Color work has taken my fancy lately and I have been trying out alternative techniques to stranded (Fair Isle) color work. Rowlock Cowl features Barbara Walker’s “Wave and Box” stitch, an amazing motif that employs slip stitches and alternating the two colors every row, avoiding the need to carry yarn along the back of the work. I love the way the stripes bend into the slip stitch bricks, giving a fluid wavy look to the fabric.

Rowlock Cowl is generous in size and versatility. Its wide flute base can be pulled down over the shoulders for extra warmth while its long “stovepipe” collar can be pulled up for snug fit about the chin to keep out the colder winter winds. This cowl fits nicely inside your winter coat. It can also be your secret weapon in a chilly office.

Some other ideas to make this motif pop: Use one solid (MC) and one variegated (CC) for a “Faux-Isle” effect. Or why not use up your sock yarn leftovers? Using a solid for the main color, change the contrast yarn every 8 rows of the pattern motif for a stripy look. Without the need to carry colors and alternating yarns every row, the brick and stripe pattern is so simple and fun to knit. Even the less experienced knitter will find the Rowlock cowl easy to work with confidence!

Materials:
2 skeins of 100 grams (approx 400 yards total) of contrast color fingering weight yarn, shown here using Madeleine Tosh Sock
Yarn Note: The main colour (MC) is best as a solid color. The contrast colour (CC) could be solid, variegated, or multi-color scraps of the appropriate weight.
3.5 mm 20” circular needle
3.75 mm 20” circular needle
Wool needle
Stitch marker

Skills Used: Knitting in the round, tubular cast-on (optional), double hem ( bound off to inside of work or sewn to finish)

Measurements:
Circumference- Top 23”, Bottom 38”
Depth- 20”

Gauge:
24 sts/ 29 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch using 3.75mm needle or size to obtain gauge.

Questions or comments? Please contact Ash Kearns directly or join my Ravelry group, Ash Kearns Handknitting!