Scattered Diamonds Mawer Cowl

Scattered Diamonds Mawer Cowl

What is Being Made

The Scattered Diamonds Mawer Cowl is a reversible knit-in-the-round cowl designed by Margaret Kendall. This neck accessory features a finished height of 8 inches (20 centimeters) and a circumference of 23 inches (58.5 centimeters), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various necklines and styling preferences.

Techniques Used

This cowl is constructed using the in-the-round knitting method, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric worked continuously from the bottom up. The reversible nature of the design means both sides of the finished cowl are visually appealing, eliminating the need for a traditional "right" and "wrong" side. The pattern incorporates chart-based instructions that are read from right to left for each round, a standard technique in colorwork and textured knitting patterns. Careful finishing with a tapestry needle ensures neat seaming of yarn ends, which is particularly important given the reversible design.

Stitches Used

The Scattered Diamonds Mawer Cowl employs a straightforward combination of fundamental knitting stitches to achieve its textured appearance:

• Knit stitch (K) - Forms the primary stockinette background
• Purl stitch (P) - Creates the textured diamond motifs when combined with knit stitches

The interplay between knit and purl stitches generates the scattered diamond pattern, with the purl stitches creating visual relief against the smooth stockinette ground fabric. This simple stitch combination makes the design suitable for intermediate-level knitters who are comfortable reading charts and maintaining consistent tension in the round.

Materials

The Scattered Diamonds Mawer Cowl requires worsted weight or aran weight yarn, with a yardage requirement of 135 to 155 yards (124 to 142 meters). The pattern accommodates multiple yarn weights within this range, providing flexibility for yarn substitution. Needles specified are US 8 (5.0 millimeters) 16-inch circular needles, which are appropriate for the yarn weights and stitch gauge required. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends neatly, an essential finishing tool for this reversible design.

Pattern Modifications

The pattern includes a dedicated "Modifications" section for adjusting the cowl size, allowing knitters to customize the finished dimensions to suit individual preferences or yarn availability.

Super Bulky Mawer Cowl

What is Being Made

The pattern document also includes instructions for a Super Bulky Mawer Cowl variation, offering an alternative construction using heavier yarn for a quicker project with a more substantial fabric weight.

Yarn Weight

This variation is worked in super chunky yarn, a significantly heavier weight than the primary design, resulting in a faster knitting experience and a more textured, voluminous finished cowl.