The Flat Cowl That Looks Round by Kirsten McTeer

The Flat Cowl That Looks Round

Knitting
June 2018
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in blocked stocking stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
250 - 300 yards (229 - 274 m)
10" high x 24" around (stocking stitch); 9" high x 22" around (garter stitch)
English
This pattern is available for £3.95 GBP buy it now

This cowl is worked almost entirely flat, back and forth in rows, and yet it finishes in the round without seaming (except for a very small graft, which is optional). How does it achieve the seemingly-impossible?!
It starts with an asymmetrical top-down triangular scarf. Once it reaches the right size, the ends are wrapped around and joined together to form the beginning of the round. After that, the cowl is worked flat again in rows, in the manner of a bottom-up triangular scarf until you have a loop of fabric worked almost completely flat! It’s easier to do it than to explain it, believe me!

Stocking stitch and garter stitch options are given separately, as the transition round is worked differently to keep the stitch patterns correct.
The pattern plays especially nicely with multicoloured yarns.

The finished cowl measures 10” (25.5cm) tall and 24” (61cm) around in stocking stitch, or 9” (23cm) tall and 22” (56cm) around in garter stitch – stocking stitch is naturally taller than garter stitch due to the way the rows sit on top of one another – when worked to pattern tension.
Pattern tension for stocking stitch is 24 sts and 36 rows to 4”/10cm of blocked stocking stitch.
Pattern tension for garter stitch is 28 sts and 44 rows to 4”/10cm of blocked garter stitch.

You will need:
up to 300 yards (274m) fingering weight yarn
3.5mm (US4) needles – circular needle required, I recommend a 24” (60cm) cable
Stitch holders
4 stitch markers
Darning needle (for weaving in ends, or grafting)

You need to be able to:
work flat and in the round (although only one “round” is worked for each cowl), work common increases and decreases (YO, working through the back loop, SSK, SSP, K2tog, CDD), sew very very short seam or graft using Kitchener stitch (explained in pattern)

Cancellation and refund rights UK/EU law (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013) requires me to advise you that you have the automatic right to cancel with a full refund within 14 days of purchase unless you have downloaded the pattern. By starting the pattern download within 14 days of purchase you expressly agree to waive your right to cancellation and refund. You can read my full terms and conditions here