Modern English Cowl pattern

(no, I don't know why I have such a pained expression on my face)

Materials:

1 skein Patons Classic Wool in color 77532 Cognac Heather (I don't recommend using this particular yarn - it is super itchy and too uncomfortable for a cowl).  This would also be beautiful in a bulky yarn and would be wide enough to fit around the shoulders then fall into a cowl at the neck.

#8 needles (or the proper needles for your yarn)

Cable needle

and stitch markers will make this easier :)

Directions:

Cast on 44 stitches.  I used a provisional cast on, then used the three needle bind off to seam the cowl (which I don't really like the look of).  You could also use the cast on of your choice and just sew the seam at the end.  This might actually look better.  Another option would be to incorporate buttons into the design.  You could cast on as you choose, and I think the lace openings (where the double yarnovers are) of the pattern  could serve as buttonholes for 1/2" to 3/4" buttons.

Follow the chart pattern to the right for cowl pattern.  This is a jpeg.  You should be able to double-click on it, then save it and resize it for viewing and printing (let me know if this doesn't work).  Knitting might be easier if you put stitch markers where the bold lines are in the pattern.  For a demo of how to do the double yarnover, see my video here.

  I did 8 repeats of the 24 row pattern for my cowl.  If you want the cowl to be big enough to fit over you shoulders, do 9 repeats or use bulky yarn.  When length is finished, repeat rows 1 and 2.  Then bind off.  If you want to add buttons, I would suggest knitting 4-6 rows of garter (depending on the size of your buttons) before binding off as a buttonband.

Blocking:

A short story:  When I first knit this, I soaked it and blocked it, stretching it to 21 inches (already seamed into a cowl) to fit around my shoulders.  When it dried and I tried it on, I felt it was limp and the cables had lost some of their, well, cable-ness (see photo to the right).  So I frogged it and knit it all over again.  In the photos you see here, I have not blocked it again and I don't plan to.  I'm going to wear it as is. 

Moral of the story:  Be careful not to over-block the cables :)

I hope you enjoy this pattern.  I'm excited to wear my new cowl when the weather gets cold!!