Perella

Perella Cowl by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

Perella is an elegant knitted neck warmer designed by Melissa Schaschwary. This versatile cowl features a beautiful leaf-like cable pattern and can be easily modified into a full-length scarf. The design showcases hidden button closures positioned on the underside of the fabric, allowing the decorative stitch pattern to remain the focal point of the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its elegant appearance. The pattern utilizes cable knitting, a classic technique that creates dimensional, rope-like textures through the strategic crossing of stitches. Cable rows are worked on the wrong side of the fabric, which adds visual interest to the finished cowl. The pattern also incorporates yarn overs to create openwork elements that contribute to the leaf-like aesthetic. Additionally, decreasing stitches through knit and purl decreases helps shape the garment and create the pattern's structure.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout the cowl, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, classic fabric
• Cable Stitch (C6F): The signature decorative element that creates the leaf-like pattern; worked by placing 3 stitches on a cable needle, holding to the front, purling the next 3 stitches, then purling the 3 stitches from the cable needle
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A left-leaning decrease used to reduce stitch count and shape the garment
• Purl Two Together (P2tog): A decrease worked on purl rows to maintain pattern consistency
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates decorative holes and contributes to the openwork leaf pattern

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Perella is designed to be worked with super bulky weight yarn, specifically 100 yards (2 skeins) of Spud & Cloe Outer Super Bulky yarn for the standard cowl length. Crafters planning to modify the design into a full-length scarf should plan for additional yardage beyond the base 100 yards. The pattern calls for US size 13 needles to accommodate the chunky yarn weight and achieve proper fabric drape. Additional materials include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends, and 2 buttons for the hidden closure system. The recommended gauge is 2½ stitches and 4 rows per inch over stockinette stitch, though the pattern notes that gauge is not overly critical for achieving successful results.

Pattern Overview

This downloadable PDF pattern provides a complete set of instructions for creating the Perella cowl. The pattern begins with casting on 44 stitches and immediately incorporates decreases to shape the piece. The leaf-like cable pattern is the central design element, worked strategically throughout the cowl to create visual interest while maintaining the garment's elegant aesthetic. The hidden button closures are integrated into the design, positioned on the underside to preserve the beauty of the decorative stitchwork on the public-facing side of the cowl.