“Super Bulky” is the most varied of the yarn weights, which can make selecting a yarn for a Super Bulky pattern tricky. This cowl is written for three different gauges of Super Bulky- 1.5, 2, and 2.5 stitches per inch. Choose your yarn based on the yarn label’s gauge over stockinette, then use the chart in the pattern to cast on. You will end up with a similar cowl for all three gauges.

Super Bulky is super fast- I knitted each of these cowls in well under two hours, making this a great pattern for “oops I forgot to knit so-an-so a gift for the party at 5 and right now it’s 2:30.”

Personally, I don’t like “flopsy” cowls that are loose around the neck. This pattern will get you a closer fitting cowl, which I think is better for actually keeping your neck warm. If you disagree, it’s easy to make a looser cowl by simply casting on more repeats of the chevron pattern. Note that you will need an additional skein of yarn if this is your plan.

The cowl is designed up use up one entire skein of yarn, with nothing leftover. I find that this results in a cowl that is a good height; if you prefer very tall cowls, then plan on an additional skein. I would not make a taller cowl with yarn that knits to 1.5 stitches to the inch; the fabric will be too thick to drape, and you’ll just end up covering your own face.

Samples shown in three different yarns, stockinette gauge 1.5, 2, and 2.5 stitches to the inch. Note that the 1.5 stitch yarn is actually classified as “Jumbo.”

Yarn:
Mint sample
Finished measurements: 21” circumference and 8” tall, shown in 1.5 stitches per inch gauge, using:
Knit Picks Super Tuff Puff; (100% Wool; 44 yd/40 m per 200 g skein); Color: Mint; 1 skein
And:
US 19 (16 mm) needles

Coral sample
Finished measurements: 21.5” circumference and 6” tall, shown in 2 stitches per inch gauge, using:
Knit Picks Tuff Puff; (100% Wool; 44 yd/40 m per 100 g skein); Color: Conch; 1 skein
And:
US 17 (12 mm) needles

Cream sample
Finished measurements: 21” circumference and 7” tall, shown in 2.5 stitches per inch gauges, using:
Mirasol Yarns Yaya; (100% Wool; 54 yd/50 m per 100 g skein); Color: 1500; 1 skein
And:
US 15 (10 mm) needles

Needles: I would recommend a 20” circular for this pattern. A 16” circular will be cumbersome because the yarn is so thick that bunching is a real problem. You could also use a much longer circular needle and employ the magic loop method.