Cowl in Ella Rae - ER7-02 - Downloadable PDF

Cowl in Ella Rae Lace Merino – Pattern ER7-02

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Ella Rae provides complete instructions for creating a beautifully textured lace rib cowl using the brand's luxurious Lace Merino yarn. The finished cowl is generously sized, making it an elegant and cosy accessory that can be worn looped around the neck for warmth and style. With a straightforward four-row pattern repeat, this project is well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic lace techniques and are ready to move beyond simple ribbing into more decorative stitch work.

Finished Measurements

• Circumference: approximately 120 cm (47¼ in)
• Width: approximately 20 cm (8 in)

The generous circumference means the cowl can be worn as a single dramatic loop or doubled up for extra warmth and a more structured silhouette around the neck and shoulders.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Ella Rae Lace Merino, a 4-ply weight yarn, in colour number 207. You will need 2 x 100g hanks to complete the project. Ella Rae Lace Merino is a fine, smooth yarn with excellent stitch definition, making it an ideal choice for showcasing the delicate lace rib pattern at the heart of this design. Its merino content gives the finished cowl a soft, next-to-skin feel, while the lace weight structure ensures the fabric remains lightweight and drapey despite the cowl's generous dimensions.

Needles Required

• 1 pair of 3.25mm needles (US size 4)

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is important for this pattern, particularly to ensure the cowl reaches the specified circumference. The stated tension is 41 stitches and 42 rows over 10 cm (approximately 4 in) of the rib pattern, measured using 3.25mm needles. This is a notably fine gauge, which is characteristic of 4-ply and lace-weight knitting, and reflects the intricate, close-knit fabric produced by the lace rib stitch. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before casting on to avoid any discrepancy in the finished size.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The cowl is worked flat on a single pair of needles and then seamed at the ends to form a loop. The fabric is built entirely from a four-row lace rib pattern repeat, which combines classic ribbing structure with simple yarn-over lace increases and corresponding decreases to create an elegant, slightly open texture.

Pattern Repeat Breakdown

• Row 1 (Right Side): K2, p1, yon, k2togtbl, p1, k2; repeat from * to end
• Row 2 (Wrong Side): P2, k1, p2; repeat from * to end
• Row 3 (Right Side): K2, p1, k2tog, yfrn, p1, k2; repeat from * to end
• Row 4 (Wrong Side): As Row 2

Key Stitches and Abbreviations

• K2togtbl – Knit two stitches together through the back loop; a left-leaning decrease used to create the lace effect on right-side rows
• K2tog – Knit two stitches together; a right-leaning decrease that pairs with the yarn-over on alternate right-side rows
• Yon (yarn over needle) – A yarn-over used to create a new stitch between a purl and a knit stitch, forming the lace eyelet
• Yfrn (yarn forward and around needle) – A yarn-over variation used to make a stitch between a knit and a purl stitch; the yarn is taken all the way around the needle, finishing at the front ready to purl
• Rib pattern