Blushing Lillian

Blushing Lillian Cowl by Patty Olson Designs

Project Overview

Blushing Lillian is a beginner-friendly knitted cowl designed by Patty Olson. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a cozy neck accessory with finished measurements of 27" in circumference and 5.5" in height, making it an ideal project for knitters new to cable work.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a circular cowl—a tubular neck warmer that can be worn as a single or double loop. The cowl is constructed in the round using a provisional cast on method, with stitches worked repeatedly until the desired length is achieved, then seamed together using the Kitchener stitch for a seamless finish.

Techniques Used

• Provisional Cast On: A temporary cast on method that allows live stitches to be picked up later for seaming
• Cable Knitting: The primary stitch pattern features cable twists worked at regular intervals throughout the design
• Kitchener Stitch: A grafting technique used to seamlessly join the two ends of the cowl together
• Blocking: The finished cowl is blocked to measurements to achieve proper dimensions and shape

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The cowl features a repeating 10-row cable pattern that forms the textural interest of the design. The pattern alternates between knit and purl rows on the right and wrong sides, with cable twists strategically placed to create visual dimension.

• Rows 1, 3, 7, 9 (Right Side): Knit all stitches
• Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches
• Row 5: Cable twist worked by slipping 3 stitches to a cable needle and holding to back, knitting 3 stitches, then knitting the 3 stitches from the cable needle
• Row 10: Cable twist worked by slipping 3 stitches to a cable needle and holding to front, purling 3 stitches, then purling the 3 stitches from the cable needle

The 10-row pattern is repeated fifteen times or until the cowl reaches the desired length, creating a consistent cable texture throughout.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for 2 hanks of Yarn Snob Keith's Worsted Cashmere in the colorway Blush. This is a worsted weight yarn composed of 100% Italian Cashmere, with each hank providing 100 yards of yardage at 55 grams. The luxurious cashmere fiber provides softness and warmth ideal for a cowl worn close to the neck and face.

Needles and Notions: The pattern requires a US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needle in 16" length, though straight needles or double-pointed needles may be substituted based on preferred knitting method. A cable needle or double-pointed needle is needed for working the cable twists. A crochet hook is required for executing the provisional cast on method.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when worked in the cable pattern and blocked. The cowl is cast on with 36 stitches and measures 27" in circumference and 5.5" in height when blocked to finished measurements.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner project, Blushing Lillian introduces knitters to cable techniques in a manageable way. While cable work is involved, the pattern's straightforward structure and clear instructions make it accessible to those new to this decorative knitting technique.