Big Herringbone Cowl
This winter New York City streets are filled with people who have learned the secret of keeping warm. They are all wrapped up in the big soft folds of the oversized cowl. A long loop that you twist and double around your neck, it’s definitely a glamorous touch in a what can otherwise be pretty frumpy season. Don’t you love when fashion and function meet in such happy harmony?
This cowl was inspired by Joelle’s classic Herringbone Poncho from her very first book, Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I have always been so taken with the drape and texture of Joelle’s poncho that I was really excited to borrow her idea for this project!
I stuck with Joelle’s choice of yarn, Blue Sky’s Worsted, because it is by far one of Purl Soho’s softest, most cuddly yarns, perfect for wearing around sensitive skin areas like your neck. A blend of fine merino wool and royal alpaca, it has a beautiful weight that creates cascading, dramatic fabrics. Just what I was looking for!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
The cowl’s final look keeps one foot in the past with a traditional herringbone stitch. It’s such a distinctive stitch on such a powerful garment, you’re going to feel about one foot taller when you wear yours! -Whitney
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Want to print this pattern? On desktop, find the “print” icon in the right margin, and on mobile, scroll to the end of the pattern for it. Use the on-screen instructions to remove anything you don’t want to print!
Materials
- 5 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca’s Worsted, 50% Royal Alpaca and 50% Merino; approximately 500 yards required. This color is “Ecru” #2003.
- A US 17 (12 mm), 32 inch circular needle
- A removable jumbo stitch marker
Shop our wonderful collection of aran + worsted-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
15 stitches = 4 inches in herringbone stitch
Size
58 inches circumference x 14 inches high
NOTE
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over an even number of stitches.
Pattern
Cast on 220 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
NOTE: To ensure that your first round isn’t too difficult, cast on fairly loosely; your stitches should easily slide up and down the needle.
Join into the Round
Make sure the stitches aren’t twisted around the needle, and slip the last stitch you cast on from the right needle to the left needle (so that it is next to the first stitch cast on).
Place a removable jumbo stitch marker on the right needle.
Knit two together (k2tog) and slip only the first stitch off the left needle (leaving the second stitch on the needle)…
…so it looks like this.
Continue
Round 1: *K2tog and slip only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until 1 stitch remains.
Remove the stitch marker and k2tog, slipping the first stitch off the left needle. Place the stitch marker to the right of the first stitch on the right needle.
The next stitch looks like this…
Remove that stitch from the needle, twist it, and place it back on the left needle so it looks like this…
Round 2: *K2tog through the back loop (tbl), slipping the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * to last stitch, remove stitch marker and k2tog tbl, slipping the first stitch off the left needle. Place the stitch marker to the right of the first stitch on the right needle.
The next stitch looks like this…
Remove that stitch from the needle, twist it, and place it back on the left needle so it looks like this…
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 14 inches from cast on edge, ending with all the steps of Round 2.
Here’s what the right side of Herringbone Stitch looks like:
And here’s what the wrong side looks like:
Bind Off
NOTE: You will continue to work Herringbone Stitch for the bind off.
Bind Off Round: [K2tog and slip first stitch off left needle] 2 times, pass first stitch over (just like a normal bind off), *k2tog and slip first stitch off left needle, pass first stitch over, repeat from * until 2 stitches remain (1 stitch on the left needle and 1 stitch on the right needle), knit last stitch tbl and pass first stitch over.
Weave in the ends, gently block and then bundle up!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Does this yarn pill? A lot or a little?
That looks so soft and gorgeous! Might have to attempt this one before winter's over 🙂
This is a beautiful stitch! I've never seen it before! I'll have to give this a try.
This is a great looking stitch, looks very unusual. Do you think it would work on a hat?
That looks so great! New to me and looks a little bit complicated but I'll give a try with your good photos! Really beautiful cowl!
So beautiful!
Hello – are there any other suggestions on what yarn I could use? I am based in the UK and this yarn is not easy to come by…i am also relatively new to knitting so not great at finding substitute yarns.
thanks for the pattern – it looks so beautiful!
I LOVE this pattern! Have never seen this stitch before and cannot stop looking at it. Thank you!
I have 29″ #17 needles- Would that be too much of a squeeze? 220 is quite a lot of stiches…
Cheers!
Super awesome! Thanks.
I love anything in herringbone and this, my friend, is particularly gorgeous. Thank you.
mi piace tantissimo questo punto a ferri!!! ma non riesco a capire, visto che sono italiana, l'esecuzione del punto specialmente l'inizio e i primi due passi…potrei avere una maggiore spiegazione??? anche in video Grazie!!!
I love your site and the way your pattens are photographed. every thing is so beautiful. This scarf is awesome, but I think I need a video tutorial for the pattern. Your instructions are always clear, but this confuses me a little. I would love, love, love to make this scarf.
i darn say it…but i'm confused too. also can you share what the gauge should be in stockinette stitch.
Did you use all 500 yards or close to? The yarn I've chosen….well 2 skeins are 420 yards. Is that enough? Oh I hope it is. Please let me know! I'm ready to CO!
I'm ready to make this beautiful cowl – do you have any other yarn suggestions from your site?
I tried finding the size 17/32″ circular needles on your site, and you don't have them. Any suggestions. Not an easy size to find.
I'm also a little confused! How is the second of the k2tog stiches slipped off the left needle onto the right? I've read and re-read the instructions – am I missing this somewhere?
I have a terrible time knitting in the round…my hand cramps up horribly! How would one do this stitch to make something flat such as a scarf?
This is beautiful!
I just re-read the pattern, and answered my own question.
Finished Size
14 inches wide and 58 inches around
I have 60″ circular needles, so I'm going to stretch it out and try … looks like it should fit.
(of course my yarn is too bulky … so that will add to the size )
… either way I'm going to enjoy trying the herringbone stitch
I also don't know what to do with the second stitch… Do you use it to K2tog with the next stitch?
This cowl is absolutely gorgeous, and I desperately want to make it. I just have one question. As a broke college student, are there any yarns you can suggest substituting? Or qualities I should look for in a yarn? The yarn and needle you used would be most of my paycheck. 🙁
Hi Diana,
Yes, you've got it – your next k2tog is made with the second stitch from the previous k2tog plus the next stitch! It ends up that each stitch actually gets knit twice.
Please let us know if you have any more questions – we'd be happy to help!
Thank you for your question,
Whitney
Thank you! Lovely post, and I've learned a new stitch. I've taken to making my own yarn and using whatever needles are available to make things.. so I've adapted a bit of this to make a neck warmer.. thanks again.
I saw this post after i bgt some yarn from your website, ready to knit a scarf! I bgt Manos Del Uruguay handspun semi solids. Any idea if i can use that for this crowl? and i can only find a 9mm needle at the yarn store. Will that do? how do i know how much to adjust for the pattern?
Thank you in advance!!!=D
Whitney and friends! This cowl is beautiful. I just knit the whole thing with a different yarn (same weight as the Blue Sky) and the recommended needles following the instructions exactly. At the end I decided that with the yarn I was using I could stand to use size #15 needles instead (it's too loose and seems to be vulnerable to pulls) and is about 5 inches too long (I like them so that I only twist it twice and it hugs my neck- this one is long enough to twist three times.
That said I used Stitch Nation “Full o Sheep” yarn and it only took two skeins to make the whole thing. I am planning on redoing it with the #15 needles taking out about forty stitches and I think then it will be perfect for me!
Thanks so much for the pattern, other Whitney!
Happy knitting,
-Whitney S
seems like everyone posting blogs could print the pattern ,but me! what a beauty! you gave such great instructions, that it seems that it's available straight from the site–beautiful site, by the way!
are there any video tutorials for this stitch? i think i had the first row correct, but when it came to k2tog tbl i kept getting a double stitch…twisted etc. i have to start over now!
i'd love to just be able to see details for the tbl row…
thanks!
O, so beautiful. Will keep it in mind!
Which cast on do you recommend? I'm having trouble with backward loop on the circular needles and knit cast on looks too prominent.
Thanks for the beautiful pattern!
Christi
Thankyou, I am loving it!
beautiful.
Hi Christi,
I would recommend using the Long Tail Cast On (for this and most every other project!). We have a tutorial here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/cast-on-tutorial/
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
This scarf is gorgeous! I'm just starting on my first knitting project, I think I'm a long ways away from figuring this out. I just don't understand how knitting in the round works.
HI Orangesugar-
Thanks for your nice comment. If you want to try knitting in the round a hat is a good place to start. Here is a fairly simple one:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2010/11/21/whits-knits-winter-hats-for-everybody.html
These handwarmers would also be a good introduction:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/ribbed-hand-warmers/
Good Luck!
– Molly
To Rachel:
I adapted it for working straight by knitting the K2tog row as a P2tog (WS) and the K2tog tbl the same as in the pattern (RS). I hope this helps! It is certainly a beautiful stitch.
Sierra, I had the same question, thank you, it works great! What an elegant pattern.
Anyone have thoughts on needle size if making this with a chunky yarn? I have seven skeins of a beautiful very pale lavender alpaca that I'd love to use for this. I tried knitting it up on size 15s, and while I loved the look, the fabric was a bit too dense. Since I won't be able to use the needles I have already and will need to purchase a pair, I'd love any suggestions from folks who've worked similarly dense stitches with bulkier yarns. Thanks!
From the photo, it looks like the edges of the cowl lie flat. I've been looking for a nice stitch that gives weight to the finished project, and yet would lie flat for use in a scarf. Do you think this would work well for a scarf?
Hi Helen,
My guess is that you would have trouble keeping a regular scarf flat with the Herringbone Stitch because the stitch is essentially all knitting on one side and all purling on the other. The edges of the cowl did curl a little bit (especially the bind off edge), but with blocking, plus the weight and size of the fabric it does end up nice and flat, but I don't think you would have this kind of result with a traditional scarf shape.
Thanks so much for your question,
Whitney
i got it!!
i was tring this patter 1 hour (*o*)omg
(i have many times because of catching influenza!)
i could not understand row 2
but now i can knit it !
so beautiful stitchs (^o^)
Thanks so much for the pattern. It is snowing right now and I am adding this to my list of must knits.
Help!
Having a horrible time with this. Using Addi circular 47″ – should have plenty of room for the stitches– but the needles are very crowded & twist like crazy. I'm casting on loosely as suggested. When it comes time to do the 1st round, my stitches keep slipping off my left needle- becoming a mess. I've had to start over 3 times now.
What am I doing wrong?
About to give up & just knit a long herringbone panel & sew the dang thing together!
Thank you so much for this pattern – I made it right away! Although it shows all my dropped stitches, (I am still very much an amateur) I just love how snuggly it is! Here is my full report. 🙂 http://wickednweird.blogspot.com/2011/02/knitting-madness.html I really appreciate you posting lovely patterns like this and the way you photograph them is just beautiful. Keep it up!
Hi Jennifer,
I'm not sure that you're doing anything wrong – the first couple of rounds are a bit challenging, but if you get through them the knitting becomes a lot easier – I promise! I'm wondering if you know that after you join the stitches into the round it doesn't matter if your stitches twist around the needle – no need to tame them! And for the slipping, try holding the stitches on the left needle with your left index finger.
Good luck!
Whitney
Good Evening.. Like everyone I too love your Herringbone Cowl – It is so beautiful.
I am wondering if I might find the written pattern rather than trying to
follow the video..??
Also I have some Berocco Baby Alpaca yarn (3 Skeins)
Yards + 645 yds or 198 meters
I don't have your US Size 17 inch needle but have 10mm Addi-Turbo Circular
needles.. Does it matter?? I have no idea where I could find 17″ inch US
circular needle (which is Size 12″ mm) for those of us here in Canada
If I am not able to find the actual Yarn you used can I use another yarn?
Thank You..
Hi Sandy-
Thank you for your questions. Here are some answers:
Here is a link to our size 17 circular needles, and we ship to Canada: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles
You can use any heavy worsted weight yarn, which would get 3.5 stitches per inch in normal stockinette.
I'm not sure what you mean by the video, as this pattern isn't a video, and is written out. You might find it helpful to look at Joelle's book Last Minute Knitted Gifts, for another explanation of the stitch. The book is available here:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/purl/products/item/635
Thanks again. Happy Knitting!- Molly
I just wanted to thank you for the picture tutorial.
I knit for 30+ years, and now for the first time the herringbone, thanks to you.
Very very nicely done. Thanks for the trouble.
