Sandra 7019

Sandra 7019 Cowl by Sue Whiting Designs

What is Being Made

Sandra is a knitted cowl design by Sue Whiting Designs, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. The finished cowl measures approximately 84 cm (33 inches) all around and approximately 20 cm (8 inches) deep, making it a substantial neckwear piece suitable for layering and warmth.

Craft and Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting project. While the pattern uses straightforward techniques, the intermediate classification reflects the need for consistent tension work and familiarity with the specific stitch pattern required throughout the project.

Knitting Stitches and Techniques

The Sandra cowl features a distinctive textured pattern built on fundamental knitting techniques:

• Knit stitch – The foundation of the pattern, worked on the right side
• Slip stitch – Used at the beginning of rows to create a neat edge
• K1 below technique – A key stitch abbreviation used throughout the pattern to create texture and visual interest. This stitch is worked by inserting the needle into the stitch one row below the working row, creating a distinctive fabric effect
• Purl stitch – Incorporated during the cast-off process to create a ribbed finish
• Ribbed cast-off – The finishing technique that creates an elastic, professional edge while maintaining the K1 below pattern

Pattern Construction

The cowl is constructed in a simple, efficient manner. Knitters cast on 42 stitches loosely, work the first row in knit stitch, then establish the repeating pattern from row 2 onward. The pattern repeat consists of slipping one stitch, then alternating K1 below with K1 across the row. This two-row pattern repeat is maintained consistently until nearly all yarn is consumed, ensuring the cowl reaches its intended dimensions. The piece is then cast off in rib using the established K1 below technique, and the row-end edges are joined to form a continuous loop.

Yarn and Materials

The Sandra cowl requires 2 x 200g hanks of Wisdom Yarns Poems Puzzle yarn in a super chunky weight. The yarn photographed in the pattern is shown in the colorway Embers 301. Wisdom Yarns Poems Puzzle is composed of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, providing durability, easy care, and a soft feel against the skin.

Knitters will need one pair of 15 mm (US 19) needles to work this project. The large needle size paired with the super chunky yarn weight creates the quick, satisfying knitting experience characteristic of chunky-weight projects.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 5 stitches and 11 rows to 10 cm measured over the established pattern using 15 mm (US 19) needles. Checking tension before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cowl meets the specified dimensions of 84 cm around and 20 cm deep. The pattern notes emphasize the importance of tension checking, as variations will directly affect the final size of the completed cowl.

Finishing

The cowl requires minimal finishing. The pattern explicitly states that the piece should not be pressed, preserving the natural texture created by the K1 below stitch pattern. The only finishing step involves joining the row-end edges together to form a continuous loop, creating the characteristic cowl shape for easy wearing around the neck.