Ric Rac Cowl in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® - W596 - Downloadable PDF

Ric Rac Cowl in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® – Pattern Summary (W596)

The Ric Rac Cowl is a beautifully textured knitted cowl designed by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns as a free downloadable PDF pattern (W596). Worked entirely in the round, this cowl produces a finished piece measuring approximately 21 inches in circumference and 8.5 inches in length from the cast-on edge — a satisfying, wearable accessory that knits up quickly and makes an excellent project for knitters who are ready to explore simple lace-style stitch patterns.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a classic circular cowl, designed to be worn around the neck as a cozy, stylish accessory. The finished cowl has a ribbed border at the cast-on edge and features a repeating ric rac lace pattern in the body, which creates a subtle zigzag or wave-like visual texture. The cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from cast-on to bind-off, making it a clean, straightforward knit with no seaming required.

Skill Level and Suitability

This pattern is rated Easy, making it an ideal project for beginner to early intermediate knitters. While it does introduce a simple lace element — the yarn over and double decrease combination that creates the ric rac effect — the repeat is short and intuitive, and the stitch count remains consistent throughout. Knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting in the round and have tried a yarn over will find this pattern very approachable. The fact that gauge is listed as unimportant further reduces the pressure on newer knitters, as slight variations in tension will not significantly affect the overall outcome.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round – The cowl is cast on and worked as a continuous tube using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, seamless fabric.
• Ribbing – A four-round ribbed border using a K3, P1 repeat is worked at the start to create a neat, slightly elastic edge that frames the cowl cleanly.
• Simple lace patterning – The body of the cowl features a repeating lace round using yarn overs and a central double decrease, which creates the signature ric rac zigzag effect.
• Joining in the round – Stitches are cast on and carefully joined without twisting before placing a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round.
• Stitch marker usage – A stitch marker is placed and slipped each round to track the beginning of the round consistently throughout the project.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – The foundational stitch used throughout both the ribbing and the main pattern body.
• Purl (P) – Used in the K3, P1 rib and carried through the pattern repeat to create vertical columns of texture that anchor the lace motif.
• Yarn Over (YO) – Creates a deliberate hole or eyelet in the fabric, adding the open, lace-like quality to the ric rac pattern. Each yarn over also adds a stitch that is balanced by the accompanying decrease.
• Slip 1, K2tog, PSSO (sl1-K2tog-psso) – A central double decrease that removes two stitches at once and leans the fabric toward the center, working in tandem with the yarn overs to create the characteristic zigzag wave of the ric rac design.
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) – A standard right-leaning decrease used as part of the central double decrease combination.
• Slip (Sl) – Used within the double decrease sequence to position the central stitch correctly before passing it over.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash®, a beloved workhorse yarn in the knitting world. This yarn is made from 100% Superwash Wool, meaning it has been treated to be machine washable — a practical and popular choice for accessories like cowls that see frequent use and laundering. Each skein contains 100 grams (3.5