I love this pattern!! Too many things on the go right now to start, but it's definitely going in my faves!
The picture tutorial is excellent! Rarely are photo tutorials so large and clear. It really makes it easy to follow. I have a feeling I'll be back to your blog!
~ Jessica
I found several tutorials on youtube, and as the recipe says, when you're working on a circular needle, just knit in the back loop instead of turning you work as you would if you we're knitting back and forth.
Search for “my so called scarf” for tutorials.
Hello there!
thankfully to your blog, I just discovered the herringbone stitch and fell in love with it. I would like to use this to outline the stockinette stitch blanket I plan to knit soon – so my question is, how I do the row 2 of this stitch? Just P2tog as Sierra proposed?
I am sorry if the question was already answered 🙂
Love this! THANK you for the awesome pics – removes all doubt!
I absolutely love your site!!! I am making a multicolored cowl, and it looks spectacular in this stitch. your directions are really clear, and i enjoy your writing style and enthusiasm, i have one question. when Knitting and purling, its easy to backtrack and fix a mistake. but i have no idea how to with this stitch. can you possibly post a video clip to demonstrate? I see that i am years away from the original posts, so i hope you see this comment. thanks again 🙂
HI Cathryn,
Thanks for your kind words! We unfortunately don't have a video showing how to unknit the Herringbone Stitch, but I did offer some advice to a reader a few comments ago. Here's what I said:
Working with the wrong side facing you, insert the right needle purlwise into the two stitches below the one you're taking out, and let that stitch fall off the left needle. Then push the right needle back to free it from the stitch that is remaining on it and insert it purlwise into the two stitches beneath the next stitch you're removing.
That last step of pushing your right needle back happens quite naturally, so that as you get into the rhythm, it just seems like you're inserting your needle into the two stitches below the one you're unknitting.
I hope this gets you on the right path! Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
I tried this cowl several times with a variety of yarns and even though I am a seasoned beginner, I couldn't get any space between my rows so my needles were on top of each other constantly. I tried different needle sizes and no luck. I can;t figure out what I am doing wrong. THe cowl is beautiful and shouldn't be that difficult to knit Any ideas?
Hi daphne,
Do you mean that the knitting feels tight and that it's difficult getting the tip of your right needle into the stitches? If that's the case, then you probably need to try even bigger needles. For this stitch I used needles that are five sizes bigger than I would normally use with this yarn!
I hope this helps. If not, please let us know and we'll try to get you on the right path! Thanks for your question!
Whitney
I would like to make this into a scarf and keep the herringbone oriented in the long axis as pictured. Do you think that would be too big? Also, I knit very loosely, so do you think it would take the same number of skeins?
Hi Alice,
If yours ends up being 58 inches like this one, then no, that's not too long at all! And yes, you'll probably need the same number of skeins, although you could leave one unwound and exchange it if you don't end up using it.
Thanks for your questions and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
Lovely pattern that has proven a nice challenge for a beginner.
I have a question about round 2 (K2tog through the back loop): Your instructions say to knit "to last stitch." Does that mean to knit until 1 stitch remains before the marker (as with the previous round) or to knit the last stitch prior to the marker AND the stitch after the marker?
Perhaps it doesn't matter, but I'm relatively new to knitting and trying to avoid more mistakes. Thanks.
Hi Erin,
Work "to last stitch" means to work until one stitch remains before the marker (as for the first round). When you remove the marker, you will be knitting together through the back loop the last stitch of Round 2 and the first stitch of the next round.
I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have anymore questions and good luck!
Whitney
Gorgeous, unbeleavable !
You gotta be kidding about a 32 inch circular. I cannot even cast on 220 stitches with less than a 40 inch. I went out and bought a 47 inch just to be sure. But this is the most fun knit I have done since my last Steven West pattern and the yarn is a freaking dream!!!!
Hi Purl Bee!
This is a beautiful pattern and I can't wait to try it. Some questions though, I would like to do this project as a short cow. Is it possible to do this, and if so, what multiple of CO stitches would this pattern need?
Thank you so much for your patterns and ideas!
I have made one of these cowls, using the Blue Sky and I love, love, love it. However, to more experienced knitters, it might be like the old saying "a face that only a mother could love"….. as it's full of mistakes… some identifiable (picked up my knitting and started off with the wrong row- more than once!) and some not so identifiable to me- (a fairly novice knitter) leaving holes and gaps and gnarly spots. It is still lovely though, and when it's on…. no one would notice the fair amount of imperfections!
I'm just starting my second, again with the Blue Sky, to give as a gift- and this time I'm determined to minimize the mistakes- so it looks as nice off as it does on! I just want to say that I've read through all of these comments- and Whitney- you are the best. I'm so impressed with your patience, not to mention the real help your answers are to me : ) Just a thanks- love the pattern, love the yarn, so appreciative of your input here!
Hi Char,
This stitch pattern can be worked on any number of stitches (it's not reliant on a certain multiple). To figure out how many you want you should multiply the gauge (3 3/4 stitches to the inch or whatever gauge you're working at) times the length the want and cast on that number.
Thanks so much for asking and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
I read comments here about the shedding tendency of certain yarn choices for this amazing cowl – specifically I have read here that Cascade Eco Wool had a high shed factor. Is this true of all alpaca blends? Is it true of Blue Sky? Can you also recommend alternatives in animal fibers that would give this cowl the loft and luxury it deserves that have a low to no shed factor? (If the alternatives could be price-ranked for the necessary 500 yd quantity, whether high to low, or low to high, that would be a bonus). Thanks!
Hi- LOVE this and can't wait to start…just curious, isn't US 17 a bit large for Aran weight? Thanks!
Hi Jaclyn-
Normally you are right, a size 17 would be very large for this yarn in stockinette or garter stitch. But because of the density of the herringbone stitch a larger needle is needed.
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you need any more help.
Best-
Molly
hello.i started knitting this cowl, but when knitting k2tog the stitches don't have the same leaning as when knitting the k2tog tbl.the stitches k2tog tbl are inclined to a bigger angle.is it supposed to look like this?thank you.i love your site 🙂
Hi Andrea,
It is true that because alpaca fibers are long, alpaca yarns do tend to shed. However, because Blue Sky's Worsted is a merino blend and also because of the way it is spun, it doesn't shed as much as most alpacas.
Some other options would be:
Cascade Eco Cloud (a bit of alpaca, but a woven spin)- https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8065-Cascade-Yarns-Eco-Cloud
or
Swan's Island Bulky- https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/4038-Swans-Island-Bulky-Indigo-Dyed AND https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8384-Swans-Island-Bulky
Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for these!
Whitney
Hi Valeria,
While the k2tog's should lean right and the k2tog tbl's should lean left, they should both have the same tension, and as you can see from the pictures, the overall effect should be fairly even.
If this isn't the case for you, perhaps you're not making the k2tog tbl's correctly. The Purl Bee doesn't have a tutorial or video for that particular technique quite yet, but Knitting Help does: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases
I hope this helps. If not, please let us know and we'll try to work it out! Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hi there,
I was pouring through the comments to see if someone had the same problem with different tension on the regular and tbl rows! The ktbls feel tighter to knit and also slant much more (maybe a 45 degree angle to horizontal), whereas the k2togs feel looser to knit and slant less (maybe a 70 degree angle to horizontal). This sort of ruins the V effect of the herringbone. I double checked the video and I am doing the k2tog tbls correctly. Any other thoughts??
Thank you!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! We have heard from other knitters who had similar problems. What has worked for some of them has been to gently pull the yarn on the right hand needle when knitting through the front and when knitting through the back, putting as little tension on the yarn as possible. That is to say vary your gauge/tension on the rows that you are finding to be tighter.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I absolutely love the look of this cowl, so luxurious. Just a quick question for you, though I do love the color and texture of Blue Sky's Worsted Hand Dyes, it is on the pricier side. Could Blue Sky's Worstes Cotton be used as an alternative? Would the cotton provide a similar weight and drape the same way the wool blend would? Thanks so much!
Ali
This is such a beautiful scarf. Can I make it shorter by casting on less stitches? Does the amount of stitches matter (short of being an even number)?
Thanks!!
Hi Lori,
You sure can! And no, the number of stitches doesn't matter, so just go for it!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
Hoping for help and advice – I am planning to make this cowl with Cascade Eco Wool. I love this yarn already but have not yet begun to knit with it because I am new to alpaca-containing yarn and first want to ask: do you recommend knitting the garment and then washing and blocking, or do you recommend washing the yarn first before beginning the project, in case it would control any shedding or stretching? Does this yarn tend to stretch? (the cowl unblocked is pretty long as it is) – just wondering what the best way is to work with it. Thanks!
Hi Andrea-
We always recommend knitting and then washing/ blocking. It's almost never a good idea to wash the yarn before you work with it. Also please keep in mind that this yarn is handwash only so make sure to wash it by hand!
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Thank you for all of the help so far! I have two more questions today:
1) What is the most invisible join you have found when it comes to joining in the next ball of yarn?
2) My stitches on cast-on do not go all the way around the 32" cable. So to join in the round (being scrupulously careful not to twist my stitches), do I divide my cast on stitches in half and pull out a "mini-loop" of cable between the two halves to make it possible for the stitches on the needles right and left meet up for the join?
Since I am waiting to hear the answer before I start the join, I am not sure how the cable being longer than the stitch circumference works out as the knitting commences. Can you say a word about how it will work?
Hi Andrea,
I always join a new ball the same way, which is to just start knitting with the new yarn (leaving a generous tail). This leaves a hole in the work which is later remedied when you weave in the ends.
If you're having trouble with your stitches reaching around the circumference of your needle, then yes, you can pull out some cord in a "loop" and join that way. But having said that and reading on to your final question, I'm a little confused. You should actually have no trouble reaching 220 stitches around a 32-inch needle. Also, the final circumference of the cowl is 58 inches, much longer than the cord. Did you cast on fewer stitches? If so, maybe you do, in fact, need a 24-inch circular needle.
Thanks for all your questions. Please let us know if you need any more help!
Whitney
Greetings, Whitney, and thanks for answering. I feel more confident now about what to do when it comes time to join; I was not sure how to keep "weaving in" invisible in this amazing stitch, it sort of leaves no place to hide and I did not know if spit splicing or doing any other kind of yarn join was preferred to leaving a long tail and just starting to knit with the new ball.
And regarding my question about cable circumference vs cast-on circumference, I did not mean to confuse the issue – but what I was doing was testing out the herringbone stitch with lighter weight yarn on smaller needles that happened to be joined by a cable that was longer than the swatch. So it may indeed not apply at all to the actual cowl, though I have seen posts where other knitters have said they needed to go up to a 40" cable and some went down in cable length, too. I am pretty new to knitting in the round on circular needles (mainly I have used DPNs to knit socks) and was trying to go through the mental exercise of picturing how it would work before I went through the physical attempt itself.
In the meantime, I did go through the physical attempt (yowza, what a cool stitch!) and found some videos on YouTube regarding "traveling loop" that were able to answer my question. I am good with my fingering weight trial on US 10.5 28" cable and am so excited now to get started on my Eco Cloud on US 17 32" cable since my fingers are smarter now.
I also must credit the YouTube video on knitting this magnificent cowl that was made by iKNITS for showing in action how to form this stitch. That, plus your clear photos, are really launching this wonderful piece and I can't wait to present it as a gift!
Thanks Whitney for answering my post. I have started it as a cowl. It is a beautiful design.
Is there a video or directions on correcting errors either on the row you're working
or errors a row or more away?? :0
Thanks!
@Andrea – I've also knit this with Eco Cloud and it is THE MOST comfy, cozy thing to keep you warm! I'm in love with it.
@purl bee – I have blocked it but the rolled edges keep coming back. Have you found if tension or binding perhaps, has an effect on the edge?
An absolutely beautiful stitch/pattern. Thank you!
Hi Lori,
We don't have a video or tutorial for fixing mistakes in this stitch, but here's what I can suggest…
It's most likely that you'll have to unkit your work back to the place where you made the mistake. I've given some advice to other readers on what to keep in mind when you're doing this. Here's what I've said…
Make sure that you slip your needle through the TWO stitches below each stitch that is on the needle. It may help to remember that each stitch is made by knitting two together, so you'll need to pick up both of those stitches.
I hope this helps! Thank you for your question and good luck!
Whitney
Hi Lianne,
There are a couple of additional things you could do to tame your edges. One is to add an Attached I-Cord. We have a tutorial on the subject here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-advanced-te/2008/1/23/attached-i-cord-tutorial.html
Or you could add a round of single crochet to each edge.
