Jamming

Jamming Rick Rack Rib Cowl by Reiko Kuwamura

What Is Being Made

The Jamming is a knitted cowl featuring a distinctive rick rack rib stitch pattern. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a versatile neck accessory available in two sizes: Medium (7.25 inches deep by 24 inches circumference) and Large (6.75 inches deep by 44 inches circumference). The cowl is designed to be worn as a comfortable, textured neckwear piece that combines decorative ribbing with a unique lateral braid detail.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive appearance. The pattern uses circular knitting worked in the round from a cast-on base, eliminating the need for seaming. A lateral braid stitch appears at Round 52, adding visual interest and textural complexity to the cowl's surface. The construction includes a turned hem with bind-off at the completion, where stitches are picked up from the wrong side and bound off together with corresponding stitches from the current round using the k2tog (knit two together) decrease technique. This creates a finished edge while incorporating the hem into the final structure.

Stitches Used

The Jamming cowl relies on fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. The primary stitch pattern is rick rack rib, which creates the textured appearance throughout most of the cowl. The pattern incorporates knit stitches worked across multiple rounds to establish the base pattern, purl stitches used strategically in Rounds 53 through 58 (or 56 for the larger size), and the k2tog decrease employed during the hem bind-off. The lateral braid detail at Round 52 adds dimensional interest through its own specialized stitch sequence.

Materials and Gauge

The Jamming requires sport weight yarn in quantities dependent on size selection: 206 yards (188 meters) for the Medium size or 360 yards (330 meters) for the Large size. The pattern features yarn shown in Pierrot Fontaine colorways number 05 and 08, though any compatible sport weight yarn will work. Knitting is worked on US 6 (4.0mm) or JPN 6 (3.9mm) circular needles in either 24-inch or 32-inch lengths, sized as needed to achieve the specified gauge. The required gauge is 6 stitches per 1 inch in the pattern stitch, making gauge swatching essential for proper fit. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for finishing and one stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 138 stitches for Medium or 270 stitches for Large, worked as a multiple of 3.