New Free Pattern: The Commuter Cowl

Evening Rush Hour London Victoria

Another experiment in simple lace knitting. This project was conceived of and completed during the daily commute and that's how it came to its name, the Commuter Cowl. 

The cowl's lace pattern gives the impression of vertical ribbing, which is achieved by a simple lace sequence, ideal for beginner lace knitters.

The project is extremely portable and the pattern's lace rows are followed by simple knit rows, making this an ideal beginner project. The cowl is knitted entirely in the round.

Commuter Cowl, yarn: Araucania Botany Lace

Materials

For a cowl measuring approximately 26cm in length and 38cm in width, you will require the following materials:

• Approximately 60-70 grams of sock yarn (for my cowl I used Araucania Botany Lace sock yarn). More information on the yarn is available here. 
• 4mm circular knitting needles 
• Scissors
• 1 stitch - marker
• Darning needle

Should you wish to create a wider, more generous cowl, I suggest doubling the number of cast - on stitches, enabling the wearer to wrap the cowl around their neck twice.

Project Instructions Commuter Cowl

Set-up

• Cast on 144 stitches (288 stitches for a wider cowl), using whichever cast-on method you are most comfortable with.
• Join in the round, place marker and knit 9 rows.

Once you have completed the set - up, you are ready to start on the first lace sequence of the pattern:

Lace Pattern:

Row 1: [YO, K2, K2tog, SSK, K1, YO, K1] repeat 18 times until end of row (or 36 times, if you have decided to double the stitch count)

Row 2: knit all stitches

Row 3: Repeat Row 1

Row 4: knit all stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 1
Row 6 - Row 8: knit all stitches

Repeat the above sequence (Row 1 - Row 8) 7 times.

Final Lace Section:

Row 1: [YO, K2, K2tog, SSK, K1, YO, K1] repeat 18 times until end of row

Row 2: knit all stitches

Row 3: Repeat Row 1

Row 4: knit all stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 1

Continue knitting 9 rows in the round.

Bind off loosely.

• Blocking:

Blocking the cowl is a good idea if you wish to open up the lace and in order to achieve a wider piece. If you have opted to double the stitch count, I would definitely choose to block, as this will ensure that the lace is displayed when the garment is worn. I opted for steam blocking, whilst the cowl was wrapped around my dressmaker's dummy. More information on this is available here.

Commuter Cowl unblocked

• Finishing:

Following blocking, sew in ends.

Your cowl is ready to be worn!

Enjoy!

More free patterns are available here.