Neither solution will work a miracle, but both will help with the problem you're having!
Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi Whitney
Thanks for getting back to me. I was in the store the other day and was relieved to hear the seasoned knitters working that this pattern can bring one to their knees! All three said "make a mistake just forget it and keep going….don't look back"!!!
I am just about done with a herringbone cowl and I will absolutely knit more. It's sooo pretty. I just made myself check every row that it looks ok on front and back so I don't have to "undo" or worse rip out!!!!
Hi!
I am a huge fan of your projects (I've made quite a few! ) and love your store!
I would love to turn this into a baby blanket. After reading through some of the comments, I just want to make sure I'm getting this right. If I want a 36" blanket, would I cast on 135 stitches, not join in the round, and knit until I'm at the desired length? Is there anything else I would need to do for edges or would a border be necessary?
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the pattern! Love this herringbone stitch. Must say that it is VERY important to stitch loosely. My round 2 was slow going because I had my stitches too tight.
Hi Valerie,
Yes, exactly correct! Make sure that on the wrong side rows you p2tog instead of k2tog; and on the right side rows you K2tog tbl (like in the pattern). I would think that 5 or 6 rows of garter stitch at the beginning and end and on the sides would be a very nice touch!
Sounds beautiful! Please let us know if you have any more questions along the way and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi,
I was wondering could I knit this with a category 5 yarn? I started one with a cotton category 4 yarn, but it seems to be really holey ( if that makes sense).
Thanks, Roya
Hi Roya-
You should knit this in whatever yarn size and needle size gets you the correct gauge which, for this pattern is 15 stitches = 4 inches in the herringbone stitch.
Thank you for your question!
Molly
Is there any way to print out the directions, or just write them out? Pictures are great and helpful
Hi Tieta-
Yes, you can print this out in one of two ways:
1- Click the "print" button at the bottom of the story just before the comments. This will print all of the photos at their large size so it will be quite long.
2- Copy and paste just the text and photos you want into a Word or Text doc. This will be fewer pages.
Thanks for getting in touch about this!
Molly
I love this ! – "It's such a distinctive stitch on such a powerful garment, you're going to feel about one foot taller when you wear yours!"
Thank you for the pattern, its very beautiful despite my mistakes – dropped stitches and gaps during that tricky twisting stitch-traveling marker, but I think I know understand how the marker and have even fixed some dropped stitches (but only on the Row 2).
I have two questions First, my wrong side does not look like braiding rows, but braiding row, purl row, then braiding row – however the right side looks like the herringbone on the picture – do you think this because of differing tension of the rows or because of looping (I loop the yarn on top of the right needle on both k2tog and k2tog tbl)?
Also, do you have any insight or suggestion how to use two colors (i.e., could one introduce a new color at the marker or would it be better to start a new color in the middle; also would one change color every two rows or very one row?)
Hi Bettina,
It's possible that your back looks slightly different from our picture because of tension issues, but feel free to send us a photo of yours if you want to double check! (You should, by the way, wrap your yarn over the right needle in a counter clockwise direction for both rounds of the stitch.)
And I haven't tried to knit this stitch with two colors. I imagine that the "jog" (i.e. the disruption in stripes that happens when they are knit in the round) would form a diagonal line and would be pretty tricky to rectify. However, I encourage you to experiment! Maybe first try something with way fewer cast on stitches, like a hat, and if it works, then you have both a hat and an exciting new idea!
Thanks so much for your questions and good luck!
Whitney
Hi! I love this pattern and would like to make it using Blue Sky Suri Merino. How many skeins do you think I will need? Thanks!
Hi Lee,
Three skeins of Suri Merino should be just enough, although you might be safer with four. Also, in case you don't know, the Suri Merino is a bit thinner than the Worsted Hand Dyed. It's a good choice, but you may want to go down a needle size and/or cast on more stitches.
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
I tried casting on for this several times and had a terrible time getting the cast on loose enough to work the stitches around the needle. I tried a knitted cast on so that I could make the stitches super loose. That worked great! I wound the yard around my finger and the needle to make a good sized stick. Thought I would share the idea 🙂
Not sure if I'm asking this right but …What's the pattern count ( number of stitches per repeat ) as ild like to make this a bit smaller …
I haven't read other comments, but I'm wondering if there is a trick to keeping the edges flat. I've tried gently blocking but the edges still seem to curl. Anything else I could try? This is such a beautiful pattern! Thanks!
HI Stacey,
You can actually cast on any number of stitches you'd like and the repeat will work!
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
Hello Rana
The edges of the cowl do curl a little bit (especially the bind off edge), but with blocking, plus the weight and size of the fabric it does end up nice and flat. Because the Herringbone Stitch is essentially all knitting on one side and all purling on the other, it will have the tendency to roll.
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
Love the pattern, and it would all be coming along nicely except one problem: after a couple of rounds, I've noticed a problem going up right along the join / where I change from round 1 to round twothere's a messy-looking break in the pattern. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?
Hi George,
Like most knitting in the round that involves a stitch pattern or stripes, you will see a bit of a "seam" at the transition (in this case it's a diagonal seam). However, I found that giving an extra tug to the first stitch of every round really helped clean up the "jog".
Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
If you are knitting this on straight needles, how do you end the first row when you are down to one stitch?
The normal pattern on circulars requires that you remove the marker and start another k2tog, but you can't exactly do this on straight needles. Also, do you need to twist on straight needles?
Hi Chaela,
On the knit side, you should knit the last stitch through the back loop, and on the purl side you should purl the last stitch normally.
And I think you're also asking if you should twist the first stitch of each row the way you do here for the first stitch of each round, and the answer is no. If you are knitting flat, you don't need to twist any stitches!
Thanks so much for your questions and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
This is knitting up gorgeously, except along the seam. Should there be a visible seam? I just want to make sure I'm doing it right before I get any further along.
Would Cascade's Eco Cloud be suitable? Or would I need to go up a needle size?
Hi Shannon,
Yes, as with most stitch patterns worked in the round, you will have a "seam". This one is on a diagonal. I gave the first couple of stitches in each round a lttle extra tug to keep it neat!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hi Sarah,
Cascade's Eco Cloud would be lovely! It is a bit thinner than the Blue Sky Worsted, so you may need to go down a needle size, actually.
Try a couple of gauge swatches and see what you like. Then once you have the number of stitches you're getting per inch, multiply that number by the circumference of the cowl you would like and cast on that number. This stitch pattern works with any number, so you don't have to worry about that at all!
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you need any more help!
Whitney
Does this need to be blocked?
Hi Judy-
Yes, it should be blocked.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
What is the preferred cast on for this cowl? Is long tail the best way to go? What about cable cast on?
Hi Michele,
Like I almost always do, I used a long tail cast on for this cowl. I hardly ever use a cable cast on (except in the middle of knitting) because I find it a little less tidy than my long tail cast on.
My advice for this cowl is to use whatever cast on you like as long as it has some stretch, and if you’re not sure what to do, I say, go with the long tail!
Thanks so much for asking and please let us know if you have any questions!
Whitney
I’ve made this before with a comparable yarn to the one used in the pattern and I LOVE it. I just bought some lighter weight cotton yarn (4-5 stitches on 6-8 needle) that I want to make a lighter-weight version of this beautiful cowl. How many stitches would you suggest casting on if I were to use a size 10.5 needle… or should I go up/down in needle size? I’m having some trouble figuring out the conversion.
Thanks in advance for your help, and for your beautiful patterns!
Hi Shayne,
I always hate to say this, but I’m afraid you’ll have to make a gauge swatch in order to answer your questions! Making a swatch will, first, help you determine what size needle you’re going to like with the yarn you’re using; and second, let you know how many stitches you get per inch. Once you know that, you can multiply that number by the circumference you would like your cowl to be and cast on that number. For example, if your new yarn gives you a gauge of 6 herringbone stitches to the inch and you want a 54-inch cowl, you would cast on 6 x 54 = 324 stitches. (This stitch pattern can be worked over any number of stitches, so you don’t have to worry about that!)
Please let us know if you need more help along the way and thanks so much for your questions!
Whitney
I am very excited to try out this pattern – thanks for posting it! I noticed the yarn in the pattern is worsted weight but calls for size 17 needles – is that to make is loose? Thanks 🙂
Hi Jill-
You use large needles because of the stitch pattern. It’s a very thick and layered stitch so you need the extra room that the needles create.
Good luck with the pattern and thanks for writing in!
Molly
Thank you! If the yarn I’m going to use calls for a size 8 needle (it’s Lamb’s Pride worsted), do you think a 13 or 15 would work well?
I am really excited to make this, it looks gorgeous and perfect for winter! Quick question: I wanted to make this using Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool. Its weight is bulky and I have 478 yards of it. Would this still work? Should I keep the same needle size or go down one?
Hi Krissi,
I’ve never knit with Cascade Ecological Wool, but reading about it, it looks like it’s exactly the same weight as the Blue Sky Worsted. However, regardless of what yarn you use, it’s always a good idea to make a gauge swatch so you can make sure that you get the right gauge for the pattern (or in this case, you can just make sure you like the look and feel of the fabric with the needle you use, measure the number of stitches per inch, multiply that by the number of inches in circumference you would like you cowl and cast on that number). And finally, you should have just enough yarn with the one (mega!) skein of Cascade Ecological.
Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
I just finished mine and for some reason I’ve got it curling in towards the right side of the pattern. Not really sure what this is about. Maybe I stretched it too much? :/ it’s frustrating! It looks gorgeous until it’s hanging. It happened once I cast off and completed it. I didn’t however knit it in the round.
Hi Jen-
Hmmm… That’s odd! I’m not totally sure what you mean or how you knit your piece… Do you mean that it has a bias type lean? Or is it curling toward an edge? Which edge: the cast on or cast off edge or a selvage edge? Do your rows alternate between right-leaning and left-leaning stitches? Did you make a rectangle and then sew it into a cowl?
If I had some more info I could maybe diagnose the problem a little better, but without really knowing what’s going on, I would suggest blocking your finished piece to see if that resolves the curling issue!
Thanks so much for getting in touch!
Whitney
I am new to knitting but wanted to attempt this beautiful scarf. I just finished and it looks great except for the edges curling over. I have never had to block before, so I wanted to ask what is the best way to do it? I really appreciate the advice!
Hi Hayley,
To block your cowl soak it in warm water with some gentle soap for about 15 minutes. Squeeze out the excess water (don’t twist or wring the cowl, just squeeze!), then lay the cowl out flat on a dry towel. Make sure the edges are nice and flat and the cowl isn’t too stretched out when you lay it out. This will resolve the curling edges problem but maybe only temporarily. Some stitch patterns just want to curl!
Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy your cowl. Congratulations on having finished it!
Whitney
Also an experienced knitter gave me a tip that you can take your project to any dry cleaner and ask them to block it for you…costs a little obviously but looks perfect when you are done.
What’s the best way to join a new skein of yarn for this cowl?
Hi Jackie,
You should join a new ball of yarn the same way you normally do, which is to say you should insert the needle into the next stitch (well, in this case, through the next TWO stitches), then use the new yarn to wrap around the needle and make the next stitch (leaving a generous tail to weave in later). Don’t be alarmed if your knitting seems loose here. When you weave in the tails, everything will get nice and tidy!
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Could you use the magic loop method for this or should you really do this the old fashioned in it in the round method?
Hi Lindsay,
I’m not much of a magic loop-er myself, but it is my understanding that the magic loop method is used instead of double pointed needles. In this case, I don’t think the magic loop would be any easier than knitting in the round on a circular needle.
Magic loop-ers, correct me if I’m wrong!
Thanks for your question, Lindsay!
Whitney
Has anyone decreased the amount of stitches in this pattern? I’m not certain I want it to be this long. I was thinking about casting on 180 or so, but not 220. Does the pattern change if I decrease the amount of stitches?
Thanks!
Sara
Hi Sara-
You can certainly change the number of cast on stitches to make a shorter cowl. This stitch pattern works with any number of stitches so it’s an easy change!
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
i too want to make a shorter cowl…but do you really mean any number of s titches?? i was assuming even number of stitches?
Hi Linda!
Any number of stitches works on this one! Even though you are doing k2togs, you only take 1 stitch off each time, and you advance only 1 stitch forward with each stitch.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I can’t get this to join in the round properly without the first stitch being loose and leaving a big, unsightly loop. Any advice?
