It’s an easy-to-memorize, fun-to-work stitch pattern that looks like a cable yet is not a cable at all. Our tasteful and curious pal Belinda heard my call for a cool mock cable, dipped into her Japanese stitch dictionaries, and pulled this one out. I love the flatness and drape of the fabric (due to the lack of true cable twists); it’s a perfect match for this fluid yarn (Jade Sapphire Mongolian 4-ply).

Lightweight 4-ply cashmere is a sumptuous yarn that wants an elegant, understated stitch pattern. Too lazy to fuss with an all-over cable, your intrepid cowlista chose a mock cable that is fun to work. Each motif is 3 stitches by 4 rows, with a yarnover that makes a hole in the center. Reminiscent of donuts.

To increase or decrease the width of the cowl, cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 5 stitches.

The pattern separates the donuts with single purl stitches, to yield an attractive ribbed effect on the wrong side. For a faster knit, cast on a multiple of 3 stitches plus 6 (for the 3-stitch reverse stockinette edging on either end), and omit the purls between donuts.

Finished Size: Approximately 60” (150cm) long 8” (20cm) wide

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Exotic Fibres Mongolian Cashmere 4-ply, 55g (200 yards), 2 skeins in #104 Yes We Can Can

Tools:
Size 5 (3.75 mm) short straight needles
Waste yarn for provisional cast-on

Gauge:
Approximately 6 stitches = 1” in donut stitch

Note: Gauge precision is not critical as long as the knitted fabric is to your liking.