This cowl was intended to give the kerchief shawl look, without all of the bulkiness around the neck. I can be knit with any DK weight yarn. I knit it in Online Donita 365 (100% cotton in the blue/white) and I knit a second time in Noro Lily Multi (70% cotton/ 30% silk). The Noro is a chained yarn so it did knit up slightly tighter.