Amy Gropp Forbes of Eclectic Mom: Braided Cowl for Kids
Although it is hard to imagine, fall is right around the corner, and nothing beats a cozy hand knit cowl for keeping you warm. I particularly like cowls for kids; they look great and somehow seem easier to manage than a scarf.
This is a perfect project for a weekend away... it takes just one skein of yarn and only a few hours to knit. The chunky yarn and simple braid add lots of texture, and I just love Blue Sky Worsted with its subtle hand dyed variations and super soft touch! Enjoy! - Amy of Eclectic Mom
The Materials
- 1 skein Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dye, 50% Royal Alpaca and 50% Merino. This color is Dungaree Blue.
- A US #11, 16-inch circular needle
- Three stitch markers (optional)
- Split ring stitch markers (Optional: I use these to count the rounds. Since I tend to lose track of how many plain rounds I have knit, I hang a split ring marker on the beginning-of-the-round-marker each time I complete a round.)
The Pattern
Gauge
Finished Size
Pattern Note: How to Work the Braided Cable
The entire braided cable is worked over 9 stitches, but for the two rounds it takes to form the cable, you will only work 6 stitches at a time. The other 3 stitches are knit either before or after the cable, depending on which round you're working.
CABLE 6 FRONT ("C6F")
Slip next 3 stitches onto cable stitch holder and bring to front of work...
... knit next 3 stitches from the left needle...
...and then knit the 3 stitches from the cable stitch holder.
CABLE 6 BACK ("C6B")
Slip next 3 stitches onto cable stitch holder and bring to back of work...
... knit next 3 stitches from the left needle...
...and then knit the 3 stitches from the cable stitch holder.
Begin
Cast on 63 stitches.
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Round 1: K24, place a marker, p3, k9, p3, knit to end of round.
Round 2: Knit to first marker, p3, C6F (see note above), k3, p3, knit to end of round.
Rounds 3-5: Knit to first marker, p3, k9, p3, knit to end of round.
Round 6: Knit to first marker, p3, k3, C6B (see note above), p3, knit to end of round.
Rounds 7-9: Repeat Rounds 3-5.
Repeat rows 2-9 five more times.
Repeat Rounds 2-7 one time.
Loosely bind off knitwise.
Weave in the ends and ta da!
August 26, 2012
Reader Comments (13)
if it needs to be made larger, how many stitches would you recommend casting on so that the cables will still work out right?
looks like fun to knit.
The cowls I made fit all of us - they are drapier on the boys but are comfortable on Adam (my husband) and I as well. If a loose cowl is desired I would recommend adding stitches in 4's (2 before the cable and 2 after). Each additional 4 stitches will add just over an inch to the circumference but it will also mean that the cowl will not be as long unless you buy a second skein of yarn.
Amy
I don't think I would decrease the number of stitches in the pattern for a toddler, however I might make the cowl a couple inches shorter. I tried one of ours on my nephew who is only a year and a half and it was very cute on him but the length made it bunch up quite a bit around his face which could definitely bother a young child. If you keep the circumference it will also allow the child to wear the cowl for many years.
Amy
Do you think this pattern would still work without the braid? I'm a real beginner....
Thanks!
Jennifer
Of course! The only thing to be aware of is that since stockinette stitch rolls, the edges of your cowl will roll at the top and bottom. The braid prevents it from rolling too much. If you do not want the cowl to roll you can knit the first row, purl the second and repeat this pattern for a few rounds. It will give you a garter stitch border that does not roll. Repeat the border when the cowl is almost complete to prevent the top from curling too. And another small thing is that the cable or braid pulls the fabric in some, so without it, the finished circumference is going to be a bit larger.
Thanks,
Amy
Any heavy worsted weight yarn will work.
Eco Cloud would be soft and lofty: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8065-Cascade-Yarns-Eco-Cloud
Blue Sky Worsted Cotton would be great for anyone who has a wool allergy:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/721-Blue-Sky-Worsted-Cotton
Or Spud and Chloe worsted for a soft wool and cotton mix that comes in great colors! http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/5886-Spud-Chloe-Sweater
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you need any more help!
Molly
the instructions say to repeat rows 2-9 5 more times and then to do rows 2-7 once.
from the picture, it appears that the repeat was done a total of 5 times and not 5 times more. i only ask because im getting very low on yarn to finish.
thanks
i went as far as i could (maybe 3 repeats) and then ended on rows 1-7 with a bindoff.
its 10" rather than 11", but it looks good.
just wondering if anyone else encountered this problem.
great pattern indeed! I am thinking that it would be also nice to make a rib stitch instead of the stockinette. If not to the whole cowl maybe just besides the braid. Do you think I should increase the number of the stitches?
Georgia
You will probably want to increase the stitches. The only way to tell is to do a swatch in the rib that you'd like to use and figure out your gauge.
Thanks so much for writing in!
Molly