Katoomba Cowl in Ella Rae Toowoomba - ER01-05 - Downloadable PDF

Katoomba Cowl in Ella Rae Toowoomba – Pattern Summary (ER01-05)

The Katoomba Cowl ER01-05 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern published by Knitting Fever Inc. and designed to be worked in Ella Rae Toowoomba yarn. Despite its name referencing a cowl, the PDF content reveals this is in fact a classic knitted waistcoat (vest) featuring structured ribbing, shaped shoulders, and a defined neckline — a timeless wardrobe staple that works beautifully in a lightweight DK-weight yarn. The pattern is available in three sizes to suit a range of bust measurements.

Garment Overview

The Katoomba Cowl waistcoat is a clean, wearable knitted vest designed for everyday wear. It is worked flat in separate pieces — a Back and a Front — which are then seamed together at the shoulders and sides. The finished garment features a ribbed lower hem, smooth Stocking stitch body panels, and carefully shaped shoulder and neck edges for a polished, fitted silhouette.

• Sizes: Three sizes covering bust measurements of 80–90 cm, 95–105 cm, and 110–120 cm (approximately 31½–47¼ inches)
• Finished lengths: 68 cm, 69 cm, and 70 cm respectively (approximately 26¾–27½ inches)

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for confident beginners and intermediate knitters alike:

• Flat knitting: All pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, making this accessible to knitters who prefer not to work in the round
• Ribbing: A 1×1 rib is worked at the cast-on edge of both the Back and Front, providing elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the hem
• Stocking stitch (St st): The main body of the waistcoat is worked in Stocking stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Shoulder shaping: Shoulders are shaped using a series of cast-off rows worked at the beginning of right-side and wrong-side rows, creating a stepped slope for a comfortable, structured fit
• Back neck shaping: Centre back neck stitches are cast off and each side of the neck is then worked separately, with additional cast-offs to refine the neckline curve
• Front neck shaping: The front neckline is shaped by casting off centre stitches and then working stepped decreases at the neck edge over a series of alternate rows
• Seaming and making up: Finished pieces are joined using shoulder seams and side seams, with armhole depth measured and marked from the shoulder seam before seaming
• Pressing and blocking: The pattern instructs knitters to press all pieces gently using a warm iron over a damp cloth, which helps even out the Stocking stitch fabric and prepare the pieces for seaming

Stitches Used

• 1×1 Rib: Alternating knit 1, purl 1 across the row, worked for approximately 6 cm at the lower hem edge
• Stocking Stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern for the body — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — producing a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing the texture and colour of the yarn
• Cast-on and cast-off techniques: A standard cast-on is used to begin (91, 109, or 127 stitches depending on size), and cast-offs are worked in stages throughout the shoulder and neck shaping sections

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Ella Rae Toowoomba, a DK-weight yarn sold in 50g balls. The quantity required depends on