Materials for Cowl

 

yarn - You'll need about 250-350 yards of lace weight yarn or fingering weight yarn.  I used Lobster Pot 2-ply Cashmere, an absolutely amazing hand-dyed cashmere.  The way to audition yarns for this project is by holding them up under your chin and feeling how soft they are.

 

circular needles -  This project is knit in the round.  I suppose you could also knit it back and forth on straight needles and then sew it together. I used Addi Turbo 16" circular needles in US size 8.

I also used a stitch marker to help me find the beginning of the round. 

Comments

[Janice]

I want to make this cowl but I started last evening and I must have cast on too tightly since my 16 inch circulars seemed to be too long and it was just impossible to navigate. Can some one help me?
janice

[purl bee]

Dear Janice,
I would recommend pulling it out an re-casting on much looser. You can cast on to a larger needle (a size 10 even) and then knit it onto the size 8. You won't want a tight edge on your cowl when its all done. Hope this helps! --Joelle

[Jane]

This is one of my next projects and the first thing I have ever knit in the round. So excuse my silly questions, but how do you join the two ends of your cast on together? Also, I am not sure I understand what you mean about twisting your stitches and making sure it is not just spiraling around the needle.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jane

[purl bee]

Hi Jane,
There is a very helpful video at this link that will probably answer most of your questions. The video you want to watch is called "Large Diameter Circular Knitting". If you need more help just let us know!
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques

[Rami]

Dear Joelle

I would just like to clarify that the choice of needles is deliberate to obtain a looser knit, despite using yarn (lace weight 2 ply)?
Can the cowl be pulled over the head, or do you need to knit it longer?

Thank you
Rami

[purl bee]

Hi Rami,
Yes, the larger needle creates a looser gauge. This yarn looks beautiful knit anywhere from a 3 to an 8. It's a bit short to pull over your head and neck together, so you may want to use 2 skeins.

[Krissy]

Hi,

I was wondering if you could let us know the name of the colorway used for for this cowl. Thanks!

[Diane]

I found the answer to my question about the lenght of the circular needles. 16''