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.