Ulchabháin is the Irish word for owls. The cowl is named for the pairs of owls which adorn this cozy Aran weight cowl, perfect for frosty autumn evenings. Yarn used in this design is organic merino Aran weight from Dharma Dyeworks, an Irish Indie dyer.
Size
S (M, L) Finished circumference 25 (29, 33)” by 12 (13, 14).” (64, (74, 84) by 30 (32.5, 35) cm)
Shown in size Small.
Schematic
Yarn
Dharma Dyeworks (Organic Merino Aran Weight; 181 yards [166 meters]/100 grams): Ruby Slippers (MC), 1 (1, 1) ball; A Soft Day (CC), 1 (1, 1) ball.
Needles
Size US 7 (4.5 mm): 24” (60cm) circular
Size US 8 (5 mm): 24” (60cm) circular
Notions
12 markers; tapestry needle.
Gauge
16 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Abbreviations
Please see our standard abbreviations.
SR: Short row shaping using the German Short Row method. See tutorial here.
Slip Stitch ribbing: With MC *K1, Sl 1 wyb* rep until end of rnd. With CC, *Sl 1 wyib, p1* rep until end of rnd. Note; two rounds are worked to create 1 round in pattern.
Two color cast on: Holding both yarns together make a slip knot and place on needle, this stitch is not counted in stitch count. Hold needle in right hand and yarns in left (just like a long-tail CO). *With MC, CO 1 st. Switch yarns by bringing the yarn in the front UNDER the other yarn. With CC, CO 1 st. Switch yarns by bringing the yarn in the front UNDER the other yarn.* Rep from * to * until you have correct amount of sts. Slip the double knot off the needle before joining in the round. After a few rounds have been worked, the slip knot can be pulled. See our step-by-step tutorial here..
Charts
Small Cowl
Medium Cowl
Large Cowl
Pattern Notes
This two color cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up. The border edge is worked in two color slip stitch ribbing before short rows shape the cowl, creating a narrower back and a generous front. The owl motif is worked in Fair Isle colorwork in the round using two colors before more short rows and two color slip stitch ribbing complete the cowl. The pattern gives two options for cast ons, please use your preference.
Pattern
Option 1: Two color cast on
CO 112 (128, 144) sts using a two color cast on and smaller needles. Join in the rnd, be careful not to twist stitches. Pm to mark BOR.
Ribbing
Work 8 rnds in two color slip stitch ribbing.
Option 2: Single color cast on
CO 112 (128, 144) sts using MC and smaller needles. Join in the rnd, be careful not to twist stitches. Pm to mark BOR.
Ribbing
*MC k1, CC k1* rep until end of rnd
Work 7 rnds in two color ribbing.
Both options now use the same instructions,
Short row shaping (worked flat)
Row 1 (RS): With MC and larger needles, k5, pm, k until 5 sts rem, turn work.
Row 2: SR, p4, pm, p to marker, turn.
Row 3: SR, k4, pm, k to marker, turn.
Rep rows 2 and 3 four more times.
Rep row 2 once more.
Next rnd: SR, k to end of rnd, remember to knit each “double st” as a single stitch and remove all markers as you come to them.
Next rnd: Knit; remember to knit each “double st” as a single stitch and removing markers.
Work Charts
Set up rnd: K 28 (32, 36) pm; four times
Rnd 1 and the following 27, (32, 37) rnds: Work appropriate rnd of chart for your size, sm; four times.
Short row shaping
Row 1 (RS): With MC, k5, pm, k until 5 sts rem, turn work.
Row 2: SR, p4, pm, p to marker, turn.
Row 3: SR, k4, pm, k to marker, turn.
Rep rows 2 and 3 four more times.
Rep row 2 once more.
Next rnd: SR, k to end of rnd, remember to knit each “double st” as a single stitch and remove all markers as you come to them.
Next rnd: Knit; remember to knit each “double st” as a single stitch.
Ribbing
Change to smaller needles
Next rnd: With *MC k1, CC k1, rep from * until end of rnd.
Work 7 rnds as above.
BO in pattern.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.
About the Designer: Ciara Ní Reachtnín
Ciara Ní Reachtnín is an Irish designer living in the wilds of the West of Ireland with her four children, husband and two crazy dogs.
When not knitting, Ciara is busy with her day job as a multi-grade primary school teacher. She also hates writing bios.
[…] The two color cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up. The border edge is worked in two color slip stitch ribbing before short rows shape the cowl, creating a narrower back and a generous front. The owl motif is worked in Fair Isle colorwork in the round using two colors before more short rows and two color slip stitch ribbing complete the cowl. The pattern gives two options for cast ons, a two colour cast on or a single colour cast on.You can get Ulchabháín cowl here […]