Simple Ribbed Cowl

This is a quick and easy pattern for a very warm fall and winter accessory. The design includes a bit of detail to keep the attention of the experienced knitter, and simple instructions with helpful photos for the beginner. The cowl works up very quickly in a bulky yarn. The cowl is formed by folding the long knitted tube onto itself, revealing the raised, plait-like ribbing pattern.

If you look in any stitch dictionary, you will find instructions for twisted stitch ribbing and patterns. You can create elaborate raised stitch designs by twisting and traveling stitches across the knitting. For this cowl, one of the most basic ribbing patterns will be used: k3, p1tbl.

If you have not purled through the back loop before, take a look at the following photographs. 

 With the yarn in front: insert the needle, from back to front, into the back of the loop you will be purling.

 Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull through, as you normally would, when making a purl stitch.

 

The completed p1tbl.

 

 This is what the back side of the p1tbl looks like - a twisted knit stitch. The nice thing about the twisted stitch is that it appears well defined and remains tight and neat even when the ribbing is stretched.

Here is a look inside the tube of knitting. To wear the cowl, you fold down the tube and create the shape you like.  Of course, you can also wear it with the opposite side facing out.

Simple Ribbed Cowl

materials:

approx. 160-180 yards bulky weight yarn

(1) 24 inch size 15 US/10mm circular needle for knitting in the round

darning needle

stitch marker

pattern:

k3, p1tbl across

* you can make this cowl any width you prefer, by casting on a number of stitches divisible by 4

gauge:

it isn't too important in this case, just be sure to use bulky yarn.

My gauge is 10 stitches and 14 rows/ 4 inches  in the k3, p1tbl pattern, un-stretched.

instructions:

*Cast on 60 stitches and join for knitting in the round. Place a marker to denote the beginning of the round.

*TIP: I always cast on one extra stitch and then slide it over to the left needle.  When I begin knitting, I knit the first two stitches together to get back to the correct number of stitches for the pattern. By using that extra stitch, a tighter and neater join is created.

Round 1:  K3, p1tbl  across

Repeat round 1 until the knitting measures approximately 12.5 inches from the cast on edge, or desired length.
Cast off loosely.
Weave in ends.

To wear, slip the tube over your head, with the raised knit stitches on the inside. Fold down the tube to reveal the pattern. Enjoy your new, very warm neck accessory!

Pattern is for personal use only. All images and text are protected by copyright.