Hi Amanda,
Are you talking about the very first round, when you join your cast on? If so, the join often does look loose until you have knit a few rounds. Keep in mind also, that when you weave in the cast on tail, you’ll have the opportunity to tighten up any remaining looseness.
Please let us know if this doesn’t answer your question and we’ll try again!
Whitney
Hi. I’m making the cowl and it’s coming out beautiful. I messed up stitches on the purl side. And as I was trying to fix. Messed up some more! I can’t figure out how to fix. Any suggestions or video tutorials on this?
Hi Eileen,
We unfortunately don’t have a video showing how to unknit the Herringbone Stitch, but I did offer some advice to a reader with the same question. Here’s what I said:
Working with the wrong side facing you, insert the right needle purlwise into the two stitches below the one you’re taking out, and let that stitch fall off the left needle. Then push the right needle back to free it from the stitch that is remaining on it and insert it purlwise into the two stitches beneath the next stitch you’re removing.
That last step of pushing your right needle back happens quite naturally, so that as you get into the rhythm, it just seems like you’re inserting your needle into the two stitches below the one you’re unknitting.
I hope this gets you on the right path! Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
Thank you for the pattern! I absolutely adore the yarn recommended and the pattern. Do you by chance have a video on how to fix a mistake in each of the rows of the Herringbone stitch in the round? Or a link that would show how to go back a row?
Hi Jessica,
I’m sorry, we don’t have a video on how to fix mistakes in this stitch, but I did just answer a similar question yesterday! Check out my response to Eileen (right above your question).
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
I am a serious newbie but love this pattern…could this be done with 2 colors?
Hi DeeAnn,
I haven’t tried it, but sure! Try alternating colors every round or every two rounds. It may take a little experimenting to get the look you’re imagining, but you’ll surely come up with something interesting!
Please let us know if you need some direction or have any other questions… And thanks for this one!
Whitney
I want to make this but am looking for a comparable yarn that is cheaper, do you have any suggestions?
Hi Jana-
Sure! This pattern will work with 500 yards of any worsted weight yarn. Here are some good options:
3 Skeins of Maxima: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7529-Manos-Del-Uruguay-Maxima
3 Skeins of Cascade 220: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/649-Cascade-Yarns-Cascade-220
3 Skeins of Eco Cloud: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8065-Cascade-Yarns-Eco-Cloud
Please let us know if you need any more help!
Best-
Molly
Thank you for those recommendations. I was needing some guidance on cheaper alternatives as well.
Hi Barbara!
You just need a heavy worsted for this pattern. You can view our full range of worsted weight here if you like!
Thanks for your question!
Thomas
If herringbone stitch is knitted in the round, how am I supposed to do a gauge swatch of 15 stitches (presumably on straight needles?
Thanks for your advice!
Hi Lauren,
Great question! Sometimes people translate an in-the-round pattern to a flat knitting pattern in order to make a gauge swatch. However, often this means changing the frequency of knits versus purls. (For example, stockinette stitch in the round is all knit stitches, but flat, it’s half knits and half purls.) And since our tension is often different when we’re knitting from when we’re purling, the very best technique to making an in-the-round gauge swatch is to replicate what you will actually be doing when you make the thing you’re making! Our Swatching for Circular Gauge Tutorial explains how to do this. It’s not hard (much easier than rewriting the pattern) and it’s right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/swatching-for-circular-gauge/
Please let us know if you run into any more questions and thank you for this one!
Whitney
Can this be knit as a scarf instead of a cowl? Is it a matter of simply not joining in the round? Thanks!
Hi Melissa!
It is not a simple matter to change this into a pattern knitted flat. Luckily, we’ve already done that for you! Check out our Men’s Mini Herringbone Scarf here!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Wonderfull stitch, lovely cowl !
Hi,
I love your pattern! I’m trying to knit in the round but im finding that it is extremely tight, almost to the point where it is hard to move the stitches. Any advice? Also, when I got to the end of the first row, my sitch was opposite your picture so when I turn it, it doesn’t work.
Thanks for your help!
Ali
Hi Ali!
Take a look at our video tutorial for the Knit Two Together here. Double check that you are creating the stitch correctly. Sometimes if your stitch is “opposite” it might be because you are wrapping the yarn around in the opposite direction.
Hope this clarifies!
Thomas
I am trying to follow the beginning part of this pattern and I am confused as to how to slip a stitch in the middle of a k2tog. Any advice?? I’m in love with this pattern!
Hi Caitlin!
You aren’t actually slipping the stitch in the middle of the k2tog – you are actually just slipping 1 of the two stitches off the left needle. In a normal k2tog, the last thing you would do is take both of the stitches off the left needle; the directions are telling you to slip only the first one off instead.
Hope this clarifies!
Thomas
Thank you Thomas! So let me get this straight: I slip the first stitch back to the left needle. I k2tog to the right needle but leave the second stitch on the left needle? I end up with two weird stitches coming from one. Is that correct? Is there a video to watch this pattern being done?
Hi Caitlin!
Unfortunately, we simply don’t have a video showing how to do the herringbone stitch. We do have a video for a k2tog found here.
There is no “slipping back” needed. For each stitch, you simply begin like you are going to make a k2tog, but leave the furthest stitch on the left hand needle and drop the closest stitch off. Then you’ll start the next stitch the same way.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
how do i weave in the ends in a herringbone knit stitch? i’ve done it for garter stitch and rib stitch, but am not sure how to do it with the herringbone.
thanks for your help
Hi Cheryl!
There’s no “right” way to do this. Take a look at our tutorial for how to weave in ends here. My guess is that “Weaving in your ends on the horizontal” on the back side of the heringone would probably work best.
Thanks for your question!
Thomas
Hi, I just finished this project and it is beautiful. The only problem is that the bind off seems too tight for the scarf and there is absolutely no stretch to it at all! I’m going to rip it out and bind off again- did I just pull too tightly when I bound off? Is there any stretch to this edge?
Hi Wendy!
Tight bind-offs are a very common problem in any knit project. Lots of folks purposefully use a larger needle for the bind-off. I personally just make sure that I don’t pull much tension on the yarn at all.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi! So I want to attempt a version of this with your Worsted Twist yarn and size US13 needles, but I’m trying to calculate how many stitches I should cast on/how much yarn I’ll need to get a similar (or at least loopable!) size. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Hi Kay!
I can’t say for certain how many you would need to cast on, but luckily this version of the Herringbone stitch can be done on any number of stitches! I would look at the tutorial on knitting a circular swatch here, and use that method to figure out how many to cast on.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi, love the pattern! I am almost to the point of the bind-off, at about 12″, but I am worried that I used the wrong cast-on method: I just used the basic cast-on method, not the long-tail one (that I just read Whitney recommend to another knitter above.) My cast-on is really thin and wavy, and the edge curls in! I know part of it might go away once I block it, but I am wondering whether it is possible to unravel those first few rows and then re-knit it somehow…? Please say yes! The rest of it came out great, and I don’t want to redo the whole thing. Thanks for your help in advance.
Hi Gelene!
I really don’t think this pattern lends itself to picking up and re-knitting in the other direction. I do, however, think that some light blocking should definitely help your cast-on edge look tidier! Check out our tutorial here!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I just wanted to give you kudos on your patience and good advice to the many people who ask about what size needles to use, on what yarn, how many stitches to cast on, etc. Swatch, swatch, swatch seems to be the predominant answer and the staff/editors who are answering the questions (each written in a different way) are so kind and helpful. Good job!
I found Binding Off REALLY difficult but this tutorial helped me A LOT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6sRzlTc68w
Has anyone ever tried using this pattern to make a blanket? I would absolutely love to make a big luscious afghan….but I am having trouble figuring out how to do that!
Anyone have any suggestions? I would be so grateful!
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Samantha!
This particular pattern is worked in the round, so you wouldn’t be able to adjust it easily to an afghan. Check out our Men’s Mini Herringbone scarf, here. It is worked flat, and you should be able to adjust it to work for your blanket!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi there,
I am pretty new to knitting so I’m still trying to figure this all out… I am planning to use the Cascade eco cloud for this cowl but I notice that it is a bit lighter than the Blue Sky you’ve used. Does this mean that if I cast on the same amount of stitches I will end up with a shorter cowl?
I appreciate the time you guys to take to answer everyones questions 🙂
Hi Nadine-
The Eco Cloud is a pretty similar gauge, meaning that it should get the same amount of stitches per inch as the Blue Sky Worsted. As you note, it is lighter in weight but since it has a similar thickness you shouldn’t have to adjust the pattern at all.
Thanks very much for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I love this pattern but I think there is no way to fix a mistake besides unknotting/frogging and it’s difficult to unknit. I find that sometimes I drop both stitches instead of one. Any ideas on fixing errors?
Hello Sandy!
Unfortunately you’ve identified the issue with making mistakes in this stitch pattern! Usually picking up a mistake isn’t hard while knitting and purling normally, but this stitch pattern is constructed so that each stitch is dependent on the one before it. There really isn’t a full proof way of fixing any errors in a previous row. If you would like to send over a picture to [email protected], please do and we can see if we have any particular tips for your issue. If you are dropping both stitches instead of one and are able to diagnose that issue while in that same row, simply pick up the stitch that’s on the left back onto the left needle. Feel free to give us a call if you want to talk any further!
Happy Knitting!
I have the same problem.
I am half way this project and I noticed two mistakes. I have dropped both stitches two times!
I can’t go back now. Is there a way to fix this?
Thank you,
Hello Despoina,
Thank you for reaching out- oh man, we have all been there. The nature of this stitch means that it is very challenging to pick up a dropped stitch, particularly if it is very far down. I would say that, if you don’t mind a little inconsistency, you could try and tack it down. To do this you would cut a piece of yarn, loop it trough the dropped stitch and then weave in both sides as though you are weaving in your ends. Your other option is to rip back to your dropped stitches and get back on track.
I hope this gives you some options and good luck!
Warmly,
Marilla
I just finished this cowl, it was really to knit and the stitch is quite easy even for me as a beginner. My only concern is that both edges are curling towards each other. Will blocking help his… Is there a reason mine is curling?
Thanks!
Hello Nadine,
Congrats on finishing this lovely cowl! Since this stitch pattern is very dense, if its knit too tightly it will tend to curl up. Blocking will definitely help!
Thanks for your question!
Alyson
Hi,
Can I use the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for this cowl? If so, how should I adjust the needle size (this yarn calls for a US 8).
Thanks!
Denise
Hi Denise-
That yarn is a bit smaller than the original yarn called for here, so I might try going down one or two needle sizes. Perhaps try a US 15 to see how you like it?
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Thank you for posting this gorgeous pattern & tutorial!
I read earlier in the comments that the long tail cast on is the preferred method. After practicing this pattern with my knitted cast on that came out super wonky, I want to try the long tail. Because it requires you prepare a pretty specific tail length (with no turning back) it scares me. With the call for looser stitches in mind for this cast on, is there any way you can give me the length of the long tail that you use before you cast on? Thanks a bunch!!
Hey Rachael,
Thank you for your question! A good guide to figuring out how long of a tail you need to cast on is to wrap the yarn around your needle 10 times. That represents 10 stitches, so you can use that length to find the proper amount of tail you need. Since you will be casting on loosely in this stitch pattern I recommend you give yourself a little extra yarn.
Hope this helps and please don’t hesitate to write us back if you have anymore questions.
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Jake! TYTYTY! That’s straightforward enough! I will remember this forever. 🙂
Since I have to cast on a little more loosely for this pattern, do you think it’s safe to say 12 or 13 wraps around the needle equal 10 stitches?
Hi Rachael,
That would be a great estimate!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Great! Thanks Jake!!
This was a difficult pattern in that it does not allow for errors. The only way to correct errors is to unravel 2 rows. I only lacked 2 inches to finish but didn’t like how the seam looked so I unraveled and started from the beginning. The second time around was much easier. Very pretty stitch but seems a bit thick.
I’m thinking of doing this with two colors held together, I was wondering how hard it is to see the stitches while working in the pattern.
Hey Taylor,
Thank you for the comment! I love the idea of holding two colors together. Once you get going on it the herringbone stitch is actually fairly easy to see and identify what has happened. I do recommend using either two DK yarns so you can achieve the proper gauge and use large needles so that it is easier to see the stitches. It may be a little tricky in the beginning to get the hang of the stitch so you may want to do a little practice swatch in some worsted weight by itself just to understand the structure of the knit and identify how it should look.
