Diamond Road

Diamond Road Cowl by Shannon Larson

What is Being Made

Diamond Road is a one-size-fits-most knitted cowl designed by Shannon Larson of Justlivin Designs. This project creates a versatile neck accessory suitable for a range of wearers, combining textured stitch patterns with charted colorwork or textured elements for visual interest.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project worked in the round using circular needles. The cowl is constructed as a seamless, continuous tube, which is the standard approach for circular knit accessories. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Diamond Road cowl employs multiple stitch techniques to create its finished design:

• Knit and Purl Ribbing (K2P2): The cowl begins with a 1-inch ribbed cuff using a knit 2, purl 2 rib pattern. This elastic ribbing helps the cowl sit securely around the neck and provides a finished edge.
• Charted Pattern: The main body features a charted stitch pattern that is worked across 40 stitches. This allows for precise, repeatable texture or colorwork design.
• Seersucker Pattern: A secondary seersucker stitch pattern is incorporated into the design, worked across 33 stitches. Seersucker is created through alternating rows of slipped stitches and knit stitches, producing a distinctive puckered, three-dimensional texture.
• Slipped Stitches: Slipped stitches are used strategically throughout, particularly in the seersucker sections, to create texture and visual definition without adding bulk.
• Make One Increase (M1): A single M1 increase is worked at the end of the ribbing round to adjust stitch count from 112 to 113 stitches, ensuring proper pattern alignment.

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 100–115 grams of DK weight yarn. The sample shown uses Magpie Fibers Swanky DK in the Beaver colorway, though any DK weight yarn of appropriate yardage will work.

Needles and Notions: US #5 (3.75mm) circular needles in a 16-inch length are required to achieve proper gauge. The pattern also calls for three stitch markers, including one distinctly different marker to denote the beginning of round, and a darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in the charted pattern on US #5 needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cowl meets the intended dimensions. The cowl is offered in one size that fits most, with a finished circumference accommodating a range of neck sizes.

Difficulty Level

Diamond Road is rated as a beginner-friendly project. While it incorporates charted patterns and multiple stitch techniques, the straightforward construction—a simple tube worked in the round—makes it accessible to knitters new to colorwork or textured stitching. Familiarity with basic knitting techniques, circular needle work, and reading charts will help ensure success.

Format and Designer Information

Diamond Road is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Shannon Larson, operating under the brand Justlivin Designs. For questions or support, Shannon can be reached at justlivindesigns@gmail.com or followed on Instagram at @justlivindesigns.