Rowan Cowl

Rowan Cowl by Dagmar Mora

Project Overview

The Rowan Cowl is a thick and warm knitted cowl designed by independent designer Dagmar Mora. This adjustable cowl features a stitch pattern inspired by the distinctive pinnate leaves of the Rowan tree, known for displaying vibrant autumn colors. The design captures the essence of seasonal warmth with its botanical aesthetic, making it an ideal accessory for chilly autumn days.

What is Being Made

This project creates a finished cowl measuring 16.5 x 59 cm (6½ x 23¼ inches) in Women's Medium size. The cowl is designed to be adjustable to accommodate different sizes, offering versatility for various wearers. The finished piece functions as a thick, insulating neck accessory that provides substantial warmth through its construction and stitch density.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Rowan Cowl is worked flat using written instructions and charted patterns. The construction involves working from a cast-on of 39 stitches, with the pattern incorporating a centre leaf motif that repeats throughout the design. The cowl features a button closure system, utilizing 5 buttons of approximately 2cm (¾ inch) diameter to secure the finished piece. This button-closure design allows for size adjustment and secure wear.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs stocking stitch as a foundational stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The primary design feature is a leaf pattern stitch that mimics the pinnate leaf structure of the Rowan tree. This decorative stitch pattern is worked from both written instructions and a provided chart, with specific pattern repeats including a centre leaf motif that appears consistently throughout rows 14-23 of the pattern sequence.

Materials and Tools Required

• Yarn: 80g (140 meters / 155 yards) of worsted or aran weight yarn. The aran weight classification ensures the cowl achieves its intended thickness and warmth properties.
• Needles: 5mm / US 8 needles, or the size required to obtain proper tension
• Notions: 5 buttons measuring approximately 2cm (¾ inch) in diameter for closure

Tension and Gauge

Achieving proper tension is essential for this project's success. The pattern specifies two distinct gauges: 16 stitches and 21 rows equal 10x10 cm (4x4 inches) in stocking stitch, and 24 stitches and 21 rows equal 10x10 cm (4x4 inches) in the leaf pattern stitch. The difference in stitch count between gauges reflects the density created by the decorative leaf pattern compared to plain stocking stitch. Knitters should swatch and adjust needle size as needed to match these specifications.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with stitch patterns and charted instructions. The combination of stocking stitch and decorative leaf pattern work, along with the button closure construction, requires intermediate-level competency in reading both written and charted patterns.