Indira Cowl by Vanessa Smith

Indira Cowl

Knitting
February 2020
both are used in this pattern
yarn held together
Fingering
+ Lace
= Fingering (14 wpi) ?
23 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch, unblocked
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
465 yards (425 m)
One Size (26½” (67 cm) circumference at top opening; 40½” (103 cm) circumference at bottom opening; and 10½” (27 cm) tall
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

Some knits are purely practical. Others—like the Indira Cowl—are a little bit magical. ✨

After designing the Indira shawl, life called for a brief pause. But even in the stillness, my hands craved the rhythm of familiar stitches, the comfort of soft fibers slipping through my fingers. I wasn’t ready to leave Indira behind, so I reimagined it.

Same elegance, different format. The Indira Cowl uses the same depth, texture, and movement as the shawl, just in a smaller, pull-on-and-go package. Simple yet striking, warm but never bulky. A cozy knit you can throw on in seconds and instantly feel put together.

What You’re Getting Into

You’ll work this beauty side to side, beginning with a provisional cast on. As you knit, you’ll shape the cowl with thoughtfully placed short rows, working the bold, double-braided cables and soft lace at the same time to create a silhouette that’s slightly narrower at the top and wider at the bottom for a beautifully draped fit. Once you reach the full width, the piece is grafted together in pattern—but the journey doesn’t end there. The final touch is a plush fisherman’s rib edging, picked up and worked in the round, adding just the right amount of bounce and structure to this elegant, wearable design. The result? A semi-funnel-shaped cowl that sits just right, delivering the perfect amount of warmth and effortless style.

Why You’ll Love It

Slip It On, Look Amazing: No fuss, no adjusting, no overthinking—just instant cozy perfection.

Cables That Do the Talking: The double-braided cables running through the fabric are bold yet timeless, like the perfect red lipstick but for your knitting.

Lace That Plays Nice: Just enough openness to add a light, airy feel—balancing the structure of the cables so the fabric moves beautifully without feeling heavy.

Squish Factor 1000: The cowl finishes with fisherman’s rib, a close cousin to brioche that delivers the same deep, squishy texture—without the extra complexity. If you love the pillowy softness of brioche but want a more intuitive stitch pattern, this is it.

Make It a Matching Set: Pair this cowl with the Indira Mitts and live your best coordinated life.

Skill Level

Adventurous Intermediate. Love cables? Love lace? Ready for a project that keeps you engaged but won’t make you question your life choices? This is it.

What’s Included?

✔ Instant Downloadable PDF – The moment you purchase, the pattern is yours to download and start knitting.
✔ Step-by-Step Directions – because confusion isn’t part of the cozy experience.
✔ Charted & Written Instructions – so you can knit your way, no judgment.
✔ Tips for Modifying – because one size doesn’t always fit all.

Make it in a cozy neutral for timeless elegance, or go bold with a deep jewel tone. Either way, the Indira Cowl is about to become the most versatile, most complimented, and most satisfying knit in your collection.

Ready to cast on? Click that Add to Cart button and let’s get started. ❤️

Pattern Details

Sizes
One Size

Finished Measurements
26½” (67 cm) circumference at top opening; 40½” (103 cm) circumference at bottom opening; and 10½” (27 cm) tall

Cowl size is easily modified, as noted in the pattern.

Yarn
Approximately 465 yards (425 meters) of each a smooth, plied fingering weight yarn and a lace weight mohair blend.

Cowl pictured used approximately 1 skein each of the following yarns held together:

  • La Bien Aimée Merino Super Sock (fingering weight; 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon) in colorway ‘Eric Northman’
  • La Bien Aimée Mohair Silk (lace weight; 70% mohair wool, 30% silk) in colorway ‘Eric Northman’

Needles

  • US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm)
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm)

Gauge
23 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using larger needles, unblocked

Getting exact gauge is not critical, but it will affect the amount of yarn needed for your cowl.

Notions

  • (2) Stitch markers
  • Cable needle
  • Tapestry needle

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