circular needles measuring 40cm (16 inches) or shorter for working in the round, or alternatively, double-pointed needles (dpns) of the same size. A second set of needles is required for the grafting process at the end of the project. The smaller needle size and DK yarn weight combination creates the dense, structured fabric ideal for a winter accessory.