Ansel cowl

Ansel Cowl by Elizabeth Vahlkamp

What is Being Made

The Ansel Cowl is a knitted neck accessory designed to be worn as a close-fitting cowl. The finished piece measures 30 inches (76 cm) in circumference at the bottom and 24 inches (61 cm) at the top, with a height of 12.5 inches (32 cm) after blocking. This shaping creates a flattering neckline that tapers slightly toward the top, making it suitable for layering over various garments.

Construction Method

The cowl is knitted in the round from the bottom up using circular needles. This construction technique eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, tubular fabric that sits smoothly around the neck. Knitters are advised to place stitch markers between chart repetitions to help track pattern repeats and maintain consistency throughout the project.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Ansel Cowl features a cable pattern worked from a stitch guide that repeats over a multiple of 22 stitches, which reduces to 18 stitches as the pattern progresses. The stitch guide includes the following key elements:

• Ribbed Foundation: Rounds 1-4 establish a purl and knit ribbed base using the pattern *P1, k2, (p2, k2) twice; rep from * to end of rnd
• Cable Crossings: The pattern incorporates 2/2 Left Purl Crosses (2/2 LPC) and 2/2 Right Purl Crosses (2/2 RPC) in Round 5, creating the foundational cable twists
• Cable Rotations: Rounds 7 and 11 feature 2/2 Right Crosses (2/2 RC) and 2/2 Left Crosses (2/2 LC), which are worked over stockinette stitch sections separated by purl columns
• Pattern Repeat Cycle: The cable chart repeats over multiple rounds, with stockinette sections (Rounds 6, 8-10) allowing the cables to develop visually between crossing rounds

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several essential knitting techniques. Cable knitting is the primary decorative technique, requiring knitters to slip stitches onto cable needles and cross them over or under working stitches to create twisted rope-like textures. Circular knitting in the round eliminates the need to purl return rows, allowing for continuous stockinette stitch on the knit side. Ribbing provides elasticity and structure at the lower edge. Blocking is essential for this project, as measurements are taken after blocking to ensure proper fit and to even out the cable texture.

Yarn and Materials

The Ansel Cowl is designed to be worked in North American Suri Company Suri Singles, a luxury yarn blend composed of 60% Suri alpaca and 40% wool. This yarn is supplied in 100-gram skeins with a yardage of 120 yards (110 meters) per skein. The pattern requires 2 skeins, providing approximately 240 yards of yarn. The recommended colorway is Herb Green, though the yarn weight classification supports multiple yarn weights including 3-ply, 4-ply, 6-ply, chunky, cobweb, lace, and sport weights, offering flexibility for yarn substitution.

Needles

Two circular needles are required for this project. The primary working needle is a US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) long, used for the majority of the cowl construction. A US 10 (6.0 mm) circular needle, also 24 inches (60 cm) long, is specified, likely for ribbing or bind-off work where a slightly tighter gauge may be preferred. Both needles should be 24 inches in length to accommodate the circumference of the cowl while working in the round.