I hope this helps and feel free to write back with anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi,
I love this stitch! Looking to just use what yarn I have on hand. I have 2 skeins of the Merino Script in the red (I know I will probably need more) would this work and could I use either 15 or 19 US needles?
Thanks!
Hi Annie,
Thank you for the comment! I think this would knit up beautifully in the Merino Script. I would try to do a gauge swatch on size US 15 needles. This may make the stitches a little too loose so you may want to try a US 13 if that’s the case. You will probably need a third skein of the Merino Script to achieve the projects dimensions or you will end up with a thinner cowl with the 2 skeins.
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Good morning,
my name is Gabriella and I am 44 years I live in Naples but work in Rome and I have a 9 year old daughter, you have a perfect technique and would love to improve my.
I have a great dexterity my works ranging from embroidery, crochet, knitting up to painting, all that is art I can well I want you to see my work, I try not work but just perfect my technique. I do know which email address I can send photos of my work?
thanks
Gabriella Liscio
Hi Gabriella!
We always love seeing our readers work! The best place to share is on Instagram or Facebook;
https://instagram.com/purlsoho/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purlsohocom/58035888021
You can also email us directly at [email protected]
Thanks for getting in touch!
Jake
I absolutley love this cowl and have just finished it. manos del uraguay maxima. After blocking it all the stitch definition has seemed to go away ( it also grew a lot) and it just looks awful and flat, if that makes any sense. My question is when you block it do you suggest soaking it, or just doing a steam block on it.
Hi Nicole,
Huh. Some yarns definitely do “grow” when you block them, but I have never experienced the flattening you describe with a merino yarn.
Here’s how I always block: I soak the finished piece in tepid water for about 15 minutes; squeeze out excess water (never wringing or twisting); and lay the piece flat on a dry towel. When I lay it out, I am very careful to not let the piece stretch (unless I want it to!).
You may want to try following these instructions (if you didn’t already) and see if you can bring your cowl back into shape. I hope it works! Please let us know how it goes and thank you for your question!
Whitney
Thank you for your help. I will say that after it dried it looked a lot better. I am hoping that the one that i just finished (made a 2nd one) will do the same. I think I just have a habit of picking yarn that likes to grow when blocked, and I need to be more careful to not let it stretch out.
I was wondering how many stitches (approx) you would want to cast on for a young child version (5 yrs old). Obviously larger would be better in the guess. Has anyone tried this?
<3
Thanks
Hello Cindy!
While I’m not an expert in children’s sizing, it looks like a standard child’s circle scarf is about 44″ in circumference. Since the pattern calls for 15 stitches per 4 inches, I would recommend casting on 166 stitches = (15 x 11) + 1 to make it even!
Happy knitting! -Alyson
So excited to get started! I imagine there may be others like me out there pining after this cowl, so I’ll share something: My mother taught me to knit without any knowledge of the distinction between continental & English methods. So here I am confused as anything wondering why your RH needle enters left-to-right front-to-back for the knit stitch! If anyone else out there is equally befuddled, fear not: I found a lovely tutorial from an English knitter on a new method working herringbone in the round that I think works especially well for novice knitters (including a GREAT tip to keep your edges from curling!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymTQU1CAXI8
Thanks for sharing Annie!
-Alyson
Love your pattern. May I have your permission to sell the cowl , not the pattern, on my newly formed etsy business?
Hello Cathy!
We’re so happy you love our pattern! However, all of our patterns are copyrighted with all rights reserved. Neither this pattern nor goods made from this pattern may be sold. Thank you for asking and best of luck with your shop! -Alyson
I want to knit this flat as a scarf.
What do I do on the wrong side ?
Hello Dianne!
We did something quite similar in our Men’s Mini Herringbone Scarf seen here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/lauras-loop-mens-mini-herringbone-scarf/
I’m sure there are many different methods of doing herringbone stitch–a simple Google search should yield some other options as well. What a lovely idea! Best of luck with your project! -Alyson
I am excited to try this pattern! Quick question – I bought Cascade superwash merino wool yarn, with 22-24 stitches = 4inches/10cm, which is a bit of a finer gauge then what is recommended for the pattern. The wool recommends US size 5-6 needles, but I bought size 17 as advised in this pattern. My test swatch is a bit loose with this size – I was thinking of going down to a US 13 or 15… any recommendations for (1) needle size with this yarn and (2) how many stitches to add, given the smaller gauge? I’m not sure what the finished dimensions are on the pattern you described so not sure how loose/tight it is once finished – I don’t want it to end up too small.
I’m a new knitter, so any help would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Hello Jackie!
Your mind is exactly in the right spot! Since your yarn is slightly thinner, it would be best to go down to at least a US 15. I would make another swatch and see if you liked the texture with that size. Once you figure out the gauge, then you can multiply by 58″ around.
That being said, you can definitely chose not to cast on more stitches since this cowl is written very over-sized. Many people in fact prefer to make this cowl a little smaller, like around 50″ around. Please don’t hesitate to write in again if you have any other issues!
Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi.
I love this cowl! I’m making cowls for three friends in different weight yarn. I am wondering how many yards of yarn this cowl will take in Aran weight yarn. Also, is it possible to make it in a Bulky weight yarn? What size needle would I use and how much yarn would I use? May I use a smaller needle for the Aran/Worsted weight cowl? If so, which size. Thanks so much for your help!
Kathie
Hello Kathie!
We used 500 yards of aran / heavy worsted weight for this pattern! With that gauge yarn you won’t have to alter the pattern at all! If you try and use Bulky weight yarn, keep in mind that the gauge will be off so you may not need to cast on quite as many stitches, but you will need to use a needle even larger that #17!
We’re so happy that you love this cowl! Happy knitting! -Alyson
I’m also making this in a bulky weight yarn (lion brand wool-ease thick & quick that a friend picked out) and will be using size 35 needles, if that helps.
I tried to sign up for your newsletter but was told my email address was already in use. I never receive your emails. I was in the store in July 2014 and I’m sure it was written some where. I’d love to get your emails! Can you help me?
Nancy
Hello Nancy!
Absolutely! Have you checked your spam folder? Sometimes our emails end up there. I will submit your email address to our customer service team and we will see what’s going on! Thanks for letting us know! -Alyson
I have 2 skeins of Quince&Co Osprey in my stash (gauge of 3.5-4 stitches per inch, US 9-11). I was wondering if I can use the yarn to make a cowl for a child. Is it possible to help me figure out how many stitches I would need to cast on? I love the look of this texture.
Hello, Rehana!
Thank you so much for writing in! You can totally use the Quince&Co Osprey for this project. We use a yarn with a similar weight (worsted) so you can follow the pattern as it is written using the US size 17 needles. I think most children’s circle scarves are about 44-inches in circumference so, I recommend casting on 166 stiches because the pattern calls for 15 stitches per 4 inches so, (15 x 11) + 1 makes it nice and even. If you have further questions, please let us know!
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
Can you please explain the math behind the number of stitches to cast on? What’s the 11 based on?
Hi Rehana,
Great question! The math for a smaller size is 15 stitches per 4 inches so, (15 x 11) + 1 for an even cast on of 166 stitches. The 11 is the 44 inches divided by 4. Equally, you could divide 15 by 4 to get 3.75 stitches per inch, multiple that by 44 to get 165 stitches plus 1 to get an even 166 stitches!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
I would like to make a scarf instead of a cowl. I realize circular knitting results in always working on the right side. Could you give the reverse side instructions or suggest a pattern I could use to achieve the pattern? Thank you.
Hello, Oleta!
Thank you for writing in! We’ve got just the pattern for you! The gauge of this pattern is not as bulky as the cowl, but take a look at our Herringbone scarf pattern available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/lauras-loop-mens-mini-herringbone-scarf/
Feel free to use chunkier yarn to size up the texture! Happy knitting!
Best,
Kumeko
In the uneven rows, just purl instead of knit together. Just make sure at the end of each row to slip the last stitch that in a round you would knit again so the number of stitches remains constant.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for writing in! We do have a great tutorial video for the scarf version of this lovely stitch pattern. It can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/mini-herringbone/
Best,
Cassy
is there a way to adapt this pattern for a scarf instead of a cowl? (ie. not in the round)
thanks!
Hello Meesh!
While the gauge of this pattern is not as bulky as the cowl, take a look at our Herringbone scarf pattern available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/lauras-loop-mens-mini-herringbone-scarf/
Feel free to use chunkier yarn to size up the texture! Enjoy! -Alyson
Hi there!
I’m in the same boat as Jackie who asked about using a thinner yarn and smaller size needles. I’m using Knit Picks Swish Worsted which has a gauge of 4.5-5 sts per 1 inch on size 6-9 needles. With this yarn and the herringbone stitch, I’m finding that using size 15 looks way better to me than size 17. For my gauge, I’m getting 6.5-7 sts per 1 inch in herringbone (if I’m measuring right). This means I would need to cast on btwn 377 and 406 stitches for my final project to be about 58 inches around. Does this sound accurate given my yarn choice? Does it matter whether I have an even number or odd number of stitches cast on? Should there be a multiple of a certain number?
Thanks,
Jensine
Hi, Jensine!
Thank you so much for writing in! It looks like you are on the right track! If you’re getting 6.5-7 sts per inch than I recommend casting on 377 stitches. This stitch pattern can be worked over any number of stitches so it doesn’t matter if you have an odd or even cast on number or a mutiple of anything. Again, thank you for writing in!
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
I am curious if you can share any tips for how to join new yarn with this stitch? I feel like my usual method would be visible and, because of the looser stitching, not very robust.
Thanks!
Hi, Jessica!
Thank you so much for writing in! I am not sure what your usual method is, but this is what we recommend:
To join a new ball of yarn stop knitting with the old ball when there are at least 8 inches of yarn remaining. To begin the new ball, put the right needle into the next stitch. Leaving an 8-inch tail of the new yarn, begin knitting with the new yarn as usual. Do not tie a knot.
This leaves two tails. It also leaves stitches that seem loose and a small hole in your knitting, but never fear! You will fix this at the end of the project when you weave in the ends. At that point, you will cross the tails so that you weave the right tail to the left of the hole and the left tail to the right.
It’s a good idea to add new balls of yarn a few stitches from the beginning or end of a row, rather than in the middle of the row. This way your woven ends will be near the edge of the knitting rather than conspicuously in the middle.
Hope that helps, and if you have further questions please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
Hello,
I would love to knit this and/or your Seafaring Scarf (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/08/20/seafaring-scarf/) in one of your house yarns in Heirloom White. I must say that Heirloom White is by far my most favourite white that I’ve ever come across in my 15 years of knitting. Is there a yarn type in this colourway that would work with either or both of these patterns? I’m especially intrigued by the flax down Heirloom White but would love to know all possible options.
Many thanks and all the best for the new year,
Gwen in British Columbia
Hi Gwendolen,
Thank you for your message! We are so pleased that these patterns have inspired you!
The Big Herringbone Cowl is knit in a worsted weight. If you would like to use one of our Purl Soho yarns, I would recommend Worsted Twist. It is slightly thinner than the Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes but would work up to a similar fabric.
You could also use Flax Down but will need to make some adjustments. I would knit a gauge swatch on US 15s. Once you have the gauge, multiple the stitches per inches 58″ around. This stitch pattern can be worked over any number of stitches so it doesn’t matter if you have an odd or even cast on number or a mutiple of anything. That being said, you can definitely chose not to cast on more stitches since this cowl is written very over-sized. Many people in fact prefer to make this cowl a little smaller, like around 50″ around.
For the Seafaring Scarf, the other yarn that we have that would be a comparable gauge and comes in Heirloom White is our very own Super Soft Merino!
Please don’t hesitate to write in again if you have any other issues!
-Cassy
I’ve made this cowl in several weights, and no matter what it’s always been an absolutely beautiful project! My only regret is that it’s hard on my hands so I can only knit a few rows a week.
Advice to y’all reading the comments for tips: swatch, swatch, swatch! The first time I made this cowl I used aran weight yarn with size 13 needles and it was very dense, which I wanted, but halfway through I was cursing myself. I finished it (eventually, with a lot of ibuprofen), but the bigger your needles the better your drape will be and the less stress you’ll put on your hands.
Anyways, thanks for such a lovely free pattern!
I have finished this scarf and absolutely love it! It was my very first knitting project and I made the mistake of not blocking. With that said it curls a lot around the edges so you can barely see the herringbone pattern! I am looking for a good crochet stitch to add around the border to keep it from rolling, any suggestions?
