This bright blue cowl is short and chunky and inspired by traditional designs knitted by assorted fishing communities around the UK coast. According to stories, each fishing port had its own pattern so those lost at sea could be reunited with their homes. This cowl is ideal for beginners as a first project in the round.
Skill Level: Beginner
Size: 21 1/3 (24 1/3)” long x 6 ¾” wide; Shown in size 24 1/3”
Gauge: 10.5 sts and 19 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st
Materials
Yarn:
Rico Essentials Big (50% virgin wool, 50% acrylic; 52 yards [48 meters]/50 grams): #035 Azure (2 balls)
Needles: US size 7.0 mm 16” circular needles
Notions: Markers, tapestry needle
Special Stitches
Cromarty Stitch Pattern
Smaller Size Only
Rnd 1: *K6, p1, k7; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *K5, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 3: *K4, p1, k3, p1, k5; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: *K3, p1, k5, p1, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: *K2, p1, k7, p1, k3; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: *K1, p1, k9, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Larger Size Only
Rnd 1: *K6, p1, k7, p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *K5, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 3: *K4, p1, k3, p1, k5, p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: *K3, p1, k5, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: *K2, p1, k7, p1, k3, p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: *K1, p1, k9, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up.
The cowl begins with a simple seed stitch border, followed by a simple textured design created solely using knit and purl stitches and featuring seed stitch columns and arrows.
Pattern
CO 56 (64) sts. Join in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches, pm at start of round.
Lower Border
Rnds 1 and 3: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4 (smaller size only): *K13, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4 (larger size only): *K13, p1, k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Main Body
Work the Cromarty Stitch Pattern across all sts 4 times (24 rows worked in total).
Upper Border
Rnd 1 (smaller size only): K.
Rnd 1 (larger size only): *K14, p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnds 2 and 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 3: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
BO all sts loosely in pattern.
Finishing
Darn in all ends. Wash the cowl in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, squeezing out any excess water. Lay flat to dry.