To see a video of the cowl, please click here.

At first glance, this cowl seems to have simple two-color stripes – but look again! Seen at a slight angle, you can see dark and light shapes within the stripes. This is shadow (or illusion) knitting!

It’s deceptively easy to make – just knits, purls and circular knitting. Because every other round is knitted plain, it’s quite relaxing. The “illusion” becomes visible only after several rounds but after that, it’s addictive!

The cowl is worked seamlessly in the round from bottom up, beginning and ending with a seed stitch edging in DC. Pattern is both written and charted.

This design came about because I wanted a fresh and easy, yet interesting project in between working on more complicated patterns. And I’ve always wanted to learn shadow knitting! To keep the pattern accessible to as many people as possible, I wrote a pattern which would be easy for a relatively new knitter, and fun for a more experienced one.

It’s been a while since I put a free pattern out, and this one is meant to convey my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for this crafting community which has brought me so much joy. This is something in return! Hope you love it as much as I do! If you enjoy the pattern, please consider leaving a fave or comment – thank you!

Skill level: Advanced beginner: knit, purl, circular knitting

Yarn: Vardhman Zigzag, 88% acrylic 12% nylon; sport weight; 289yds/264m/100g; shades #11 (LC) and #18 (DC): one skein each. This 2ply yarn has alternating lengths of a solid color and a marled 2-color within the same skein: LC = tan and tan/fuschia, DC = dark blue and dark blue/bright blue.
You may use any sport weight yarn that will give you gauge. For best results, use a needle 2 sizes smaller than recommended on the yarn band, and the same yarn in two high-contrast colors.

Actual yardage used for cowl in photos: LC 38g (110yds/101m); DC 48g (139yds/127m)
Because the cowl uses less than half a skein of each color, you can get 2 cowls out of one skein each of LC and DC.

Gauge: 19 sts/36 rows = 4” (10cm) in Body pattern, unblocked/blocked

Needles & notions: US 2½ (3mm) 16” circular needles (or longer for magic loop); stitch markers, tapestry needle

Finished size: About 24” (61cm) circumference and 11” (28cm) height