Mesh Leaf Cowl

Mesh Leaf Cowl by Shannon Squire

What Is Being Made

The Mesh Leaf Cowl is a lightweight, versatile neckwear piece designed by Shannon Squire. This cowl features a finished circumference of 68 inches and a width of 12 inches, making it an oversized, wrap-style accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a generous loop around the neck and shoulders. The design showcases an elegant mesh and leaf motif created through strategic lace patterning, combining openwork sections with structured leaf-like details for visual interest and breathability.

Craft and Techniques

The Mesh Leaf Cowl is a knitting project classified as advanced beginner level, requiring familiarity with lace knitting techniques and grafting. The pattern incorporates lace stitchwork, which involves yarn overs and decreases to create the characteristic openwork mesh and leaf formations. Grafting—a technique for seamlessly joining two sets of live stitches—is used to complete the cowl, eliminating the need for a traditional bind-off seam and creating a continuous, polished finish.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which serves as the foundation for the cowl. The lace pattern is created through combinations of yarn overs and decreases, including a center double decrease (cdd) abbreviation referenced in the pattern. These techniques work together to form the mesh and leaf design elements that characterize this cowl. The interplay between solid stockinette sections and openwork lace areas creates depth and visual texture throughout the piece.

Materials and Yarn Options

The Mesh Leaf Cowl is available in two yarn weight options, allowing crafters to choose based on their preferred drape and warmth level:

• Lace-Weight Version: Requires approximately 550 yards of lace-weight yarn. The pattern is shown in two colorways: Filatura di Crosa Superior in colorway 55 Light Teal, and Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Silk Lace in colorway Fog. This version uses US3/3.25mm needles with a gauge of 28 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
• Fingering-Weight Version: Requires approximately 400 yards of fingering-weight yarn. This alternative uses US4/3.5mm needles with a gauge of 26 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, offering a slightly denser fabric while maintaining the lace pattern design.

Additional notions required for both versions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for grafting the cowl closed and weaving in yarn ends. The choice between lace-weight and fingering-weight yarn allows customization of the finished fabric's drape and transparency while maintaining the elegant mesh leaf aesthetic.