The Sand and the Sea Cowl

The Sand and the Sea Cowl by Shannon Squire

Project Overview

The Sand and the Sea Cowl is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Shannon Squire. This downloadable PDF pattern offers knitters the opportunity to create a beautiful two-color cowl using either fingering-weight or DK-weight yarn. The design showcases color work and is suitable for knitters new to cowl construction.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a cowl—a circular neckwear accessory that combines two distinct colors to evoke the natural imagery of sand and sea. The cowl is worked in stockinette stitch and features a two-color construction that allows for creative color pairing and personalization.

Yarn and Materials

The Sand and the Sea Cowl offers flexibility in yarn weight options:

• Fingering-weight version: Approximately 400 yards total, split equally between two colors. The designer used Foxtrot by Big Alice Dyeworks in the colorways Sleeps with the Fishes (color A) and Precious Cherries (color B).
• DK-weight version: Approximately 300 yards total, split equally between two colors. The designer's version was knitted in Knitted Wit Victory DK in Paprika and Oregon Sky.

Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern accommodates different yarn weights with corresponding needle sizes:

• Fingering-weight version: US #4/3.5mm needles. Gauge is 24 stitches over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking.
• DK-weight version: US #6/4mm needles. Gauge is 20 stitches over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking.

The pattern notes that any needle type will work, as the cowl is knitted back and forth rather than in the round.

Techniques and Stitches

The Sand and the Sea Cowl employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner-level knitters:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the cowl, created by alternating knit and purl rows to produce a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side.
• Two-color knitting: The pattern incorporates color work by using two distinct yarn colors split equally, allowing knitters to practice managing multiple colors within a single project.
• Back-and-forth knitting: Rather than working in the round, this cowl is constructed by knitting flat rows, making it accessible for knitters who may not yet be comfortable with circular needle techniques.
• Blocking: The pattern requires blocking after completion to achieve accurate gauge and finished dimensions.

Pattern Details

This pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF and is the intellectual property of Shannon Squire Designs, copyright 2014. The pattern is intended for personal use only and may not be copied, distributed, or used for commercial purposes.