Wave Cowls by Rebecca Hatcher

I confess—the first version of this design (the purple one) was inspired almost entirely by my plan of wrapping myself in the yarn, without breaking the bank.  Since it’s pricy, a full-size scarf was out, but a cowl seemed doable.  Short rows break up any pooling (an issue if you pick a more multi-colored colorway), and purl ridges resemble draped fabric, giving the illusion that the cowl is longer than it really is.

While knitting up the first version—and then with Jody’s encouragement—I wanted to tinker with the pattern.  What if I used lace weight for the short row sections?  What if the cowl were shaped to fit the neck/chin/shoulder area more closely?

So the teal and cranberry cowls are the result of that tinkering.  The teal cowl combines lace weight and aran weight yarn.  Omitting some short rows and adding some increases makes the cranberry cowl longer around the back of the neck and wider at the base, both for more coverage.

Sizes

Purple and Teal Cowls

Finished Circumference 21”
Length 10”

Cranberry Cowl

Finished Circumference 21”, widens to 26” at base
Length 7”, widens to 10” at back

Yarn

Purple Cowl: Schaefer Yarn Company Helene (50% merino wool, 50% cultivated silk; 218 yards [201 meters] / 99 g): Color Betty Friedan, 1 hank

Teal Cowl: Queensland Kathmandu Aran (85% merino wool, 10% silk, 5% cashmere; 104 yards [95 meters] / 50 g): color 158 (MC), 1 skein
MC: Baby Kid Extra (80% mohair kid, 20% nylon; 268 yards [245 meters] / 25 g): Color 492 (CC), about 1/3 skein

Cranberry Cowl: Malabrigo Worsted (100% merino wool; 216 yards [199 meters] / 99 g): burgundy, 1 hank

Needles

Size US #8 (5 mm): 16” circular (or shorter)

Gauge

18 sts and 28 rows = 4” in St st after wet blocking.
Exact row gauge is not crucial, as cowl length can vary slightly without negatively affecting fit.

Notions

6 stitch markers, 3 of one kind and 3 of another; tapestry needle

Abbreviations

Please see our standard list of abbreviations.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in the round from one edge to the other.  The Purple Cowl follows the basic pattern; modifications for the cranberry and teal cowls follow.

This pattern uses wrap and turn short rows.  For step-by-step instructions on how to wrap and turn (w&t), see our article on how to knit short rows.

Purple Cowl

CO 96 sts.  P 2 rnds, placing markers every 16 sts, alternating style of marker.  Designate one style of marker as A, and the other as B.

“A” Short Rows

K 1 rnd.

*K to 12 sts past first A marker (A1), w&t, p to 12 sts past A1, w&t. K to 8 sts past A1, w&t, p to 8 sts past A1, w&t. K to 4 sts past A1, w&t, p to 4 sts past A1, w&t.

Then continue to next marker A (A2), picking up wrapped sts as they are reached.  Rep from * for markers A2 and A3, then k 1 rnd, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached.

P 2 rnds.

“B” Short Rows

K 1 rnd, then rep from * for all 3 B markers. K 1 rnd, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached.

P 2 rnds.

Rep A and B short rows 4 times more, or until desired length is reached, ending by purling 2 rnds.  If cowl longer than approximately 10” is desired, additional yarn will be needed.

BO all sts, removing markers as they are reached.

Teal Cowl

Using MC, CO 96 sts.  P2 rounds, placing markers every 16 sts, alternating style of marker.  Designate one style of marker as A, and the other as B.

“A” Short Rows

Switch to CC, and P 1 rnd.

Still using CC, *K to 12 sts past first A marker (A1), w&t, p to 12 sts past A1, w&t. K to 8 sts past A1, w&t, p to 8 sts past A1, w&t. K to 4 sts past A1, w&t, p to 4 sts past A1, w&t.

Then continue to next marker A (A2), picking up wrapped sts as they are reached. Rep from * for markers A2 and A3, then k 1 round, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached. Switch to MC, and P 2 rnds.

“B” Short Rows

Switch to CC and P 1 round, then rep from * for all 3 B markers. K 1 rnd, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached. Switch to MC and P 2 rnds.

Rep A and B short rows 4 times more, or until desired length is reached, ending by purling 2 rounds with MC.  If cowl longer than approximately 10” is desired, additional yarn will be needed.

Using MC, BO all sts, removing markers as they are reached.

Cranberry Cowl

CO 96 sts.  P 2 rnds, placing markers every 16 sts, alternating style of marker.  Designate one style of marker as A, and the other as B.

“A” Short Rows

K 1 rnd.

*K to 12 sts past second A marker (A2), w&t, p to 12 sts past A2, w&t. K to 8 sts past A2, w&t, p to 8 sts past A2, w&t. K to 4 sts past A2, w&t, p to 4 sts past A2, w&t.

Then continue to next marker A (A3), picking up wrapped sts as they are reached.*  Rep from * for marker A3, then k 1 rnd, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached. P 2 rnds.

Note: skipping the short rows at marker A1 will create less height in this section, shaping it to fit below the chin.  If a symmetrical cowl is desired, work the short rows at all three A markers (as in the directions for the Purple Cowl).

“B” Short Rows

K 1 rnd, then rep from * for all 3 B markers. K 1 rnd, picking up wrapped sts as they are reached. P 2 rnds.

Rep A and B short rows 3 times more, or until cowl is approximately 2 inches  short of desired length. If cowl longer than approximately 10” is desired, additional yarn will be needed.

Flare

Knit 1 round, increasing 12 sts evenly around; 108 sts.  Then work A and B short rows as explained for Purple Cowl, considering the row just knit as the first knit row of A short rows, and ending with 2 P rows.

BO all sts, removing markers as they are reached.

Finishing for all Cowls

Weave in ends. Wet block cowl, pulling edges straight.

About the Designer: Rebecca Hatcher

Rebecca Hatcher lives and works in New Haven, CT, where she knits, spins, runs, and rows.

Pattern and images © 2008 Rebecca Hatcher.