Quilted

Quilted Cowl by Alicia Plummer

What Is Being Made

The Quilted cowl is a versatile knitted neckwear accessory designed by Alicia Plummer. This one-size-fits-all cowl is worked in the round from bottom to top and features a reversible construction, making it suitable for multiple wearing styles. The cowl can be worn traditionally as a neck cowl, extended as a long nursing cover, or styled as an open-back shrug, offering flexibility for different occasions and needs.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance and structure. The cowl is constructed using circular needles and worked in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and ensures a seamless, professional finish. The pattern incorporates garter stitch at the foundation, providing a textured base and helping the cowl maintain its shape. The reversible nature of the design means both sides are equally attractive, achieved through thoughtful stitch placement and pattern repeats. Adjustability is built into the design—knitters can easily modify the cowl's dimensions by adding or subtracting quilted repeats as desired, making it customizable for different preferences and sizing needs.

Stitches Used

The Quilted cowl utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with charted colorwork or texture patterns. Garter stitch forms the ribbed foundation at the cowl's base, worked over approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters). The main body features a quilted chart pattern that is worked for multiple full repeats across the body of the cowl. A star chart is incorporated between specific marked sections, worked over 32 rounds to create visual interest and pattern definition. The pattern uses knit stitches as the primary stitch, with pattern markers used strategically to delineate different sections and ensure accurate repeat placement throughout the garment.

Materials and Specifications

• Yarn: Quince & Co. Osprey in aran weight (170 yards per 100 grams). The pattern calls for 3 skeins for the smaller version or 4 skeins for the sample shown, totaling [510] 600 yards of yarn.
• Needles: US size 10.5 (6.5mm) circular needle for the main body and US size 10 (6.0mm) circular needle for the ribbed cuff. Both needles are circular needles suitable for working in the round.
• Gauge: 15 stitches and 21 rows over a 4-inch (10-centimeter) square in stockinette stitch, worked on the larger needle size.
• Finished Dimensions: One-size-fits-all (OSFA) with measurements of 9.5 inches (24 centimeters) in height and 60 inches (152 centimeters) in length when worn as a cowl.

Pattern Overview

The Quilted cowl begins with casting on 220 stitches using the smaller needles and joining in the round with a placed marker. After working approximately 1 inch of garter stitch for the cuff, knitters switch to the larger needles and establish the pattern setup. The setup round involves knitting specific stitch counts and placing markers at designated points (markers A and B) to guide the charted sections. The quilted chart is then worked for either one or two full repeats depending on the desired finished size. The star chart is worked between the marked sections over 32 rounds, creating a focal point in the design. The reversible construction means the pattern is equally attractive from both sides, making it a versatile accessory.