Lovely Ribbed Cowl
I came to the surprising realization last winter that I am someone who prefers a cowl to a scarf. Perhaps it’s because I live in a drafty old house and always want something toasty around my neck, something that stays put, something chic and easy, something that doesn’t find its way into the soup I’m making or the dog food I’m pouring!
So I decided to make a cowl that is as simple to knit as it is to wear. I love the idea of a vertically ribbed cowl that gently hugs your neck like your favorite turtleneck sweater. However, one thing I definitely didn’t want was a whiplash collar, so this cowl is knit in a relaxed gauge that creates soft, billowing ripples. With a very loose bind off, it subtly widens at the bottom for an easy and totally comfy fit. Beginners will love the do-able challenge, and old pros will appreciate the late-night-movie no-brainer!
The simplicity of this pattern serves as a great platform for gorgeous yarn. I spent a lot of time talking through the options with all of our wonderful knitters at Purl Soho. Yarn aficionado, Faye, suggested one of our all time favorites, Blue Sky’s Suri Merino. With its wonderful drape, soft halo and palette of lovely vintage colors, everything about Suri Merino is perfect for this Lovely Ribbed Cowl! Be cozy! -Page
Update: September 2013
Here’s another idea! Try the Lovely Ribbed Cowl in Purl Soho’s very own Worsted Twist, a gorgeous 100% merino wool that knits up with crisp definition and classic simplicity. Plus, it’s incredibly soft and cozy, just what you need in a cold autumn breeze!
Pick up two skeins of Worsted Twist right here, and use the same easy-as-pie pattern as the original Suri Merino version!
Update: February 2018
This Cowl’s newest sibling, our Lovely Ribbed Scarf, is also a 2 x 2 rib, and so, you see, that to us, the simplicity is the beauty. There are no quirks or genius behind these patterns, nor video tutorial for clarifying the instructions. And that ease is why we also chose this pattern to be the first to represent our brand new Good Wool.
Update: March 2018
A Lovely Ribbed Hat to match! Our Hat retains the soul of the ones worn on docks and decks since who-knows-when, but it has certainly dispensed with the itch. Knit up in our incredibly soft Season Alpaca, this simple hat is sumptuous and warm and wonderful on the head!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoLovelyRibbedCowl. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Suri Merino Version
- 2 skeins of Blue Sky’s Suri Merino, 60% baby suri, and 40% merino. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 328 yards required.
This color is Earth. - US 7 (4.5 mm), 20-inch circular needles
- US 8 (5 mm) circular, straight or even double pointed needles (for binding off)
- Stitch marker or scrap yarn
Worsted Twist Version
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 328 yards required. We used the color Oyster Gray.
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 20-inch circular needles
- US 8 (5 mm) circular, straight or even double pointed needles (for binding off)
- Stitch marker or scrap yarn
Gauge
8½ stitches = 1 inch in 2 x 2 rib (unstretched)
Size
16 inches high and 18 inches in circumference (unstretched)
Pattern
With the smaller circular needle, cast on 156 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 16 inches from the cast on edge.
Using the larger needle, bind off loosley in rib pattern. (Using a bigger needle for the bind off causes that edge to flare out slightly, giving your cowl some pretty, subtle shaping. Make sure to wear your cowl with the bind off edge at the bottom and the cast on edge at the top.)
Weave in the ends and you’re done!
I’m thinking about knitting this or the mistake rib cowl in manos de uruguay and am wondering if the drape will be right. I love all your suggestions, in particular the 6 ply cashmere, but I always hesitate substituting yarns as the results can be so different. Should I really just aim for the same gauge. I notice the manos is a lighter weight–will that be okay?
Hi Roberta,
Thanks for writing in! This cowl would be lovely in the Manos Maxima, which knits at a similar gauge to the Worsted Twist. Maxima is a perennial favorite at the shop and would have a lovely drape here. If you were to knit the mistake rib cowl using Maxima, you would have to size up your needle a bit to a US 7 or 8 as it is a bit heavier than the Mulberry Merino. Either way, I think you are in for a lovely project!
