Celosia

Celosia Cowl by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Celosia is a knitted lace cowl designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. This cozy neckwear piece features a squishy construction with an easily memorized lace pattern and decorative scalloped edge. The finished cowl measures 27 inches around and 8.5 inches tall, making it an ideal accessory for layering and everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project is worked in the round using circular or double-pointed needles. The cowl combines two primary techniques: garter stitch and lace knitting. The lace pattern repeats across the body of the cowl and is interspersed with garter stitch rounds, creating visual interest and texture. The scalloped edge is achieved through the lace pattern structure, eliminating the need for additional finishing techniques. The gauge is not critical for this design, though it will affect the final drape and yardage requirements.

Stitches Used

The Celosia cowl employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch used in garter rounds
• Purl (P) – the basic purl stitch used in garter rounds and lace pattern rows
• Yarn Over (YO) – creates the openwork lace effect and decorative holes throughout the pattern
• Purl 3 Together (P3tog) – a decrease stitch that reduces three stitches to one, creating the characteristic lace shaping and scalloped edge detail

The lace pattern repeats across 10 rounds, alternating between knit garter rounds and patterned purl rounds with yarn overs and decreases.

Materials and Tools

The sample Celosia cowl was knitted using Dragonfly Fibers Valkyrie yarn in the colorway Silver Fox. This yarn is 100% Superwash Merino with a yardage of 200 yards per 4 ounces. The sample required 180 yards, though yardage may vary depending on individual gauge. The pattern accommodates aran, dk, and worsted weight yarns, providing flexibility for yarn substitution.

Needles required are size 9 US (5.5 mm) in either a set of 5 double-pointed needles or a 24-inch circular needle, depending on knitter preference. The recommended gauge is 4 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch when knitting in the round, though this is not critical to the success of the finished piece.