The Dude’s Cowl by Maren Odenthal

The Dude’s Cowl

Knitting
February 2021
Super Bulky (5-6 wpi) ?
11 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch, worked flat, measured unblocked
US 15 - 10.0 mm
263 - 350 yards (240 - 320 m)
1 & 2 /// height: 37 cm | 14.5 in (both sizes) /// lower circumference: 83 cm | 32.5 in (both sizes) /// upper circumference: 41.5 cm | 16.5 in (50 cm | 19.5 in) /// to pull over a head circumference up to: 55 cm | 21.5 in (63 cm | 25 in)
English

This cowl combines a playful oversize drape with a comfy coziness around your neck.

The Dude’s Cowl is inspired by a favorite movie classic by the Coen Brothers: The Big Lebowski.
Its awesome hero, named ‘The Dude’, is a laid-back and easy-going guy, living in L.A., chilling with his friends while bowling and drinking his favorite cocktail all the time.
When somebody enters his house and pees on his rug, the plots get in motion, because he really likes the rug…
His generally casual Big City Lifestyle, combined with a determined fight for what is important to him, became my inspiration for this cowl.

Construction
The unisex cowl is created bottom up in a very cozy and dense texture. After a big straight lower section, comes a heavy decrease, followed by a shorter straight upper section.
Both borders curl naturally and show off the other beautiful
texture from the inside.

The smaller size 1 creates a very snug hug around your neck. If you have a small head (like I do) and like to be kept toasty warm –
choose this one.

The bigger size 2 is a lot looser. It’s for those of you who don’t like to feel strangled and have a big head (like my husband does).

Special technique
The texture of this cowl is essentially created with the herringbone stitch, but without changing direction. For those wanting to learn this new technique, written, photo and video tutorials are provided in the pattern.

Needles
one set of 55 cm | 22 in circular needles
in size 10 mm (US 15)

one set of 35 cm | 14 in circular needles
in size 10 mm (US 15)

(if you have interchangeable needles one more needle tip
in size 9 mm (US 13))

Yarn used
the petite wool from we are knitters
100% wool
140 m | 153 yd | 100 g
shown examples are both knit with 2 skeins in ivory (each cowl)

Yardage
240 – 320 m | 263 – 350 yd | 170 – 230 g

Gauge
18 sts x 16 rnds = 10 cm (4 in)
in pattern stitch, worked in-the-round, measured after blocking.
→ Try this, if you want to practice the stitch pattern.

11 sts x 24 rows = 10 cm (4 in)
in garter stitch, worked flat, measured unblocked.
→ Try this, if you want to get started asap.

Notions
15 stitch markers (one looking different to mark the BOR)
tapestry needle

Enjoy & Relax!