Brantley

Brantley Stranded Colorwork Cowl by Amy Opie

What Is Being Made

Brantley is a sophisticated stranded colorwork cowl designed as a double-layered knitted accessory. The cowl features a knitted lining that conceals the floats typical of colorwork techniques, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional warmth. The design offers versatility in wear—it can be worn as a traditional cowl, reversed to display the lining, or folded halfway to showcase the contrasting interior layer. This intermediate-level project creates one continuous tube that is hemmed and finished with a three needle bind off seam.

Techniques Used

Brantley employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure:

• Stranded colorwork: The primary decorative technique, worked from color charts across 72 rounds of knitting
• Provisional cast on: Using waste yarn and a crochet hook to create a live edge for later seaming
• Knitting in the round: The entire cowl is constructed as one continuous tube using circular needles
• Double-layer construction: A knitted lining is incorporated to conceal colorwork floats and add insulation
• Three needle bind off: Used to seam and finish the cowl with a secure, professional closure
• Hemming: The cowl is hemmed for a polished, finished appearance

Stitches Used

While specific stitch details are referenced through color charts provided in the pattern, Brantley primarily uses stockinette stitch as the foundation for the stranded colorwork design. The pattern includes multiple color chart options to accommodate different color preferences and knitting styles. The 72-round color chart repeat creates the visual pattern that defines the cowl's appearance.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Brantley is designed to work with DK or light worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility for knitters with different yarn preferences. The pattern requires approximately 500 yards total, distributed as 100 yards each of five contrasting colors. This color distribution allows for striking visual contrast in the stranded colorwork design.

Needles and tools required:

• US Size 6 circular needles, 24 inches
• US Size 5 circular needles, 24 inches
• Size G crochet hook for provisional cast on
• Waste yarn for provisional cast on

Difficulty Level

Brantley is rated as an intermediate project, appropriate for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle stranded colorwork. The combination of working in the round, managing multiple colors, reading color charts, and executing a three needle bind off seam requires solid foundational skills and attention to detail.