Hi Ashlynn,
Thank you for writing in! Blocking does help the edges to later significantly flatter. If you would still like to add an edging, you could single crochet around the edges. Just note that the crochet edging will not stretch or give in the same way the the knit fabric of the cowl will and may result in stiff edge. You could also try an attached i-cord edging. We have a tutorial that you could try here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/01/23/attached-i-cord-tutorial/
Please let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi there,
I began the cowl exactly the way it was said, but it begins to roll up now i have been knitting a while.
Will this go away when i wash it? The first row also seems to be very loose. Could all of this be a matter of the yarn (100% silk, suggesting 3-4 needle for 25 stitches and 10 cm normal use, but i took 6,5 )?
I think it is a great pattern and i can’t wait to finish ist : )
greetings from Ellsarah, Berlin/Germany
Hi Ellsarah,
Thanks for writing in! This fabric does have a tendency to roll while knitting. It does lay significantly flatter after blocking and I would recommend being sure to do so when you are done!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
I somehow have around 216 stitches now and not the 222 (I believe) I caste on. How do I add stitches to this cowl. I tried a yarn over but it left a hole in the pattern. Thanks for your help!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! I am afraid that there is no easy way to add stitches to this pattern once you have completed casting-on. The good news is that so long as you have an even number of stitches (which you do!) you can knit this pattern as written!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Love, love, love this pattern. Any chance you have it in a hat pattern? You do an awesome job of responding. Enjoyed reading all the questions and responses above. Thanks for your creativity…
Hi Bev,
Thank you s much for your kind words! We do not have a hat in the very same stitch but we do have a Herringbone Hat that would give you a similar look. I hope that this works for you!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
After reading all the questions above and the comments on Ravelry regarding this cowl, I have some questions. I am concerned about the curling that has been described in some questions and comments. One link contained the suggestion of casting on with one size smaller needle (i.e. size 15 when you are going to use a size 17 needle for the project.) Do you think this would work? Or would a garter stitch border work better. Would that take away from the pattern do you think? I’m going to be using Louisa Harding’s Amitola Grande, an Aran weight yarn. The recipient of the cowl requested this yarn.
Also, in your suggestions of how to unknit the herringbone pattern, you say to put your needle into the two stitches below the stitch to be removed; when you say below, I am assuming that you mean in the row below, not beside the stitch to be removed. Just clarifying.
I love this pattern and will be making one for me after I finish the first as a gift. Any suggestions you might offer would be greatly appreciated.
Kathie
Hi Kathie,
Thanks for the kind words! You can try to knit a tighter cast on and switch to larger needles for the herringbone stitch. This will definitely take care of some of the curling. I do not recommend doing a garter stitch border because the herringbone pulls in the fabric and garter stitch naturally flares out. This might look odd. I think that if you wet block the final scarf and pin it down, it will resolve most of the curling. The sample in the shop does not curl anymore. The original yarn used for this project is an aran/bulky weight, so you should follow the pattern for suggested needles.
Regarding how to fix mistakes, “below” refers to the row below. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
I’m having trouble with my seam lining up properly. It seems to be veering off to the right the longer I work it. This is my third try; the first two times I thought my stitch marker might be slipping underneath the other stitches. Is there something I’m doing wrong?
From my understanding, on rows 1 and 2 the last stitch I take the marker out. K2tog or k2tog tbl, only slipping the last stitch off the needle. Then replace the marker to the right of the first stitch on the right needle?
Am I supposed to place the marker on the right needle (in front of the first stitch)?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Hi Katie,
Thanks for writing us. The seam will veer on this project because you are constantly moving the beginning of round marker. If your marker is too thick, it could be affecting the way the stitch looks. As long as the herringbone pattern is coming out correctly, there should be nothing to worry about!
Best,
Adam
I noticed this on mine too, the seam is almost diagonal and very visible. Is there anyway to prevent this or is this the nature of the type of stitch?
Hi Felicia,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct, there isn’t really anything to prevent this from happening and it is natural for this type of stitches!
Warmly,
Gianna
I’m new knitter and interested in the herringbone cowl.
Is it only for thicker yarns? But not for fingering yarn?
I am wondering how it gonna be if I knit this pattern with fingering yarn.
Seems nobody asked About this, I am asking now.
Hello Yukiko,
Thanks for writing in! You can definitely use fingering weight yarn for this project. The only thing you’ll want to test out is which needle you want to use. I’d do a swatch in the round to see which needle works best for you. Have fun experimenting!
-Adam
Hello, I would like to knit this using Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist. How many skeins do you think I would need and what size needle would you recommend? Thanks.
Hi there!
Thanks for writing us! I would try this stitch on a US 15 for the Worsted Twist. See if you like the stitch definition and then go up or down in needle size depending on what you think! It’s hard to say, but I would recommend using at least 4 skeins for this project. It’s a big cowl! Good luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
I’m thinking of knitting this in a shorter length and using two strands of the tosh merino to make it bulky. Do you think this would work? Any suggestions if I do this? Thanks!
Hi April,
Sounds like a great idea! I think that you should swatch this in the round first and see if you like your stitch definition. Two strands of Tosh Merino will be quite bulky and dense, but very warm! A large size needle, like a US 19 or even a 36 might do. You are essentially doubling the thickness of the yarn, so you’ll have to up the needle size in order to get a comfortable fabric. I hope this helped a bit! Let us know how it goes!
-Adam
Hi, thanks for the nice pattern. I am going to do it but i need to decrease the number of cast on stiches, so plz you provide me with the number of stiches if it is a multiple of 2 or 4 or 5?
Hi Semma,
Great question! Any number of stitches work for this cowl in the round!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
could you suggest other yarns that i could use as a substitute, and get the same effect?. I was thinking of something Merino? Thank you.
Hi Kay,
Thanks for writing in! You can use any worsted weight yarn to complete this lovely cowl. Just make sure that you have around 500 yards to complete the cowl to the same dimensions. I think that Worsted Twist or Tosh Merino would make great cowls as both yarns have great stitch definition and a wide array of colors to choose from.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I love the look of this Herringbone stitch! I am thinking of doing this cowl in a cotton/linen mix with a similar gauge, more for chilly summer nights than for winter wear. What do you think, would this work just the same?
Thank you!
Hi Sabine,
Great question! I think that it will work well! We have seen this cowl in so many different yarns and each one has been lovely! I would say go ahead with the cotton/linen mix and enjoy the lighter version of this cowl!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
when twisting , is there a certain direction you should twist for round 1 and 2?
Hi Kay,
Thanks for writing in! There are specific directions to twist the stitches at the end of each row. We have included images above to illustrate exactly how to turn the stitches. At the end of Round 1, you will be turning the stitch counter clockwise and at the end of Round 2, you will be turning the stitch clockwise. I find that the images above are most helpful for seeing how this works!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I’m using size 13 needles, how many stitches would I have to cast on? Please and thank you!
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for writing us! This all depends on the weight of yarn you are using. I think this would work with a heavy fingering weight to DK yarn. Also, the stitch is very dense, so maybe a swatch in the round would be helpful if you are changing the pattern. Let me know a bit more info and I’d be glad to assist you!
-Adam
Hi, thanks for this gorgeous pattern!
I am wondering how many balls of 100g worsted wool this pattern would use? Your skeins don’t have their weight listed, so I am wondering how much wool to buy for this!
Thanks!
Hi Emma,
Thanks for writing us! If you go under the “shop” section of our website, you’ll see all the yarn weights under the product details of each item. This scarf took approximately 500g. of Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyed. Thanks again!
-Adam
Hello!
I love this pattern! I’m super excited to try it. I was wondering if anyone had tried making this a little smaller around? I love the thickness of it but it’s a little too large for me to try and fit it under my coat. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Taylor
Hi Taylor,
Great question! We have seen so many different versions of this lovely cowl including versions that are smaller around. This stitch pattern can be worked over any number of stitches so it doesn’t matter if you have an odd or even cast on number or a mutiple of anything. You can select a length and cast on the appropriate number of stitches for the gauge that you are getting!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I have started and restarted this pattern several times, but my work is either twisted around itself, or the beginning rows aren’t lined up for me. How can I keep the work from twisting around itself?
Hi Claire,
Thanks for writing in! I understand where you are coming from. Knitting the first row after casting on so many stitches can be a challenge. I am afraid that there is no easy answer for this issue. What I like to do, is lay out the circular needle with the cast on stitches on a table and make sure that they are all in the correct orientation. Then I pick it up gently and connect it in the round, knitting my first stitch to join and then be sure that no stitches got twisted in the join. For the first few rows, you should check to be sure that the stitches are correct. Once there are a few rows, there is enough weight to keep everything in the correct orientation.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Love this cowl!! Planning on making it with bulky weight yarn. Would I be ok using a size 15 needle??? Thank You!!
Hi Anna,
Thanks for writing in! This cowl works well in so many different weights of yarn and could be lovely in bulky. For the worsted weight version, we used a US 17 as this stitch is very dense. Using a bulky yarn, you will need to use an even larger needle to get a fabric that feels as drapey and even as the fabric in our finished sample. I would suggest going up to a US 19. Be sure to knit a gauge swatch to make sure that you like the fabric. You may need to go up even further if the fabric feels too tight!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I would like to make a matching ear warmer in the same yarn. I am still fairly new to knitting but watched a tutorial on this cowl and feel if I can do socks I can do this too! I have a 22 in head circumference. I was going to use US 17 16in circular needles. I see 15 stitches equals 4 inches. Do you think a cast on of 75 will do? I look forward to your response because I am anxious/excited to get started and order the yarn:) Oh yea, how much yarn should I allow?
Hi Shawna,
This sounds exciting! The US 17 16″ circular should work just fine. However, you’ll want to cast on an even amount, so I suggest starting with 76 stitches. Finally, two skeins of yarn should suffice for a headband of any size. Best of luck and let us know how it goes!
-Adam
DO YOU HAVE VIDEO ?
Hi Mei,
Thanks for writing in! At present, we do not have a video for this project but we will certainly keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
I’ve always wanted to make this cowl! I was just gifted quite a bit of Blue Sky Alpaca Metalico (about 1000 yards) and thought it would be perfect but I need a little advice on using Sport weight for this pattern, or should double it? Any help would be wonderful!
Thanks!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for writing us! I would swatch in the round using a single strand and then a double strand to see which you prefer. Swatching will also allow you to play with needle size so you can get the best stitch definition. From there on out you’ll want to get your stitches per inch and multiply that number by how long you want your cowl. This will be a rough number for your cast on. Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
Thanks so much Adam!
Hello I was just wondering of it was possible to complete this pattern with a medium size yarn and a size 6 needle. If so can someone please convert the pattern for me? Or at least give me some tips on how to convert the pattern. Thanks
Hi Alex,
Thanks for writing us. A medium yarn (worsted) cannot be knit on a US 6 needle in this stitch because the stitch is rather dense. If you want to knit this stitch on a US 6, you’ll need a fine yarn like a fingering weight. Otherwise, a worsted yarn as the pattern calls for take a rather large needle. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Adam
I am about to try this on a fingering weight yarn, do you have any suggestions as to how many stitches I should cast on? I’ve been trying to do calculations but then I just end up becoming confused. THANK you!
I figured it out! Sorry, I read more comments and figured out what my approach should be. Have a great day!
So I made this before and had trouble with the cowl curling so you couldn’t see the herring bone texture, I know some of this is the structure of the fabric but are there any suggestions to fix this? Also is there a preferred cast on for this pattern?
Hi Taylor,
Thanks for writing in! This stitch pattern can curl from time to time. To curtail this, you could pick up stitches and knit one round, then bind off around the top and the bottom. This will give a little more structure to the edges. You could also add an attached i-cord. This would create a nice look on the edges and help to keep them a bit more straight.
For this, and most of our patterns, we love the long tail cast on. We think that it creates a tidy cast on edge!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello, I just wanted to say that I am infatuated with this pattern, but, how about in a blanket instead of a cowl or scarf. I see a lot of request to go smaller, however, i would like to go larger. Any ideas?
Thanks
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! We will certainly keep you request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
This cowl is gorgeous and I can’t wait to try this pattern 🙂
I am wondering which cast on method you recommend using (for this cowl and also for the Crosshatch Cowl…I’m planning to make both!)?
I typically like to try and match the look of the cast on with the look of the bind off as much as possible …i.e. when using a traditional bind off I prefer to use the chained cast on so that the 2 edges “match”.
