Quiet Barents Sea cowl

Quiet Barents Sea Cowl by Jekaterina Dmitrijeva

What Is Being Made

The Quiet Barents Sea cowl is a sophisticated double-layered neck accessory featuring a distinctive waves pattern. This design functions as a companion piece to the Quiet Barents Sea stole, offering the same aesthetic appeal in a more compact, wearable cowl format. The pattern is available in both single-color and two-color colorway options, allowing knitters to customize their finished piece based on preference and yarn availability.

Construction Method

This cowl employs a thoughtful two-layer construction approach. The outer layer is worked in intarsia in the round, creating the featured waves pattern with color work detail. The inner layer is knit in simple stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, comfortable base against the neck. Once both layers are completed separately, they are seamlessly joined together using an i-cord bind-off technique that simultaneously binds off both layers, creating a unified, finished edge.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This advanced-level design incorporates multiple specialized knitting techniques that add depth and visual interest to the finished cowl:

• Intarsia in the round: The outer layer pattern is created using intarsia colorwork, a technique requiring careful attention to color placement and yarn management while working in circular construction
• Cables: Cable stitches are incorporated into the pattern, adding textural dimension
• Twisted stitches: Twisted stitch elements enhance the pattern complexity
• Stockinette stitch: The inner layer uses straightforward stockinette, making it suitable for relaxed knitting sessions
• Provisional cast-on: A crochet hook is used to create a provisional cast-on, allowing for seamless joining later
• Knitted cast-on: An alternative cast-on method is also employed in the pattern
• I-cord bind-off: The signature finishing technique that joins both layers simultaneously with a decorative i-cord edge

Yarn and Materials

The Quiet Barents Sea cowl is designed for sport weight yarn in solid or semi-solid colorways. For a single-color version, approximately 165–180 yards (150–170 meters) of yarn is required to achieve the sample size. For a two-color version, approximately 100–110 yards (90–100+ meters) of yarn is needed, distributed between the two chosen colors. Knitters will also require a crochet hook for the provisional cast-on and circular needles appropriate for sport weight yarn.

Difficulty Level

While the pattern is labeled as advanced in some contexts, it is also described as intermediate, reflecting the balance between the pattern-intensive outer layer and the straightforward inner layer. The intarsia colorwork and multiple specialized techniques require experienced knitters, though the simple stockinette inner layer provides a more meditative knitting experience during portions of the project.