Grays Harbor Cowl by Nick Davis

Grays Harbor Cowl

Knitting
February 2017
Light Fingering ?
21 stitches and 35 rows = 4 inches
in Blocked stockinette
US 6 - 4.0 mm
284 - 310 yards (260 - 283 m)
One size fits average adults.
English
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD buy it now

Quick note:
As of this writing, the .PDF is current with all corrections; the errata link is helpful if you have the free version, which is an older, pre-edited version of the pattern (2317).

Grays Harbor is a soft, simple, striped cowl that knits up relatively quickly in just under 300 yards of Malabrigo Sock--about 200 of Main Color (MC; Alcaucil shown), and 100 Contrast (CC: Lettuce shown). It’s a good solid unisex knit, so it makes a good gift or addition to your own wardrobe.

Most of the cowl is pretty easy--this is a purl-free project--but some details require more attention, and potentially make this more of an intermediate knit. You’ll need to be comfortable with a provisional cast-on, and familiar with or ready to learn how to knit hems.

Gauge is 21 sts and 28 rows in stockinette. Knit at the correct gauge for a cowl sized to fit as a neckwarmer or a loose convertible hat, with the drawstring cinched. Please be sure to check your gauge--if you knit it too tightly, of course, it’s going to be too small.

You’ll need:

  • Malabrigo Yarn Sock in Main Color (Alcaucil) and Contrast Color (Lettuce), approx. 186 yards MC; 98 yards CC
  • 1 16” circular in size for gauge (US6/4.0mm for most average knitters)
  • 1 16” circular a size or two smaller
  • smooth waste yarn for the
    provisional cast on
  • 1 crochet hook (size E-F)
  • tapestry needle
  • stitch markers

This pattern contains links to tutorial posts and extra photos about working hems; if you’ve worked hems before, it’s probably too much explanation, but I’m hoping the free tutorials will be handy if the techniques are new, or it’s been awhile since you’ve used them--or even if you just want to see my own possibly idiosyncratic approach to them.