Searching for a small project to ease you into stranded colorwork? This cowl—a free pattern—is perfect! A simple one-by-one repeat in two high-contrast colors helps to get you used to alternating strands of yarn, while producing a striking, checker-like fabric. With one-color ribbing at each edge, and sized just right to keep your neck warm, you’ll have a cozy colorwork cowl in no time.

We knit the Simple Colorwork Cowl in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, one of our favorite woolen-spun yarns. Worsted-weight and spun from 100% Wyoming-grown Targhee-Columbia fleece, Shelter is multi-talented. Not only does it have beautiful stitch definition, it achieves a characteristic lofty spring and a fabric with great structure—perfect for this cowl!

FINISHED SIZE
Approx. 24"/61cm around x 10"/25.5cm deep.

YARN
2 skeins Brooklyn Tweed Shelter( 140 yds / 128m each).
Or approx. 220 yds/201m of an equivalent worsted-weight yarn: 125 yds/114m MC and 95 yds/87m CC.
Shown in Cast Iron and Fossil.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 7 (4.5mm) 24"/60cm circular needle, or size to obtain gauge.
US 5 (3.75mm) 16"/40 cm circular needle, or 2 sizes smaller than gauge needle.
1 stitch marker.
Darning needle to finish.
Blocking wires and T-pins.

GAUGE
Approx. 20sts= 4"/10cm in colorwork stitch in the round, after blocking.

See the "Basic Details" tab for size, yarn, needle, and gauge information.

Glossary:
Dec(’d) = decrease(d); Inc(’d) = increase(d); K = knit; K2Tog = knit 2 sts together; M1 = make one (with tip of left needle, lift strand running between needles from the front; knit into the back of it); RS = right side; P = purl; St(s) = stitch(es).

Cast on:
With smaller needle and MC, using cable cast-on method, cast on 120 sts. Do not join in round yet.

First edging:
Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1*; repeat between * * to end. Do not turn. Join in round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to designate beginning of round; on subsequent rounds, slip marker as you come to it.

Round 1 (RS): *K1, P1*; repeat between * * to end. Continue in K1/P1 ribbing for 3 more rounds; at end of final round, M1. [1 st inc’d; 121 sts]

Colorwork sequence:
Change to gauge needle and join CC leaving 8"/20cm tail for weaving in later. Tips: Hold MC in right hand and CC in left hand; keep colors in same hands throughout. As you work, pull back on just completed sts to keep floats loose and even. Round 1: *K1 with MC, K1 with CC*; repeat between * * to last st; K1 with MC.

Round 2: *K1 with CC, K1 with MC*; repeat between * * to last st; K1 with CC. Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 until piece measures approx. 9”/23cm from cast-on edge, ending with Round 2. Cut CC, leaving 8"/20cm tail for weaving in later.

Second edging:
Change to smaller needle. Round 1: With MC, K2Tog, knit to end. [1 st dec’d; 120 sts] Round 2: *K1, P1*; repeat between * * to end. Continue in K1/P1 ribbing for 3 more rounds.

Bind off:
With MC, bind off in pattern, matching tension of cast-on edge as closely as possible. Weave in ends as invisibly as possible on wrong side.

Blocking:
Soak piece for 20 minutes in tepid water with a little no-rinse wool soap. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Roll in towel to squeeze out more moisture. Lay cowl on moisture-safe surface gently pulling to desired dimensions. Allow to dry completely.