Sweet Stitching with Erin: Bandana Cowl

Working at Purl Soho, I have a front row seat to the parade of effortlessly chic people that give our neighborhood its renowned style. From here I can report that, for men and women alike, this season's prevailing trend in neckwear is the bandana. Jauntily tied around the neck, it tops off everything from Sunday's T-shirt and jeans to Friday's night-on-the-town dress! The bandana is a sassy, casual touch that suggests that the wearer possesses an innate stylishness. It's the perfect accessory for those cool mornings when you've hit snooze a few too many times and need to turn "thrown-together-in-a-rush" into "casually glamourous"!

My Bandana Cowl is inspired by my desire to make "effortlessly chic" even more effortless. I was so excited to create something with the same freshness as the tied bandana but without the fiddly aspect of actually having to tie anything! 

I chose to make my Cowl out of Swan's Island Bulky, a brand new yarn made from a beautiful blend of undyed merino and alpaca that feels wonderfully soft against the skin. The yarn creates a dense, rich fabric that's cuddly perfection for the chilly days of fall!

It was hard to choose just one of the many beautiful yarns we have here at Purl Soho; some options I considered are, from the top: Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Worsted in Firefly, Madeline Tosh'sTosh Merino in Butter, Manos' Maxima in Highlighter, Anzula's Inyo in Au Natural, Brooklyn Tweed'sShelter in Fossil, and Cascade's Eco Cloud in Silver Mink. 

If you'd like to make your own Bandana Cowl, you can find the pattern right here. Thanks! --Erin

Comments

[Erin N.]

It's so, so perfect!

[Lindsay Jewell]

I'm so making this.

[stephanie b]

this looks like the perfect holiday gift! This and a pair of color block mitts and a pretty bag. Perfect!

[Aja]

So pretty and simple, my favorite kind of knit!

[petra]

this is a horrible pattern. I just imposed a rule that I need to finish this cardigan before I am allowed to start anything new. Now the only way to stop myself from running for the needles and cozy yarn and make this cowl is to try to convince myself that this is indeed a rather horrible pattern.... without success. I mean it is just a cowl... my cardigan will not be delayed by much, right?

[Spalva]

Oh yeah! My 11 year-old is gonna dig this one. Christmas present! What color goes with her new hot-pink-splashed bangs and neon green Chucks?

[balzac]

Cool! Cool! Cool! Thank you for this incredible pattern!

[Maja]

Oh wow! Just what I needed for this winter!!!

[Liz]

I couldn't stop thinking about this pattern once I saw it. Today I stopped by Purl Soho earlier today to pick up yarn to make this and tomorrow, after the chores are done and the kidlets are in bed, I will begin. (Yes, this is putting my son's pullover on hold, but it will be quick, right?)

[Ruth Anne]

Whipped one of these out in a skein of red and grey, our school colors, for next week's football game! It won't be my last, I love this pattern!

[DWJ]

I learned how to knit this spring and have been working towards learning new stitches and challenging myself. I was so proud of myself for completing this one in a day with some yarn I already had. YAY! And I'm making a trip to NYC in November and I HAVE to stop by the store.

[Monique]

So pretty and simple, ideal for this winter !

I'm french ... I love all your projects ! this blog : colors, contents, comments ...

It's a pleasure to receive regularly new posts !

[susan]

I'm missing something. I'm familiar with all the stitches, but after doing short rows until "3 stitches remain b/w wraps", the cowl was over a foot long and that was BEFORE I "finished the short rows" and began the next round. Is there an error in the pattern? I can complete 35-40 short rows or so and come out with a product that works, but would like to know what the original "plan" was.

[amanda]

I LOVE this but can't knit :( Does it translate to crochet?

[sky]

I'm with Susan -- working til 3 stitches remain gave me the same, gigantic results. I frogged back a ways, and only put one row between the decreases... it looks alright, though I am confused about what was intended, and mine looks nowhere near as cute as the featured pics... a bit disappointing.

[rakkie]

well i fall in love with this pattern!
i'm from belgium and don't knit often in "english" so
i was confused too with the short rows (my first ones)
but start with 3 and stop with 3 ?????
or my english is bad (it is :)) or there is something wrong.
please explain it
many thanks

[Laurie]

Love this cowl but was a bit confused in the pattern. On the last row of the short rows I understand you end with a purl row. On that last purl row after your last " pick up wrapped stitch, p 1, wrap and turn" you continue to knit around to the marker..... picking up wrapped stitch is no problem for the first wrapped stitch that you come to before the marker but after the marker what do you do when you come to the next one? This next one would be the last purl wrap.