Esker

Esker Cowls and Scarves by Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen

What Is Being Made

Esker is a collection of knitted cowls and scarves designed by independent designer Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen. The pattern offers versatility with options for a buttoned cowl, a traditional cowl, or a scarf with cowl styling. The design draws inspiration from its namesake—a serpentine ridge of gravelly and sandy drift formed by glacial streams—translating geological beauty into wearable knitwear.

Difficulty and Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to cowl and scarf construction. The straightforward stitch patterns and clear instructions allow novice knitters to build confidence while creating a sophisticated finished garment.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Esker pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suited to its beginner difficulty level:

• Flat knitting construction, allowing knitters to work back and forth rather than in the round
• Provisional cast-on method (optional, for grafting the cowl together seamlessly)
• Grafting technique to join cowl ends when creating a closed cowl shape
• Optional button attachment for the buttoned cowl and scarf variations

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern features a Ridge stitch pattern worked over 9 stitches, creating texture and visual interest. The Ridge pattern repeats as follows:

• Row 1: Knit 2, purl 2, knit 1, purl 2, knit 2
• Row 2: Purl 1, knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 1

This alternating knit and purl sequence generates a subtle ribbed texture characteristic of ridge stitch work. The pattern uses alphabetical stitch count values (A, B, C, etc.) throughout, allowing knitters to customize their own measurements and create a personalized pattern by inserting specific stitch counts into designated spaces.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The recommended yarn for Esker is The Uncommon Thread Lush Worsted, a premium blend consisting of 80% Merino wool, 10% Nylon, and 10% Cashmere. This composition provides warmth, durability, and luxury softness. The yarn yields 230 yards per 100 grams and is classified as worsted weight, a medium-weight yarn ideal for creating garments with good drape and structure.

Yarn requirements vary by size; specific yardage amounts are provided in the pattern's sizing table on page 6.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need 4.5 mm (US 7) circular or straight needles, depending on their preferred knitting method. Additional notions include:

• 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping
• A darning needle for weaving in ends and grafting
• Waste yarn for provisional cast-on (if grafting the cowl)
• 3, 4, or 6 buttons for size 1, 2, or 3 respectively (optional, for the buttoned cowl variation)

Pattern Features and Customization

A distinctive feature of the Esker pattern is its customizable framework. Rather than providing fixed stitch counts, the designer uses alphabetical placeholders throughout the pattern instructions. This approach empowers knitters to insert their own measurements and create a truly personalized garment. A comprehensive sizing table on page 6 provides the alphabetical values corresponding to each size, making it simple to adapt the pattern to individual preferences and gauge.