Tenement Cowl was inspired by the bright contrast colours and brick bond pattern of Victorian tiles.

Tiles were laid in communal stairwells of tenement buildings in cities such as Glasgow in Scotland. The patterns often had stripes of contrast colours and helped to brighten up the otherwise dreary flights of stairs.

The cowl is worked flat in rows, and sewn together after blocking to create a cowl. Yarns are carried up the side, so there are only four ends to weave in.

The pattern and charts are set up for right-handed users. I place my yarn over the hook (not under) as I create stitches throughout this pattern.

Yarn & hook:

4ply weight - RiverKnits Nene 4ply; 100g/ 400m/ 437yds; 100% British Bluefaced Leicester. Sample used 100g each of shades Kiefernwald and Bienenwabe.
3mm hook (US C/2 or D/3) for 4ply version

DK weight - RiverKnits Nene DK; 100g/ 225m/ 246yds; 100% British Bluefaced Leicester. Sample used 100g each of shades Erntedank and Sommerlicher Nachthimmel.
4mm hook (US G/6) for DK version

Terminology: UK terminology

Materials:

12 x place markers for 4ply version & 9 x place markers for DK version
1 x stitch marker (to secure stitch when putting project aside)
2 x tapestry needles
Blocking equipment

Blocked Tension/Gauge:

4ply weight - 23 sts over 10cm/ 4” and Rows 1-26 over 10cm/ 4”
DK weight - 18 sts over 10cm/ 4” and Rows 1-18 over 10cm/4”

Cowl Dimensions:

4ply weight - 78cm circumference x 40.5cm high/ 30.75” circumference x 16” high
DK weight - 70cm circumference x 30cm high/ 27.5” circumference x 11.75” high

Stitches used

BLO - back loop only
ch - chain cm - centimetre
dbl ss - double slip stitch
dc - double crochet (US single crochet)
dc2tog - double crochet two together (US single crochet two together)
FPqtr - front post quadruple treble (US front post triple treble)
HBhtr - herringbone half treble crochet (US herringbone half double crochet)
htr - half treble crochet (US half double crochet)
ss - slip stitch

Yarn Substitutes: Any 4ply or DK weight yarn of the same meterage per 100g and similar blend. If you use a different blend, your tension/gauge may vary, and you may not have enough yarn to complete all of the rows.

Pattern format: Tenement Cowl pattern is a six-page, A4 document with large, clear text and a chart.