This cowl uses the simple and whimsical cabled owl motif in different sizes to represent the “Owl Family.” Each owl in the family is unique, created using different cable stitches. It’s a great way for a beginning cable knitter to learn and practice those different cable stitches in a simple formation.

It’s a neck warmer style cowl that hugs the neck, without constricting, and provides just that little extra warmth over your back and shoulders. I hope you enjoy this design. HAPPY KNITTING

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Yarn

Your choice of light worsted weight yarn, approximately 140 to 180 yards

Needles

US Size 8 (5.0 mm) circular, or size needed to obtain gauge in stockinette stitch in the rnd.

Gauge

While gauge is less critical here than if you were making something more fitted, like a sweater, you should be in the approximate range of 20 stitches for 4 inches.

Size

One size fits most – As shown unblocked/unstretched, cowl is approximately 20 inches in circumference. Height is 9 inches.

Notions

2 stitch markers (you may want to use different colors for the BOR and motif markers), tapestry needle, cable needle, beads or buttons for eyes (optional).

Abbreviations

CO	cast on
BO	bind off
BOR	beginning of rnd
k	knit
p	purl
pm	place marker
ktbl	knit through back loop
rnd(s)	round(s)
1/1 LC	Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in front; k1; k1 from cable needle.
1/1 RC	Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back; k1; k1 from cable needle.
2/2 LC	Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; k2; k2 from cable needle.
2/2 LPC	Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; p2; k2 from cable needle.
2/2 RPC	Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back; k2; p2 from cable needle.
3/2 LC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; k2; k3 from cable needle.
3/2 LPC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; p2; k3 from cable needle.
3/2 RC	Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back; k3; k2 from cable needle.
3/2 RPC	Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back; k3; p2 from cable needle.
3/3 LC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; k3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 LPC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front; p3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back; k3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RPC	Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back; k3; p3 from cable needle.

Pattern Notes

• The fit is one size fits most, but you can make the cowl larger or smaller in circumference by either changing your needle size up or down, or adding or deleting some of the ribbing (in 4-stitch increments) along the back. You can also make the cowl longer at the bottom by adding a few more rows at the beginning, to give you a longer drape over the neck and shoulders.
• The chart and written instructions are ONLY for the motif section between the two markers. The rest of the cowl is worked in K2/P2 ribbing

Owl Family Cowl Instructions

To begin, CO 128 stitches. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist. K2, pm. (This will be your BOR marker and your beginning motif marker). (P2, K2) 12 times, P2, pm (ending motif marker). Work K2/P2 ribbing back to your BOR marker.

Maintaining K2/P2 ribbing pattern, continue in this manner for approximately 1.5 inches. If you want a bit more drape around your neck and shoulders, you can add a few more rnds.

Begin Rnd 1 of the chart or written instructions for the Owl Family Motif section This section is worked between the markers only. Continue working the back and sides of the cowl in K2/P2 ribbing.

Chart

Key

Owl Family Motif Written Instructions

Rnds 1-2: P2, [k2, p2] 12 times (50 sts).

Rnd 3: [P2, k2] 11 times, p2, k1, p3.

Rnd 4: [P2, k2] 11 times, p6 .

Rnd 5: [P2, k2] 10 times, p2, k1.

Rnds 6-7: [P2, k2] 10 times, p10.

Rnd 8: [P2, k2] 9 times, p2, k1, p3, k2, p6.

Rnd 9: P2, [k2, p2] 8 times, [k2, p6] twice.

Rnd 10: [P2, k2] 9 times, p5, k4, p5.

Rnd 11: [P2, k2] 8 times, p2, k1, p5, k6, p4.

Rnd 12: [P2, k2] 8 times, p5, 3/3 RPC, 3/3 LPC, p1.

Rnds 13-14: [P2, k2] 8 times, [p5, k3, p1] twice.

Rnd 15: P2, [k2, p2] 7 times, k1, p1, [p5, k3, p1] twice.

Rnds 16-17: [P2, k2] 7 times, p4, [p5, k3, p1] twice.

Rnd 18: [P2, k2] 6 times, p2, k1, p5, [p5, k3, p1] twice.

Rnd 19: [P2, k2] 6 times, p12, [p1, k5, p1] twice.

Rnd 20: P2, [k2, p2] 5 times, [k2, p4] twice, p3, k12, p1.

Rnd 21: [P2, k2] 5 times, p2, k1, p4, k4, p6, 3/3 RC, 3/3 LC, p1.

Rnd 22: [P2, k2] 5 times, p4, 3/2 RC, 3/2 LC, p3, k12, p1.

Rnd 23: [P2, k2] 5 times, p4, k10, p3, k4, 1/1 RC, 1/1 LC, k4, p1.

Rnd 24: [P2, k2] 4 times, p2, k1, p2, [p3, k10] twice, k2, p1.

Rnd 25: [P2, k2] 4 times, p8, k10, p3, k3, 1/1 RC, k2, 1/1 LC, k3, p1.

Rnd 26: [P2, k2] 4 times, p5, [p3, k10] twice, k2, p1.

Rnd 27: [P2, k2] 3 times, p2, k1, p9, k10, p3, 3/3 RPC, 3/3 LPC, p1.

Rnd 28: P2, [k2, p2] twice, [k2, p4] twice, p2, k7, [k3, p3] twice, p3, k3, p1.

Rnd 29: [P2, k2] 3 times, p1, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, p3, 3/2 RC, 3/2 LC, p3, ktbl twice, p8, ktbl twice, p1.

Rnd 30: [P2, k2] twice, [p2, k1] twice, k7, p3, k10, p3, ktbl, p10, ktbl, p1.

Rnd 31: P2, [k2, p2] twice, [p3, k8] twice, k2, p16.

Rnd 32: [P2, k2] twice, p5, k8, p3, k2, 1/1 RC, k2, 1/1 LC, k2, p16.

Rnd 33: P2, k1, [k1, p2] twice, p1, [p3, k8] twice, k2, p16.

Rnd 34: P2, k2, p9, k8, p3, 3/2 RPC, 3/2 LPC, p16.

Rnd 35: P2, k2, p9, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, [p3, k2, p3] twice, p13.

Rnd 36: P2, k1, p10, k8, [p3, k1, p5] twice, p11.

Rnd 37: P13, [k2, ktbl] twice, k2, p29.

Rnd 38: P13, k8, p29.

Rnd 39: P13, 2/2 RPC, 2/2 LPC, p29.

Rnd 40: P9, [p4, ktbl twice] twice, p29.

Rnd 41: P7, [p6, ktbl] twice, p29.

Rnd 42: P50.

Rnds 43-47: P2, [k2, p2] 12 times .

Finishing

BO in your preferred method, weave in ends, and enjoy. If desired, you may attach beads or small buttons for the eyes.

About the Designer: Helen L. Silva

My mother taught me to knit, crochet, sew, embroider, hook, needlepoint, and a host of other craft type pursuits when I was very young (over 50 years ago now). She was a very talented lady.
I did all these things on and off for most of my life. But always liked knitting with cables particularly. I started making cabled pillows for gifts, and when I saw the Celtic Snowflakes collection by Devorgilla’s Knitting (sometimes…) I became entranced, joined Ravelry, and have had many lovely cable adventures since.
I generally tend to find a motif I like, then incorporate it into another item, such as a hat, scarf, mitts, etc. I like to do smallish projects, because I like to see fast results.