Making Your Own Cowl on the Fly - A Tutorial

I started a tutorial a couple of weeks ago but due to some technical difficulties with my blog host and elapsed time, I've put it all together in one post for you.

Using a stitch dictionary and especially one that gives you converted stitch patterns for in the round  knitting such as Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary (just came out), you can make a simple cowl on the fly without a written pattern. These make great gifts because you don't really need to know a person's measurements for it to fit.

Most cowls measure about the same as a cap--about 22 - 23 inches. But if you want a bigger one that someone could loop around their neck a couple of times, just take a length of yarn or even a tape measure and try it on, make note of your desired measurement and then go shopping through your stitch dictionary for some stitch patterns!

Once you've done some shopping, it's time to get some great yarn that you'd like to use and do some swatching. I had a braid of Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico in the Silver colorway. I had just one skein, so I decided that I'd do some swatching and shoot for a small-ish cowl, one that measures maybe only 22 inches around.

I made two swatches, but this is the one that won. It's the Checks pattern that appears on page 206 in the Lace chapter of Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary.

After washing and blocking the swatch, it was time to measure.

Not including the two-stitch garter stitch edging on each side of the swatch, I got 18 stitches to four inches' worth of knitting, which is four and a half stitches per inch. The Checks stitch pattern is a six-stitch repeat and I wanted to make a cowl that measures about 22 inches around.

Therefore, what I did is multiply 22 inches by four and a half stitches: 22 x 4.5 = 99 stitches.

The thing is, 99 stitches is not divisible by six (the stitch multiple required). I then fiddled around to find a number close enough to 99 that has a matching multiple. The closest number I could find was 102, because I'd rather round up than down with this cowl.

Here is my resulting cowl pattern: Cast on 102 stitches and join in the round (using the same size needle as I used on my gauge swatch); place a marker and work 3 x 3 rib for a few rounds.

Why did I choose 3 x 3 rib? Well, the Checks pattern, if you look at it, has three knit stitches and three purl stitches that are grouped together. To me, it makes total sense to pair that rib with the stitch pattern.

Then, I worked as many pattern repeats as I wanted to--or until it seemed long enough, which turned out to be three and a half--and then finshed up with a few more rounds of 3 x 3 ribbing. I cast off in pattern and, voila!

I hope you make lots of cowls using this simple recipe! Happy Knitting!

Comments

[Diane in Northerm CA]

I can't wait for my next LYS visit in order to purchase your book "Up Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary". This tutorial is inspiring me to stash dive and swatch for some Christmas gifts!

Diane
Ravelry: Northsideknitter

[Robin Allen]

Great tutorial. Looks like the elapsed time happened at the beach. :-)

[Sue]

I just bought "Up,Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary". I LOVE it!!! Thank you so much for writing this book Wendy. I love knitting top down, in the round and have spent hours converting patterns in the past. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
I will be spreading the word about how great your book is :-)
regards Sue (Suzyknits on Rav)

[PurrlGurrl]

I've made a bunch of cowls and infinity scarves and I don't knit any in the round. I simply knit a scarf and sew the ends together. This gives me total freedom to use just about any stitch pattern for a cowl or infinity scarf. No need to search for or convert stitch patterns to "in the round". But then, I'm a lever-style knitter so back and forth knitting is fast and easy for me.

I've done cowls where I've knit the pattern vertically, but sometimes I knit the stitch pattern horizontally (on a humongous number of stitches; sewing the "sides" together). I never bother with provisional cast ons.

After blocking the seams look great. They're easy to do because your just joining the same number of stitches or rows so no complicated fitting needed, just one-to-one seaming.

[Chloe]

Boy are you tempting me. I love the DIY designing aspect of this.

[GerryART]

I appreciate your explanation of how to make a cowl
Involving a favorite stitch pattern.
Simple enough that casting on is a joy

Found your website via Susan B Andersob
Hugs