This cowl is part of the leethal Short Stripes Trio - 3 different accessory patterns which each feature short rows and stripes! Robin the shawl, Barry the hat, and Maurice the cowl (this pattern) all play with stripes and short rows in different ways, and are all fun and unique designs with lots of variations. (Each single pattern is $6; the whole trio is $12.)

This cowl is a quick and easy(ish) knit, but with three different versions, each in three sizes, a couple different color options, plus any-gauge and color modification options, this one simple cowl can be made over and over for completely different results!

Use two colors throughout the whole piece, or incorporate a new color each time you start a new section. The narrow and long loop cowls in two sections are both symmetrical, with a curved shape; the wide cowl is worked in three asymmetrical sections.

While the piece is constructed in the round, it is worked entirely in short rows, all knit stitches for a garter stitch fabric. And, because the short rows are worked over garter stitch, there’s no need to work wraps together with wrapped stitches, making the short rows simpler than usual!

It may take a couple repeats to get the flow of the pattern down, but once you do, it’ll be a fun and easy knit, for a stylish and wearable finished cowl!

Detailed modification notes explain how to substitute any weight yarn and get the size you want, how to make an extra huge (long and wide) size variation, and how to work with colors in different striping patterns.

Photo tutorials are included for how to cleanly carry yarns between short rows and switch yarns to avoid holes and keep a neat back side.

The 7 page pattern includes lots of photos, to show the different versions, sizes, etc, but the main part of the pattern itself is one one photoless page for easy printing.

You need

• aran weight yarn in 2 or more colors - estimates are for small{medium, large}
• -- narrow cowl: approx 120{150, 180} yards / 110{140, 165} meters total
• -- wide cowl: approx 160{195, 230} yards / 150{180, 210} meters total
• -- long loop: approx 240{285, 330} yards / 220{260, 300} meters total
• size US 10 1/2 / 6.5 mm circular needles, or size to get gauge
• -- for narrow/wide cowls, 16 inch / 40 cm circular
• -- for long loop, 24-40 inch / 60-100 cm circular
• 3 stitch markers (different colors/types)

The samples:

• Cascade Soft Spun (MC is Dark Teal, CC1 is Gray, CC2 is Orange) - medium size narrow cowl.
• Malabrigo Merino Worsted (MC is Loro Barranquero variegated) and Knitted Wit Super Wash Merino Aran (CC’s are Prussian Blue) - small size narrow cowl.
• Malabrigo Twist (MC is Velvet Grapes) and Alpaca with a Twist Highlander (CC’s are North Sea) - small size wide cowl.
• Thick+thin bulky handspun yarn (MC) and Noro Chirimen DK weight (CC’s are self-striping color 2) - large size wide cowl.
• Austermann Natura (MC is Silver, CC1 is Olive, CC2 is Burgundy) - small size long loop.

Gauge
3.25 sts and 7 rows per inch / 2.5 cm, in garter stitch (13 sts per 4 inches / 10 cm).

Your two yarns can be different weights, as long as they balance out to be the correct gauge when worked in 2x2 garter stitch stripes. You can use yarns ranging from heavy worsted to light-ish bulky, paired with the right size needles to get gauge, lighter yarns making for lighter weight cowls, thicker yarns making heavier cowls.

There are notes included for modifying the pattern to use any weight yarn, for any gauge (remember a finer weight will need more yardage!); there are also notes for working with different color combinations.

Colors
All versions are written for one MC (main color) yarn and multiple CC yarns (contrasting colors). The MC must stay the same yarn throughout the whole piece; the CC yarns can either all be the same, or change as you switch sections. Narrow cowl and long loop versions have two sections, so they can have up to two different CC yarns; the wide cowl has three sections, for up to three CC’s.

During the first section, CC1 will actually act as the main color (with 4 row stripes, MC with 2 row stripes); in the last section they will switch and MC will be the main color (4 row wide stripes).

You’ll always need approx half of the total yardage in MC, half in CC. If using multiple CC’s, this half of the yardage is divided as follows:

• Narrow cowl and long loop CC1 is a bit more than 2/3 of total CC; CC2 is a bit less than 1/3 of CC.
• Wide cowl CC1 is a bit less than half of total CC yardage; CC3 (in middle section) is approx 1/3 of CC; CC2 (in last section) is 1/5 of CC yardage.

Sizing
The approximate sizes for the three versions, in recommended gauge, are as follows for the small{medium, large} sizes.

• Narrow cowl circumferences: 26{30, 34} inches / 66{76, 86} cm.

• Narrow cowl widths: 6{7, 8} inches / 15{17.5, 20} cm.

• Wide cowl circumferences: 22{26, 30} inches / 56{66, 76} cm.

• Wide cowl widths: 8.5{9.5, 10.5} inches / 21.5{24, 26.5} cm.

• Long loop circumferences: 52{60, 68} inches / 132{152, 172} cm.

• Long loop widths: 6{7, 8} inches / 15{17.5, 20} cm.