I have a weakness for alpaca yarn, and this cowl came about as a soft, fluffy, and warm wrap for my sister in law this Christmas. I might have to buy more yarn and make one for myself!
The cowl is shown looped around the neck only once. However, it's long enough to be doubled for a different look or for extra warmth around the face.
Softly Cabled Cowl (knitting pattern)
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky, 2 skeins (216 yards total)
Needles: Size 11 double points or 16-inch cable needle
Gauge: 15 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
(note: I used all but about 3 yards of the yarn, so if you up the gauge, plan on fewer repeats or buy a third skein).
- Using a provisional method, cast on 48 stitches.
- Place marker, and join to knit in the round.
- Knit 7 rounds.
- Cable row: *K4, place 4 stitches on cable needle and hold to back, K4, K4 from cable needle. Repeat from * 3 times more.
- Knit 14 rounds.
- On the 15th round, repeat cable row.
- Repeat these 15 rows 9 times.
- After completing the 9th cable row, knit 7 rounds.
- (At this point the cowl should measure about 34 inches in length.)
- Undo the provisional cast on and join the cowl in a continuous loop using the kitchener stitch.
5 comments:
Hello,
This is a beautiful pattern, but how do you join the cowl in a continuous loop? I'm still a beginner, and this is really confusing!
Thanks,
Viviane :)
Hi Viviane,
The stitch used to join the two ends is called kitchener stitch or grafting. It's often used to close the toe of a sock or the tip of a mitten. Basically you use a needle and your yarn to join to live rows of stitches. You'll pull them off the needle and waste yarn a stitch at a time. You might want to practice on two small swatches before attempting it on the cowl. It's not so bad once you get the hang of it!
Good luck.
Check out this video: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips
Oh, sorry, after you follow that link, you have to scroll down to "kitchener stitch" in the "Finishing" section.
I'm taking it that the scarf itself is basically a "tube" and that you connect the tube together to make a loop? I'm confused. And wondering!
Yes! It is indeed a tube. A tube of knitting in the round, joined by grafting. If you stuffed the interior it'd be a donut. Well, a donut with a cabled surface, but you get the idea.
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