This cowl was inspired by a discussion last fall about a lovely red loop scarf from the Anthropologie Fall/Winter 2011 collection. I fell in love with this stitch pattern, but couldn’t, for the life of me, figure it out. In large part because I was stuck on the idea that it was lace (paired increases and decreases). Once I let myself believe it was cables, the stitch pattern emerged in moments.
The cowl itself is smaller than its inspiration, and fits fairly close around the neck. This is a stitch pattern that pulls in a ton, so the top and bottom edge ruffle and flare quite a bit. Which is not all bad,
that flare lets the top edge cuddle your chin and the bottom edge spread over the shoulders.
Gauge is nearly impossible to measure. I only swatched the cable pattern! Suffice to say, I needed about 1/3 more stitches for the cable shrinkage than I would have in stockinette.
The cowl measures 8 1/2” top to bottom and 18” in circumference unblocked and relaxed. I chose not to block because I wanted that snug fit, but it wouldn’t take much blocking to open up the cowl for a little more drape.
Absolutely cozy.