Best,
Cassy
Would you use the same size needles and the same number of stitches using malabrigo super wash merino wool., also malabrigo silky merino, 51% silk 49% merino wool.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! We used a worsted weight yarn for this lovely cowl! If you are using Malabrigo Rios, this is a worsted and your needles and cast on should be the same! Malabrigo Silky Merino appears to be a DK and as such you may need to go down a needle size or two and add additional stitches. This pattern will work over any multiple of 4 stitches so you will want to knit a gauge swatch in rib and measure how many stitches you are getting per inch and multiply that by the 18 inch circumference. You will then want to cast on the nearest multiple of 4 stitches!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I have some lovely Anzula for Better or Worsted – could I do this pattern in that?
Hi Gayle,
Yes Anzula would be lovely for this.
Enjoy,
Melissa
Hello! Lovely beginner project. Could I use 16 inch circular needles for this or would it be a tight fit? Thanks!
Hello Shauna,
Thank you for reaching out and for your kind words! I think that 16″ might be a bit to small. I would go up to 20″s for this project.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
What is the best way to join the two skeins?
Hi Tara,
Great question! To add a new ball of yarn, you can simply start knitting with the new ball, as we show in our Adding a Ball of Yarn tutorial.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
What kind (s) of cast on do you recommend for this project?
Hi Nicole,
Great question! We use a Long Tail Cast On for most of our projects – it is a great multi-purpose cast on that works well for almost any knitted item. You could substitute a Long Tail Tubular Cast On if you are up for a challenge!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Are you currently selling Blue Sky’s Suri Merino?
Hello Judy,
Thank you for reaching out! We no longer carry this yarn, but it is not discontinued so you will still be able to find it somewhere if need be.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Although I could find your Worsted Twist through your Search box, the links on this page’s pattern wouldn’t work.
Hello Judy,
Thanks for letting us know!
Best,
Marilla
Hello! Thank you for sharing this beautiful project. I see it calls for 20-inch circular needles (which I would need to buy), but could I possibly use 24-inch (which I already have)? Many thanks!
Hi Michele,
Thanks for reaching out! The 24″ may be a little long and be a bit tight when working in the round, it could be doable but I would be a little hesitant for over-stretching the stitches. I think I would stick to a 20″ if possible!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thanks for the reply and the advice, Gianna! I thought that would be the case, but felt it was worth asking just in case. Happy Holidays! Michele
Hello, do 20” circular needles exist? I have the Chiagoo interchangeable and there is no 20” cable?
Hi Lee,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes 20″ circular needles do exist! They are sometimes not included in interchangeable sets since it is a less common length, but many companies often sell that size cable separately! We love SKACEL Addi Turbo Circular Needles and you can fin the 20″ option there!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi,
Would your good wool brand work for your lovely ribbed cowl?
Thank you!
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use Good Wool For this cowl! However, Good Wool is a bit fine compared to the Suri Merino we used originally so I recommend working a gauge swatch first with a more appropriate needle size and you can adjust the cast on amount from there!
Warmly,
Gianna
I am confused as to which yarn to use for the cowl. Seems like you no longer carry the Worsted Twist. What is your recommendation? Please and thank you!
Hi Renee,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern is actually very easy to adapt for nearly any yarn. If you’re looking for a yarn that’s similar to Worsted Twist, then I’d recommend Simply Yak, Plenty, or Knitting Yarn.
You may need to adjust the number of stitches you cast on though, if your gauge is different from the gauge of the pattern. To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern (if this is daunting, we have a wonderful tutorial called All About Gauge). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest multiple of 4 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you! If I go with Plenty, how many skeins will I need? Thanks
Hi Renee,
You’ll probably need 3 skeins of Plenty to make a cowl of the same dimensions as our original!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks again. Will be ordering the Plenty. If I only use 2 skeins, can I return the third if unopened. You have been a big help.
Renee
Yes, you can absolutely return any skeins in their original condition! Here’s a link to our return policy for more details.
All the best,
Lili
I bought the Plenty to make this cowl. And I will knit a gauge first. But do you also recommend a different size needle? I know that will also depend on my gauge, but wondering if I should start with a different size based on what you know about the different yarns.
Thank you!
Hi Renee,
We recommend using size US 8, 9, or 10 with Plenty! I’d suggest trying one of those first and seeing how you like the texture of the knit fabric. Then, once you’ve decided on needles, and if the gauge is different, you will need to adjust the stitch count so that the cowl comes to the correct size.
To figure out your cast-on number, you can multiply the number of stitches per inch by the circumference of the cowl and cast on the nearest multiple of 4. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili