 |
| Sweet Strawberry Cowl |
This was one of those projects that was inspired by the yarn as much as anything; with a lovely, glossy drape and a reversible mesh at the neck, this is the sort of design that would look good in any cotton or cotton blend (well, I'm sure there are plenty of other yarns it would look good in too, but it's well suited to a fiber with less give, like cotton). Long story short, this cowl is simple but striking and looks killer on. And what more can you ask for, really?
 |
| From the back |
Needles: Straight needles in size 6
Notions: Tapestry needle, two stitch markers
Gauge: 21 stitches = 4 inches
To begin, cast on 30 stitches, and then knit the following set-up rows:
Set-up row 1 (right side): knit
Set-up row 2: p22, place marker, p2, place marker, purl until end of row
And now we'll begin the pattern, which goes as follows:
Row 1: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, slip marker, knit until next marker, slip marker, k1, * yo, ssk; rep from * until there's one stitch left in row, end k1
Rows 2 & 4: k1, * yo, ssk * until there's one stitch before first marker, k1, slip marker, purl until next marker, slip marker, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1
Row 3: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, slip marker, k1, m1l, knit until next marker, slip marker, k1, * yo, ssk; rep from * until there's one stitch left in row, end k1
Knit rows 1 - 4 until you have 24 stitches between your two markers. Now we'll continue without any increases, or knitting just rows 1 & 2, until the piece measures roughly 15" inches along top edge, or until you're about 9 inches from your desired finished length (obviously, if you decide to make this a bunch longer, you'll more yarn). Now, we'll begin some decreases in the stockinette portion of this item, which go as follows:
Row 1: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, slip marker, ssk, knit until next marker, slip marker, k1, * yo, ssk * until there's one stitch left in row, end k1
Rows 2 & 4: k1, * yo, ssk * until there's one stitch before first marker, k1, slip marker, purl until next marker, slip marker, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1
Row 3: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, slip marker, knit until next marker, slip marker, k1, * yo, ssk; rep from * until there's one stitch left in row, end k1
Knit rows 1 - 4 until you have two stitches between your two markers and you've just finished row 2 of the pattern. Knit across one more right-side row, removing extra markers, and purl across one more wrong-side row. Then, bind off loosely. For best results, block flat before seaming and finishing.
the color of this yarn is scrumptious! So is the cowl!!
ReplyDeleteLinda in VA
Linda -
DeleteScrumptious is the perfect word for this yarn! I loved everything about it - and especially how it knit up!!!
Gorgeous. .what is ssk ?
ReplyDeleteHi Trish! Ssk is a left-slanting decrease (it stands for slip slip knit). You can find plenty of instructions for it online, but here's a link to one:
Deletehttp://www.wikihow.com/Slip-Slip-Knit
OK I have to ask. Is there a way this could be knit in the round and avoid the seaming at the end? It is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I got the same question by email! As far as I can tell, this particular mesh would be difficult to accomplish in the round (since I don't know an easy way to reverse an ssk), and the fact that the piece gets wider in the middle would have to be accomplished using short rows. Or in other words, I wouldn't be able to convert this piece properly without changing a number of details and knitting it up again. However, I am working on a similar design right now that, while different (it's two color, although that's optional, and doesn't include the shaping), has many similar elements. If you'd like to check back, the pattern should be up on Friday!
DeleteYou could try doing the provisional cast on. And "repeat rows 1-4" there are only 3 that I see. I'm going to double check that after I post.
DeleteOops. I got it now. Can't wait to try it.
DeleteI've never done a provisional cast-on! By all means, if you come up with a way to convert this pattern, please share. I'd love to see it!
DeleteCannot print this pattern, the page runs together and the ads on the page run into the pattern is it possible to email me the pattern cbarth1956@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Jane! The pattern should be in your inbox now! And if you have any trouble with that, you can also find a pdf of it on Craftsy at http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/sweet-strawberry-cowl/91133
DeleteThanks for providing this pattern, what I have done so far looks great! However, I'm making this cowl for the 4-year old niece of a friend and I'm not sure when to stop increasing and start decreasing. Can you tell me how big the finished project shown in the pictures is?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hello there!
DeleteThe increase section of this pattern will take it to about 9." As written, you then knit without increases until the piece measures 15", and then you'll knit another 9" in decreases (so the finished piece is about 24" along the top edge, longer along the bottom). If you want an 18" design you could go straight from the increases to the decreases, or you could knit without the increases for a shorter time. Or you could make less increases, of course, and take note of how long the piece is when you stop your increases. Then just knit without increases until you're that length away from your desired end. :)
Excellent, thank you for the quick reply! I think I'll use a bit of both your suggestions - stop the increase early & shorten the middle section.
DeleteThanks!
Super! I hope it turns out well :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever come up with another version of this pattern using a provisional cast on or a way to not have to sew up the back at the end? I found this wonderful pattern on facebook from All Free Knitting today and would love to knit it up, buy like others, would rather not sew up the back. Thank you in advance for a reply.
ReplyDeleteHello there!
DeleteGood question! At the time that that comment was posted, I had never used a provisional cast-on. Now that I have, I can say with assurance that you could definitely use a provisional cast-on to begin this cowl and a Kitchener stitch to finish it up. You would end up with a small stockinette seam at the very back of the piece, but it would hardly be noticeable. And please, let me know if you have any other questions. :)
Oh, and there's a stockinette seam anyway! Also, in case I wasn't clear, you could go ahead and follow the pattern instructions exactly, except using a provisional cast-on to begin and then using the Kitchener instead of the regular seam once you're done blocking it!
DeleteI am sorry, but I just am not sure that I have the steps correctly. Following the pattern rows, you say to "without any increases, or knitting just rows 1 & 2." Do you mean the "set up" rows? or truly knit each row until the piece measures the 15 inches?
ReplyDeletethanks, not sure if I ready for something this complicated (to me) but I hope so as I really like it!
Hello there!
DeleteLet me see if I can clarify. :) In pattern rows 1 - 4, rows 2 & 4 are the same, and row 3 includes an increase (that m1l, or make 1 left). What I mean by this direction is that, once you've worked those 4 rows enough that you have 24 stitches between the markers, you should stop increasing. Or in other words, just knit rows 1 & 2 of the pattern instead of knitting rows 1 through 4 (which include the increase in row 3). Then, when your cowl measures 15" in total, you can proceed to the next direction. Let me know if you still have questions! I hope this turns out well for you. :)
I am a little confused about the end of the pattern. Where are you decreasing? It looks like you are just yo ssk as you did inthe middle. How do you decrease?
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn!
DeleteFirst, I can understand why you would be confused. :) But if you look closely, you'll see that there's a stockinette portion between the two (yo, ssk) portions. That stockinette part increases and then decreases, in order to make the cowl fuller at the middle front and narrower around the neck. On your first set of pattern rows, you add one stitch every 3rd pattern row in the stockinette section, and then on the decrease section, you decrease by one stitch on every 1st pattern row in the same place. Please let me know if you have any more questions!
What kind of cast on should you use for this cowl?
ReplyDeleteAny standard favorite! I usually use a long tail cast on.
Delete