Any suggestions for this project would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
Hello Sabrina!
Thank you for writing in! Unless we specify otherwise, we usually use Long Tail cast on! Just make sure that you leave an extra long tail for the Crosshatch Cowl cast on. Please let us know if you have further questions.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I bought 3 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Stripes 100% acrylic, 4oz., 194 yds. Do I still use 17 inch circular needles? Also, I don’t think I need to make it as big as it is. I am a beginner and am having trouble discerning weights of yarns for some projects. What do you suggest?
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for contacting us! I suggest following the pattern as is — you have enough yarn and the yarn weight is roughly the same. You’ll still use the US 17 needles. As for making the cowl smaller you’ll just need to cast on a lesser amount. Make sure the cast on is an even amount and you should be good to go!
Happy knitting!
Adam
Hi! Do you happen to have any tips on unknitting this pattern? The woven look of the herringbone stitch makes it hard for me to pick them back up. Any tips would help! Thanks!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing in. Unknitting this pattern is very difficult and in my experience it often involves ripping the entire project back to the beginning of round marker to restring. Let me know if you have any specific questions about restringing the stitches. Thanks!
-Adam
Hi Judy, I made a mistake in this pattern (k2tog’d when I should have tbl’d) and had to go back a few inches. It was very difficult at first! I didn’t try to frog the stitches and pick them back up; instead I basically un-knit in the pattern. Do a couple stitches going forward, and pay attention to the loop that you push off the left needle. To go back, you’ll have to pick up this loop before pulling off the most recent stitch from the right needle.
I hope this helps! Figuring it out felt very calming once I got it, should go as easily as knitting the pattern forwards.
Best,
Georgia
Hello,
Can West havé thaïs pattern on french.
Thanks a lot
Claire
Hi Claire,
Thanks for writing in and for your request! At present, this pattern is only available in English.
Thank you again for your request!
Cassy
Hello, I’m having difficulty figuring out how to knit the swatch for this. (Beginner knitter!) I realize I can’t follow the pattern exactly because for the swatch, it won’t be in the round. Do you have a tutorial for the way you stitch the herringbone that would correlate how you stitch the cowl? Thank you!
Hi Kelli,
Actually we have a tutorial for swatchhing on circular needles. It is located in our knitting tutorials under working in the round. Below is the link
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/swatching-for-circular-gauge/.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
I wanted to try this patter out on inexpensive yarn first so I bought a Medium (4) weight yarn that called for a size US 8 (5mm) needles. Would you recommend using these or the size 17 recommended in the pattern?
Also this yarn is 5oz 142 gms 100% acrylic.
Hello Kelly,
Thanks for your question! Yes, you will need to use a size 17 needle due to the density of this particular stitch. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
Warmly,
Marilla
Hello: am about to cast on but would like to find out if this can be knitted in 2 colors to give the appearance of random stripes. Can I simply knot a second color in at the end of a round? And then revert to the first color? Or does it really work best in one color only? Thanks. Paula
Hello Paula,
Thanks for reaching out! I haven’t tried to knit this stitch with two colors. I imagine that the “jog” (i.e. the disruption in stripes that happens when they are knit in the round) would form a diagonal line and would be pretty tricky to rectify. However, it could be fun to experiment! I would test it out with a swatch and see what happens. Let us know how it goes!
Warmly,
Marilla
I’m finally about to finish my cowl, and I’m concerned about the bind-off. I believe I used a long-tail cast-on to start with (it was so long ago, who knows really), and I’m really happy with the edge – it’s neat and moderately stretchy. The bind-off described in the pattern seems to be a standard loop-over bind-off, with no notes like “bind off loosely” or what have you. I’m concerned this won’t match the cast-on edge. Do you have any particular recommendations for the bind-off? Will the fabric roll to cover it anyway?
Thank you!! It’s beautiful work, I can’t wait to wear it.
Hi Georgia,
Thanks for writing in! You are spot on! This is basically a regular pass over bind off in pattern. We found that it makes the neatest bind off for this scarf. Depending on your tension when binding off, the edge may roll over a bit. If your bind off feels too tight, I would suggest going up a needle size for the bind off!
I hope that this helps and best of luck!
Cassy
This looks great. Could it be made as a scarf? How?
Hi Clare,
Thanks for writing in! While we do not have this exact pattern written as a scarf, we do have a lovely scarf that has a very similar look and feel. It can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/lauras-loop-mens-mini-herringbone-scarf/
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello,
I love this pattern and have a quesion: I would like to make a scarf out of it(knit horizontally so it would look like your cowl). I only have 320 meters of an aran weight yarn tough, and my gauge is 20 st/4 inches in stitch pattern. I don’t mind a narrower, a bit shorter scarf, but do you think it would be too short and narrow with only 320 meters?
Thanks,
Lara
Hi Lara,
Thanks for writing in! We do have a scarf that uses a herringbone stitch. We also just launched a video for the stitch that makes things quite a bit easier to understand. Check out our Mini Herringbone Scarf!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Is there any yarn you would not recommend for this? I have “a medium thick blow yarn” of 70% baby alpaca, 23% polyamide and 7% wool (Drops Air mix). It’s pretty soft and fluffy. Do you think it will work with this stitch? Or should I do this with a heavier weight yarn that might take to the dense stitch better? Thanks!
Hi Karen,
Thank for writing in! I think that this pattern can work well with most yarns. Heavier yarns will add to the drape but I would suggest giving it a try by knitting a swatch. If you like the look and feel, I’d go for it!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi, I really love this pattern! Since I live in Switzerland, I’m not used to US measurements like Inches etc. Could you please indicate also in European measurements/sizes? I’d appreciate this a lot, thank you!
Hi Cornelia,
Thanks for writing in! We totally hear you regarding including metric sizes and measurements. This is something that is currently under consideration so we really appreciate your input!
When I need to translate a pattern from metric to US imperial, I like to use Google’s conversion tools. I type “convert cm to inches” into Google and a purpose built calculator will appear. You can certainly do the same thing in reverse to convert all of the measurements you seek into metric!
This cowl is 14 inches wide and 58 inches around or approximately 35.5 cm wide and 147 cm around.
Best,
Cassy
Hallo Cornelia,
ich bin aus Deutschland… und würde hier auch gern die Übersetzung in deutsch haben…
Hast du diese evtl. schon übersetzt und könntest mir das auch zur Verfügung stellen?
Viele Grüße
Katrin
Hi Katrin,
Thanks for writing in! At present, our patterns are only available in English. Thank you for your request! We will keep it in mind!
Best,
Cassy
Hallo Katrin,
ganz kurz zusammengefasst:
– 220 Maschen anschlagen, zur Runde zusammenfassen
– ungerade Runden: immer zwei Maschen zusammenstricken, jedoch nur die erste von der linken Nadel gleiten lassen und die zweite nochmals mit der naechsten Masche zusammenstricken. Auf diese Weise wird jede Masche zweimal gestrickt, und die Maschenzahl bleibt trotz des Zusammenstrickens konstant.
2. Reihe: Die letze Masche der ersten Reihe, die jetzt nochmal gestrickt wird, umdrehen. Dann wieder jeweils zwei Maschen zusammenstricken, diesmal jedoch rechts verschraenkt (heisst von oben und hinten einstechen statt von unten und vorne).
Das ganze wiederholen, bis die gewuenschte Breite erreicht ist.
Ein inch sind 2,54 cm, das Ding wird also etwa 1,50 m lang und 35 cm breit.
Hi. Thanks for the patter. The stich is beautiful and it was more easy that a I thought. But, how do I prevent the ends from curling?
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for writing in! Blocking does help the edges to later significantly flatter. If you would still like to add an edging, you could single crochet around the edges. Just note that the crochet edging will not stretch or give in the same way the the knit fabric of the cowl will and may result in stiff edge. You could also try an attached i-cord edging. We have a tutorial that you could try here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/01/23/attached-i-cord-tutorial/
Please let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Thank you so much! I’m going to try a the single crochet idea because I have 4 cats and blocking is not an option for me. ;}
I’ve started the pattern and it’s coming out great. I’ve noticed that when I take a break, I tend to forget if I am working on the right or wrong side. Is there an easy way to tell which row I’m on (I.e. Should I be working into the front or back of the stitches on that row)?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for writing in! This can be a challenge! When you are knitting the row with k2tog, your stitches will lean from the bottom right to the top left and when you are knitting the k2tog tbl, your stitches will lean from the bottom left to the top right.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m a fairly good knitter but am not able to adjust on my own! I have a 50% soy silk and 50% wool – 4.5 sets 6 rows = 1” rec. US 7. So, if I only want it to wrap twice, how many stitches should I cast on and can I use a #15 needle to make it a bit tighter weave? Thank you so much for your help.
Also, could I do a knitted cast on or is long tail best?!
Hi Jan,
Thank you for writing in! For a single wrap cowl, you will want a cowl with a circumference of between 18 and 20 inches. To determine your cast on, I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch to determine how many stitches you are getting per inch. Here you will want to knit a gauge swatch in the round (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/swatching-for-circular-gauge/). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you will multiply that by between 18 and 20 inches depending on your preference and use that number as your cast on number!
I would also suggest using the long tail cast on here as a knitted cast on can be a bit inelastic and you will want a stretchier cast on for this lovely cowl!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi, I’m still quite new to knitting so I’m sorry if my questions seem obvious. I’m wanting to do this pattern but the yarn that I have for it says Tosca Light on the lable and is suggeting a needle size of US6. Will this still work? do I need to adjust anything in the patteren or use a different size needle?? thanks!
Hello Kira,
Thank you for reaching out! The reason we use such a large needle is because the stitch is very dense. I would guess that Tosca Light should work out with the suggested needle size. The good news is that with a cowl or scarf gauge is less crucial, though you could always knit up a little gauge swatch before jumping in to see if you are getting 15 stitches per 4 inches in herringbone stitch.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello!
Thank you for this pattern, I’ve made two of this so far – the first one was a bit short because I’m a tight knitter so for the second one I decided to go several stitches more but then it ended up too long! I would like to unravel the whole project to start again, but I’m finding that the herringbone stitch doesn’t unravel as simply and quickly as a normal garter or stockinette stitch. Do you have any recommendations/tutorials on how to quickly unravel this particular stitch?
Thanks!
Hi Pia,
Thanks for writing in! I just did a test swatch and the herringbone stitch shouldn’t be too much more difficult to unravel than a plainer stitch. Is it possible that you used a textured or fuzzy yarn that is sticking to itself? This is a common problem, especially when using yarn that has a halo such as mohair or certain alpacas. If that is the case, it may help to put your project in the freezer for an hour or so before unraveling – when the fibers are cold they separate much more easily!
Best of luck and happy unraveling – and re-knitting!
Julianna
I loooove the look of this herringbone stitch. I am also in love with chenille yarn. Do you think that chenille yarn would show the definition in the herringbone pattern?
Thank you
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for the kind words! Chenille yarn does tend to blend together when knitted and can disguise intricate stitch patterns, but how much the stitch will show up depends on how thick or fluffy the chenille is. The best way to find out would be to knit a swatch with your chenille yarn to see if you are happy with the stitch and yarn combination!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Would love to do this for a male friend but needs to be short to just cover the neck area. How is the stitch count for that to happen. Thanks
Hello Enid,
Thank you for reaching out! For this scarf we got a gauge of 15 stitches per 4 inches in herringbone stitch. I would reccomend checking out our Men’s Mini Herringbone Scarf. I think it might be just what you are looking for!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Can this pattern be done on any even number of stitches? I’m using just a tiny bit smaller gauge and want to cast on a higher number of stitches to account for the change in size.
Thanks
Hello Alex,
Thank you for reaching out! Any number of stitches work for this cowl in the round, so you can cast on an even or an odd number.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Can this pattern be done with a cast on of any even number? I’m looking to use a bit smaller gauge, and increase the number of cast on stitches, but want to make sure odds or evens don’t matter.
Thanks
Hello Alex,
Thank you for reaching out! You are correct, you can cast on any number of stitches for this pattern in the round.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Re Big Herringbone Cowl, could I use your cashmere/merino mix (bulky, I think). If not, what yarn would you suggest?
The worsted mentioned in the pattern appears to be no longer sold.
Thank you.
