Learn to fly

Learn to Fly Cowl by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

Project Overview

Learn to Fly is an ideal second knitting project designed to build foundational skills while creating a practical, wearable cowl. This downloadable PDF pattern introduces knitters to essential techniques beyond basic knit and purl stitches, making it an excellent stepping stone for beginners looking to expand their knitting repertoire.

What Is Being Made

A patterned cowl—a circular neck accessory that combines comfort with style. The cowl's length is customizable, allowing knitters to work until they achieve their desired fit and drape. The pattern accommodates various yarn weights, making it adaptable to different yarn stash options.

Knitting Techniques and Methods

Learn to Fly introduces multiple essential knitting techniques that move beyond basic stitching:

• Cast on methods: The pattern includes a standard cast on, with an optional provisional cast on technique for those ready to explore more advanced finishing methods
• Grafting: An optional seamless finishing technique that joins live stitches together, creating a cowl without a visible seam line
• Customizable sizing: Knitters can adjust the pattern by increasing cast-on stitches in multiples of two, allowing the cowl to be made with any yarn weight, from chunky to super chunky and beyond

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined to create visual interest and texture:

• Knit stitch (k): The basic foundation stitch
• Purl stitch (p): Creates reverse texture and is used to build the pattern
• Yarn over (YO): Creates intentional holes and lace-like elements within the cowl design
• Knit two together (k2tog): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count and balances the yarn overs for a cohesive pattern
• Cast off: The finishing technique to bind off stitches

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 50g of super chunky yarn. The sample shown uses Wendy Serenity. However, the design is flexible—knitters can substitute any yarn weight by adjusting the number of cast-on stitches in multiples of two.

Needles: 10mm straight needles are specified for the super chunky yarn version. Gauge is noted as not critical for this project; knitters should select needle size appropriate to their chosen yarn to achieve comfortable fabric.

Notions: A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends and, if using the grafting option, for joining stitches seamlessly.

Skill Level and Learning Outcomes

Designed as a beginner-friendly project, Learn to Fly assumes knitters have mastered basic cast-on and knit stitches. The pattern systematically introduces purl stitches, yarn overs, and decreases—three techniques that form the foundation for more complex knitting patterns. The pattern includes links to Knitting Help videos for each new skill, providing visual support for learners encountering these techniques for the first time.

Pattern Format and Instructions

As a downloadable PDF, Learn to Fly provides written-out instructions with abbreviated versions included in red for quick reference. This dual-format approach helps beginners learn proper terminology while maintaining readability. The pattern is free, making it an accessible resource for knitters building their skills and pattern collection.