Lovely Ribbed Cowl

I came to the surprising realization last winter that I am someone who prefers a cowl to a scarf. Perhaps it's because I live in a drafty old house and always want something toasty around my neck, something that stays put, something chic and easy, something that doesn't find its way into the soup I'm making or the dog food I'm pouring!

So I decided to make a cowl that is as simple to knit as it is to wear. I love the idea of a vertically ribbed cowl that gently hugs your neck like your favorite turtleneck sweater. However, one thing I definitely didn't want was a whiplash collar, so this cowl is knit in a relaxed gauge that creates soft, billowing ripples. With a very loose bind off, it subtly widens at the bottom for an easy and totally comfy fit. Beginners will love the do-able challenge, and old pros will appreciate the late-night-movie no-brainer!

The simplicity of this pattern serves as a great platform for gorgeous yarn. I spent a lot of time talking through the options with all of our wonderful knitters at Purl Soho. Yarn aficionado, Faye, suggested one of our all time favorites, Blue Sky's Suri Merino. With its wonderful drape, soft halo and palette of lovely vintage colors, everything about Suri Merino is perfect for this Lovely Ribbed Cowl!

Be cozy! -Page

The Materials

• Exactly 2 skeins of Blue Sky's Suri Merino, 60% baby suri and 40% merino. This color is Earth.
• US #7, 20-inch circular needles
• A US #8 knitting needle: circular, straight or even double pointed (for binding off)
• Stitch marker (or scrap yarn)

The Pattern

Gauge

8 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in 2 x 2 rib (unstretched)

Finished Size

16 inches high and 18 inches in circumference (unstretched)

Begin

With the smaller circular needle, cast on 156 stitches.

Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 16 inches from the cast on edge.

Using the larger needle, bind off loosley in rib pattern. (Using a bigger needle for the bind off causes that edge to flare out slightly, giving your cowl some pretty, subtle shaping. Make sure to wear your cowl with the bind off edge at the bottom and the cast on edge at the top.)

Weave in the ends and you're done!

Comments

[Yarnvixen]

Can you please define the weight of the yarn specified? Is it DK weight?

[Melissa]

I have size six circular needles already. Can the pattern be adapted for smaller needles?

[purl bee]

Hi Melissa-

Needle size is always a suggestion rather than a firm direction. The important thing with any pattern is that you're getting the same gauge. In this case the gauge is 8.5 stitches per inch in the pattern. If you can get that wil your size 6 needles you're in the clear! Otherwise you can always just cast on more stitches in a simple pattern like this, just make sure you cast on a multiple of 4.

Thanks you for your question!

Molly

[cheryl]

hi, i would love to make this for my 4 and 6 year old daughter, any suggestions on how many stitches to cast on to scale it down? thanks, cheryl

[purl bee]

Hi Cheryl-

Figure out how large (in inches) you'd like the circumference of the cowl to be. Then multiple that number by 8.5 (the stitches per inch), round to the nearest multiple of 4 and that's how many stitches you will be casting on.

For instance, if you'd like the cowl to be 15-inches around:
15 X 8.5 (stitches per inch)= 127.5 rounded to the nearest multiple of 4= 128 stitches to cast on.

You will also need to make sure that you are using a circular needle small enough to fit your circumference. Circular needles come in lengths as short as 8-inches. You can see our selection here:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles

Please let us know if you need any more help and thanks for your question!

Molly

[RosieB]

Hi! Fabulous and simple pattern. It looks just right to get back into knitting. But as an English knitter could you give me ideas on how much a USA skein weighs/measures? Much appreciated

[purl bee]

Hi Yarnvixen-

This is a DK weight yarn. Thank you so much for your question- sorry it took a couple of days to get back to you!

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Rosie B-

All of the info on this yarn can be found here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3059-Blue-Sky-Suri-Merino

Thanks so much for writing in and please let us know if you need any more help!

Best-

Molly

[Agata]

Very nice and beginner-friendy pattern :) But here's my problem: I have four skeins of nice yarn (baby alpaca + silk) but it seems to be slightly thinner than in the pattern... 167m per 50g, recommended needle size US 4. Should I change the number of cast-on stitches or needle size? Thanks.

[Margaret]

I can't seem seem to find 20 inch circular knitting needles. Do you think 24 inch would be ok to use?

[Taryn]

This will be my first attempt using a circular needle. Will a #7 24 inch work for this pattern?

[purl bee]

Hello Margaret and Tatyn-

Unfortunately a 24-inch needle will be too long for this project. We are currently sold out of the #7 in the 20-inch length but they should be back in stock soon. Please email customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com if you'd like to be informed when they are back.

Or alternatively, you could use a 16-inch length.

Thank you for your questions!

Molly

[KJ Heald]

Hi,
I cannot find the US #7 in the 20 inch length. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[purl bee]

Hi KJ-

You could use a 16-inch #7. Or if you would like to be informed when we get the 20-inch length back please drop us a line at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com.

Thank you!

Molly

[Chris]

I'd love to make a smaller version of this for my grandchildren as well. So I measured their heads at the largest diameter (20" each child) and neck diameter (10" each child), so what should I target for my stitch count? I do understand how to do the calculation, I'm just not sure if I make it to fit the neck and just assume that it will stretch to fit over their heads easily because it's ribbed? Is that a reasonable assumption?

[purl bee]

Hi Chris-

It will stretch easily around their heads but I'd aim for a circumference in between the head and neck size- perhaps 14 or 15-inches?

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Alison]

This is a beautiful cowl. Can you suggest any other yarns that might work besides the suri merino? thank you

[purl bee]

Hi Alison-

There are several other options that would work beautifully!

Manos Silk and Wool: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3625-Manos-Del-Uruguay-Silk-Blend-Semi-Solids

6 Ply Cashmere: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3744-Jade-Sapphire-Zageo-6-ply-Cashmere

Koigu Kersti: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/870-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Kersti-Merino-Crepe-Solids

Madeline Tosh DK: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8640-Madelinetosh-Tosh-Merino-DK

Please let us know if you have any more questions!

-Molly

[Birgitte]

Hello! I have just discovered this fantastic blog!! There are so many great and inspiring knitting and sewing patterns - I don´t know where to start and stop ... I have just finished the cowl and it is so soft and beautiful. I think I will be wearing it every day (and night) throughout the ice cold Norwegian winter. Thank you! Love, Birgitte

[Val Hall]

I just finished your "Eleventh Hour Scarf", it came out beautiful. I am now ready for this cowl, but don't want more wool around my neck. I just found your alternative..Jade Sapphire Zageo 6-ply cashmere. I love the new gorgeous "Primordial". The pattern calls for 328 yards total, this new color comes in 150 yds. If I get two skeins there is a 28 yd deficit. Do I have to buy a third skein? At $50 per skein that would put it out of reach for me.

[purl bee]

Hi Val Hall-

You can probably get by without getting a third skein. You might want to cast on less stitches. Just make sure that you cast on a multiple of 4. It also might not be quite as tall but it will still be totally beautiful!

Thank you!

Molly