Shoal Cowl in Rowan Denim Revive - ZB296-00011-FR - Downloadable PDF

Shoal Cowl in Rowan Denim Revive by Martin Storey – Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Shoal Cowl is an elegant knitted cowl designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. Published as a downloadable PDF under the reference ZB296-00011-FR, this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore colourwork techniques. The cowl is worked in the round on circular needles, producing a seamless, cosy accessory with a sophisticated two-colour textured appearance.

Construction and Techniques

The Shoal Cowl is knitted entirely in the round, beginning with a two-colour ribbed cast-on edge before transitioning into a stranded colourwork chart. The construction method is straightforward but requires attention to colour management, as the pattern involves carrying the unused yarn across the wrong side of the fabric — a classic technique in stranded knitting. Key techniques used in this pattern include:

• Two-colour ribbing – the cowl opens with a decorative two-colour rib, alternating knit and purl stitches in contrasting shades to create a visually striking border
• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle-style jacquard) – the main body of the cowl is worked from a charted colourwork pattern across 52 rounds, with the unused yarn carried or floated across the wrong side of the work
• Working in the round – all rounds are knitted on circular needles, with a stitch marker used to indicate the beginning and end of each round
• Chart reading – knitters follow a colourwork grid, beginning and ending at specified points, working every round as a knit round in stocking stitch

Stitches Used

• Two-colour rib – alternating knit and purl stitches using two yarn colours simultaneously, with the non-working yarn carried across the wrong side
• Stocking stitch in the round (knit every round) – used throughout the main colourwork section of the cowl body
• Stranded colourwork stitches – worked from a charted design, creating the signature Shoal pattern across the body of the cowl

Yarn and Colourway

This pattern is written specifically for Rowan Denim Revive, a DK weight yarn. Two colours are used throughout the design:

• Colour A – Darkness (shade 217): 2 x 50g balls
• Colour B – Silt (shade 216): 2 x 50g balls

The contrast between these two carefully chosen shades gives the colourwork pattern its depth and definition, with the darker Darkness and the softer, earthy Silt complementing each other beautifully in the finished cowl.

Needles and Tension

Two circular needles are required for this project:

• 3.25mm circular needle – up to 50cm in length, used for the two-colour ribbed section
• 3.75mm circular needle – up to 50cm in length, used for the main colourwork body

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 25 rounds to 10cm over the colourwork pattern using the 3.75mm needle. Achieving correct tension is particularly important in stranded colourwork, as carrying yarn across the back of the fabric can cause the knitting to pull in if floats are worked too tightly. Knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully before beginning.

Cast-On and Structure

The cowl begins with a cast-on of 168 stitches using the 3.25mm circular needle and Colour B (Silt 216). A stitch marker is placed to indicate the round join, and care is taken not to twist the cast-on row before joining. The two-colour rib is established immediately, with Colour B used for the knit stitches and