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PATTERN STORY

Read the story of the prank that helped name the Avon Mountain Cowl on my blog HERE.

The Avon Mountain Cowl is designed to look like an asymmetrical shawl when worn, but it’s so much easier to wear. No need to fuss with it. Just put it on and look instantly fabulous.

The Avon Mountain Cowl might look like it requires expert knitting skills, but that’s just due to the texture created by the stitch patterns. If you’re craving a simple knit, but bored with stockinette and garter stitch, the Avon Mountain cowl is perfect for your next knitting adventure.

Did you notice all those strong lines of knit stitches in the cowl? That was done on purpose. In addition to looking great, those columns of knit stitches act as built-in stitch markers.

CONSTRUCTION

The Avon Mountain Cowl is worked entirely flat and begins at the back of the neck at the right edge. After working few rows of garter stitch, the shawl shaping and farrow rib pattern begin simultaneously. Since shaping occurs along only one edge of the shawl, it is very easy to keep track of the increases. With a 3-stitch repeat, the farrow rib quickly becomes intuitive.

After the desired length has been reached, the cowl progresses without any shaping. This section creates the long edge of the cowl at the same time as the left side of the back of the neck. Written directions are included for easily binding off the cowl in the farrow rib pattern.

Once lightly blocked, the cowl is seamed up the back. Tips are given for using either mattress stitch or whip stitch. A video tutorial is included for the mattress stitch.

Knitting alternates between sections of farrow rib and eyelets & slipped stitches. The single columns of knit stitches form strong lines that are continued throughout the cowl. These lines break up the heavy texture while adding lots of interest. They also act as a visual aid for keeping track of both pattern repeats making stitch markers unnecessary for most knitters.

Pattern also includes: optional charts within the text, a schematic, instructions for bind-off and blocking, and video tutorials for skp, M1L, and M1LP stitches.

PATTERN INCLUDES

• optional charts are provided within the text
• schematic
• tips for seaming
• detailed instructions for the bind-off
• detailed instructions for blocking
• links to video tutorials for skp, M1L, M1LP, and mattress stitch specifically made for this cowl. Want to see the tutorials? Click here or use this url: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tBUATQJnYW-kP09if_0Iw

YARNY DETAILS

YARN USED: MC SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash DK (100% Superwash Merino, 256 yds / 234 m per skein): sample uses 1 skein of Rose Gold.

CC Wobble Gobble Merino DK (100% Superwash Merino Wool, 231 yds / 211 m per skein): sample uses 1 skein of Rose.

YARDAGE: MC 196 yds / 179 m; CC 53 yds / 48 m.

CIRCUMFERENCE: 22” / 56 cm at neck opening; Depth at widest point 15” (38 cm); 3.0” / 8 cm at back neck;
measurements taken after blocking.

NEEDLES: US # 6 (4.0 mm) needles are recommended or size to obtain gauge. 32” (80 cm) circular needle.

YARN SUBSTITUTION: DK weight wool is recommended. While self-striping yarn is not recommended due to the cowl’s heavily textured patterning, most any other style of yarn (solid, tonal, gradient, variegated, etc.) will work.

GAUGE: 20 sts x 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm in farrow rib; 20 sts x 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in eyelet & slipped st pattern; all swatches should be worked flat and lightly blocked. Gauge is not critical for this cowl, but a different gauge will affect drape, yardage required and size.

NOTIONS REQUIRED: Tapestry needle, 1 removable stitch marker, and stitch markers for pattern repeats if desired, but not necessary.

SKILLS NEEDED: K2tog, skp, yo, M1L, M1LP, slipped stitches, written instructions for binding off in pattern and blocking, optional charts, schematic, and tips for seaming with either mattress stitch or whip stitch, and video tutorial links for skp, M1L, M1LP, and mattress stitch.

MODIFICATIONS

The easiest way to achieve a larger circumference is to block the cowl’s neck edge up to 24”. Although a moderate amount of blocking will result in an even bigger cowl, the neck opening may be much too wide or floppy. Note that this will affect the other dimensions of the cowl.

If you are unhappy with the results from the first blocking, soak and block the cowl a second time to get the measurements you want. Be sure to measure the neck opening as you block.