Product Description
Gauge: 12 sts and 20 rows in stockinette (gauge isn’t super important, because this is a cowl) Needles: US 10 (6 mm) circular needle (24” or longer) OR size needed to get YOU the gauge YOU want for this cowl. Yarn: Approximately 320 yards heavy worsted-weight yarn (I used BMFA’s Luscious Single Silk, but think it would be equally fly in Malabrigo Worsted). Finished measurements: 30” wide (60” in diameter), 9” tall. Notions: stitch marker, darning needle. Skill level: Enthusiastic beginner.
I have had this skein of Blue Moon’s Luscious Single Silk in my stash, ready to go, waiting for the perfect pattern, for three years. THREE YEARS. I almost knitted it into a quadrillion different things, but nothing seemed absolutely perfect. A few weeks ago, I started dreaming of a big cowl, a cowl that I could wrap a few times around my neck, a cowl that was simple yet fabulous…so I casted this puppy on.
Big Green Cowl by Shannon Squire
What Is Being Made
The Big Green Cowl is a knitted cowl designed by Shannon Squire as a beginner-friendly neck accessory. This circular cowl measures 60 inches in diameter and 9 inches tall, making it a generous, draping neckwear piece suitable for layering and styling versatility. The finished cowl provides ample fabric for wrapping around the neck multiple times or wearing as a single-loop statement piece.
Craft and Construction Technique
This project is created using the knitting craft and is worked in the round on circular needles, a fundamental technique for creating seamless tubular garments. The pattern is designed for an enthusiastic beginner skill level, making it accessible to knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore circular knitting methods. The in-the-round construction eliminates the need for seaming, resulting in a smooth, professional finish.
Stitches and Stitch Techniques
The Big Green Cowl incorporates several essential knitting techniques:
- Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic knit texture
- Yarn overs (yo), which create decorative eyelet holes and are fundamental to lace and textured stitch patterns
- Knit two together (k2tog), a basic decrease technique used to shape the fabric and create stitch pattern definition
- Knit stitch (k) as the foundational stitch throughout the project
The combination of these techniques creates visual interest while remaining manageable for beginner-level knitters expanding their skill set.
Materials and Tools
Yarn: The pattern requires approximately 325 yards of worsted- or aran-weight yarn. The designer used Blue Moon Fiber Arts Luscious Single Silk in the colorway Mossay, a blend of 50% merino and 50% silk (available at 500 yards per 226-gram skein). This fiber content provides both warmth and drape, with silk adding lustrous sheen and merino contributing softness and breathability.
Needles and Notions: Construction requires a US 10 / 6mm circular needle measuring 24 inches or longer, sized to achieve the specified gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and any finishing work.
Gauge and Finishing
The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches equals 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions. Blocking the completed cowl helps even out stitches and allows the fabric to relax into its final shape and drape.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Shannon Squire |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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