Put A Bow On It

Put A Bow On It Cowl by Aspen Knits

Project Overview

Put A Bow On It is an intermediate-level knitted cowl designed by independent designer Aspen Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cowl measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in circumference by 12 inches (30 cm) in depth, making it a versatile neckwear piece suitable for layering and everyday wear.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a cowl—a tubular knitted accessory worn around the neck. The cowl features decorative i-cord stripe details created using a contrasting color technique, giving the finished piece a distinctive bow-like visual element that provides textural interest and design sophistication.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Put A Bow On It cowl employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Circular knitting: The pattern utilizes circular needles to create the tubular cowl structure in the round, eliminating the need for seaming
• I-cord application: Decorative i-cord stripes are incorporated into the cowl using a color-carrying technique where the main color yarn is carried on top while working with the contrasting color, allowing the i-cord to automatically attach to the cowl body
• Two-color knitting: The pattern works with both a main color and contrasting color yarn, requiring color management and yarn handling skills
• Gauge-based shaping: The pattern relies on accurate gauge measurement to achieve the specified finished dimensions

Stitches and Abbreviations

Put A Bow On It uses fundamental knitting stitches worked at an intermediate complexity level:

• K (knit): The primary stitch creating the stockinette stitch fabric base
• P (purl): Used in combination with knit stitches for texture and pattern work
• K2tog (knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease stitch for shaping
• P2tog (purl 2 together): A purl-based decrease for shaping in purl sections
• Yo (yarnover): A stitch that creates decorative eyelets and increases in the pattern
• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric construction, created by alternating knit and purl rows in flat knitting or knit rounds in circular knitting

Yarn and Materials

The Put A Bow On It cowl requires fingering weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category ideal for creating refined, drapable garments with excellent stitch definition:

• Main Color (MC): 200 yards / 183 meters of fingering weight yarn
• Contrasting Color (CC): 90 yards / 83 meters of fingering weight yarn
• Recommended yarn: The pattern suggests sewhappyJane Happy Fingering for the main color and sewhappyJane Tiny Poppers Mini Skeins for the contrasting color, though any fingering weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content may be substituted

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for specific needle sizes and additional supplies to complete the project:

• US Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles: Available in 16-inch or 24-inch lengths, used for the main knitting
• US Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles: Available in 16-inch or 24-inch lengths, used for specific sections of the pattern
• Double-pointed needles (DPNs): US Size 4 (3.5 mm) for working i-cord details
• Tapestry needle: For weaving in yarn ends and finishing
• Stitch marker: For tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings

Gauge and Sizing

Accurate gauge is essential for this pattern. The specified gauge is 26 stitches equals 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in stockinette stitch. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches the pattern requirements, as gauge variations will affect the finished cow