Hello Carole,
Thank you for reaching out! The yarn we used if Blue Sky’s Worsted which works great for this pattern as it has fantastic stitch definition. Our Cashmere Merino Bloom is a DK weight yarn so it would be thinner than what we used for this pattern.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Would a bulky yarn work for a shorter cowl (wraps around the neck once) or scarf? Could I use gentle giant or is that too bulky?
Hi Dana,
Thanks for reaching out! While it is possible to modify this pattern for super bulky Gentle Giant, due to the fact that the Herringbone Stitch requires a much larger needle than normally recommended for the yarn, I think you would have to go up to a US 50 needle. It would certainly be quite a statement piece! Even going up to a bulky yarn, such as Super Soft Merino, I would suggest trying a US 35 needle. Whichever yarn you choose, I would suggest working a gauge swatch in pattern to determine if the needle size is suitable and to measure your stitches per inch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I wonder if I can make this using understory .. I have two balls left over from a previous project.. Would I go down to a size 15 needle? Thanks
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! I think this stitch would be just lovely in Understory! Although it is a touch thinner than the Blue Sky Worsted we originally used for this pattern, I don’t think it is enough to change the gauge significantly. It would probably be a good idea to knit a gauge swatch to make sure, but I think Understory will still look great on US 17 needles in the herringbone stitch.
Happy knitting, and please let us know how the cowl turns out!
Julianna
I love the herringbone stitch and have been wanting to make a fringed blanket with it for so long! Do you think one could use this pattern and just increase the number of stitches cast on and the width? And if so, would this yarn and needle size make a blanket too thin? Thank you!
Hello Danette,
Thank you for reaching out! This is a great idea, we even have a tutorial for knitting this stitch flat. I would just knit up a gauge swatch with your yarn and once you decide how big you would like your blanket to be you can use your swatch to figure out your cast on number.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I saw someone did this in Malabrigo Rios yarn . How would I adapt ?
Thankyou !
Hello Beth,
Thank you for reaching out. I believe Malabrigo Rios is a worsted yarn. As long as you are on gauge, you shouldn’t need to adapt at all!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I vought some Mulberry Merino (3 skeins), do you think they are enough for a cowl? I love how this looks!
Hello Irene,
Thank you for reaching out! Since your yarn is a sport/dk rather than a worsted weight it will be best to go down to at least a US 13. I would make a swatch to see if you liked the texture with that size. Once you figure out the gauge, then you can multiply by 58″ around.
That being said, you can definitely chose not to cast on more stitches since this cowl is written very over-sized. Many people in fact prefer to make this cowl a little smaller, like around 50″ around. Please don’t hesitate to write in again if you have any other issues!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would like to make this for someone who is allergic to wool (can’t wear any). What yarn would you recommend and what modifications would I need to make to the pattern to achieve the same results.
Thanks
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
Great question! Blue Sky Worsted Cotton would be a perfect wool-free substitute, and you would not have to make any changes to the pattern since it is the same weight as Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes. Also, since it has more yardage, you will only need four skeins.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I like this sideways cowl compared to the mini-herringbone scarf but would like to use Linen Quill. Can you suggest a cast on number and needle size for a 50″ cowl, please?
Hi and thanks for writing in! I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch in the herringbone pattern using Linen Quill on a US 9 or 10 needle. Once you are happy with the density and feel of the knitted fabric, you can measure your gauge swatch and multiply your stitches per inch by 50 and round to the nearest even number to figure out your cast on number.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I am swatching for this right now?. I do have a question about the guage. The 15 stitches to 4 inches, is that blocked or un-blocked? Thank you for such a wonderful pattern.
Hello Nikki,
Thank you for your question! I would reccomend blocking your gauge, because you want your gauge to be as close to the end result as possible.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I cast on 220 stitches, as the pattern calls for. After knitting 4 rows, I counted and found my stitch count is now 219. I can’t seem to spot an error. Does the stitch count always remain 220, or does it vary? Thanks!
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for writing! Your stitch count should remain consistent throughout.
I hope this helps and let us know if any more questions come up!
-Marilla
I’m a fairly new knitter, do you have a video that demonstrates this knitting technique or have one you could recommend? There seem to be a few ways of doing the herringbone stitch but I seem to learn best by watching videos. So far I’ve only knitted and purled but I’m hoping this isn’t too ambitious for my next project! Thanks! 🙂
Hello Meagan,
Thank you for reaching out! We don’t have a video Tutorial for this stitch. I would reccomend practicing the stitch on a swatch before jumping into your project so that you feel confident going in.
Let us know how it goes and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’ve made a start on the project now and I have another question, I’ve finished row 1 and turned the stitch at the end, now I’m part way through row 2, what do I do at the end of row 2, do I just keep doing the same stitch til I reach the stitch marker then begin row 1 again, or do I turn the stitch again? Thanks, I’m really enjoying the pattern so far!
Hello Meagan,
Thank you for reaching out! For round 2 you will *K2tog through the back loop (K2tog tbl), slipping the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * to the LAST stitch. Remove the stitch marker and k2tog tbl, slipping the first stitch off the left needle. Place the stitch marker to the right of the first stitch on the right needle.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
–
Hi! I am attempting this stitch, but worry I am making a mistake at the beginning or end of each round. Is this a seamless project? Will I be able to see where the rounds begin and end? It’s almost like the herringbone is spiraling—the end of a right facing stitch becomes the beginning of a left facing stitch. Does that sound right?
I love the pattern! And am making a super short cowl, more like a gaiter. Maybe it’s more prominent on the smaller scale but I made me worry I am doing something wrong! Thank you!!
Hi Madison,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely pattern is not truly seamless. The end of each round will be visible as the stitches switch direction. When worn, you will not really see this beginning/end of round but it will be present!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I love this pattern and want to try it with bulkier yarn. What would you recommend for us 36 needles? Also should I stay with the 32 inch cord or size up as well?
Hi Kara,
Thanks so much for the kind words! On a US 36 needle, I would suggest using a bulky yarn like Super Soft Merino. You should still be able to fit all the stitches on a 32 inch long needle, but it would probably be a good idea to knit a gauge swatch to see if you need to adjust the cast on so you don’t end up with a cowl that is too long!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I am just learning this stitch, and I am an intermediate- beginner knitter. I’m confused about turning the stitch.
Is that for every stitch in the second row?
The stitch bible I have says to p2tog, dropping off the first stitch for row 2. I understand there are different ways to make this, but again, do we twist every stitch?
I also see no purling here.
Thank you,
Jana
Hi Jana,
Thanks for reaching out! You only have to turn the first stitch of each row – the rest of the stitches can be worked without turning. It sounds like your stitch bible has a version of this stitch which is worked flat, rather than in the round like our cowl, which is the reason both for the lack of purls and for turning the first stitch of each round.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi,
I wanted to size this up to US36 needles. What size yarn/ how many cast on stitches would you recommend?
Thanks,
Kara
Hi Kara,
Thanks for writing in! I would suggest using a bulky weight yarn, like Super Soft Merino, on US 36 needles. To determine how many stitches to cast on, you will need to knit a gauge swatch in pattern using your chosen yarn and needles and then measure your stitches per inch. You can multiply then this by 58 inches and round to the nearest even number.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I’ve copied this pattern using different wool and I’ve used the needles that the wool recommends however it is now curling up. Will blocking this fix that? I’m already two balls of wool into the project so unravelling it is not really an option
Hello Stephanie,
Thank you for reaching out! Your gauge might be to tight, this stitch requires that you use a much larger needle than what you would use for a stockinette or garter stitch. We used a worsted weight yarn which recommends a US 9 needle, but for this stitch we used a US17 needle.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if this answers your question!
-Marilla
Hello,
I loved this pattern the first time I saw, and am thinking of using an aran acrylic mix for this project. Given I’m fairly new to knitting, I don’t have many tools and am wondering how might the look/stitch definition change if I used a US #15 needle instead of #17? I wouldn’t mind a tighter knit but I’m unsure if there may be other structural issues that might happen eg. curling. (the yarn mix is 74% Acrylic 20% Wool 6% Viscose, if it’s a consideration) What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Esther
Hi Esther,
Thanks for writing in! While this stitch does not tend to curl up, you will end up with a smaller cowl and the fabric may end up stiffer and have less drape than our cowl, depending on how tight it turns out. The only way to tell for sure how it will behave would be to knit a swatch in pattern and decide if you are happy with your yarn on a US 15!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I love this pattern and would like to use a yarn that is similar in weight to get the same result, because the worsted hand dyes are discontinued. What yarn would you recommend?
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest substituting Understory, Worsted Twist, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, or Manos del Uruguay Maxima, but you can use almost any worsted weight yarn for this cowl!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! What other yarns would you recommend for this pattern since the Blue Sky is no longer available?
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest substituting Understory, Worsted Twist, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, or Manos del Uruguay Maxima, but you can use almost any worsted weight yarn for this cowl!
Best,
Julianna
Hi Julianna!
Just to confirm, any of these yarns would also be on the US 17 needles, and would also require 5 skeins?
Thank you!
Hi Samantha,
Yes, that is correct! The herringbone stitch results in a very desnse, compact fabric, so when using a worsted weight yarn, we bumped the needle size up to a US 17 to lighten things up!
Best,
Julianna
Hi, can you tell me how many grams or yards are in a skein? I usually buy wool in 100 gram balls so not sure how many I would need to get.
Thanks
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
Thanks for writing in! This yarn had 100 yards per 100 gram skein, and we used 5 for this cowl. Since yardage is usually much more accurate than grams, I would recommend checking the label of your yarn to make sure you have at least 500 yards of yarn.
Best,
Julianna
Does the stitch marker keep moving to the right or should it always be in the same place? It seems my stitch marker keeps moving away from the beginning of the first round.
Hello Candice,
Thank you for reaching out! In this pattern you will remove the stitch marker and k2tog, slipping the first stitch off the left needle. Place the stitch marker to the right of the first stitch on the right needle. To keep your marker in place you must do these steps every time you end/begin your round.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Is there a reason this pattern rolls significantly, but the mini herringbone doesn’t? I noticed this is recommended for knitting in the round, but the other pattern is used for a flat knit – why is that? I want to use this pattern for a blanket so it needs to stay flat. Would blocking or a much bigger needle (I’m using 15) help? I don’t want to finish blocking and risk it never staying flat given how much yarn is needed.
Hi Olivia,
Thanks for reaching out! Although the finished products look quite similar, the stitch used for the Big Herringbone Cowl and Mini Herringbone Scarf are worked differently, and as a result the Mini Herringbone Scarf stitch lays flat and is better suited for items that won’t be in the round. A very loose gauge does reduce rolling, so you could try a larger needle, but also, we don’t have instructions for knitting this version of the herringone stitch flat, so I would recommend using the version we used for the scarf instead for your blanket.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Why is the needle so large? Is it to accomodate the herringbone stitch? Is the yarn held double?
Hi Deborah,
Great question! Due to the nature of this herringbone stitch, it creates a very dense, tightly knit fabric, so it looks best if you knit it on a much larger needle than you normally would for the yarn. You will be using your yarn held single.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I am knitting the cowl in herringbone stich but have made an error. How do I unravel the stitch (or stitches) so that I can continue. Is there a video which would show how to unravel this stitch?
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we do not have a video showing how to fix mistakes in this pattern, but you are correct that it can be quite tricky! We recommend taking your time and tinking, or taking out your stitches one at a time, until you get back to your error.
Best,
Julianna
Hello, I have started this several times and ripped out. I find that if I drop a stitch I am completely lost. I am an experienced knitter and can always fix mistakes in normal knitting but this one has me completely stumped. I am highly motivated because I love the stitch but man, one false move and I’m ripping out again. It all seems so simple, but it’s not.
Hi Bev,
Thanks for reaching out! That is very true… This stitch requires a lot of concentration since it is pretty difficult to fix mistakes! Taking your time and working slow to avoid any mistakes is the way to go!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi! I want to make this is the Worsted Twist. According to your product details, 3 skeins will provide 492 yards. The pattern calls for 500 yards. Will 3 skeins work? Thank you!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! Although you might have to cast off a row or two sooner than we did, I think your cowl will turn out great with three skeins of Worsted Twist! I would recommend knitting the pattern until you have about 5 yards of yarn left. That should be enough to cast off!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Do you have to cast on to the right needle to start this cowl?
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for reaching out! For this cowl, you will cast on just as you normally would, using the same size needle that you will for the rest of the cowl.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I have this same question. I am trying this pattern for the first time, and I just finished casting on 220 stitches…onto the left needle. I read the next step, and it seems like the pattern is written to cast on to the right needle. I’m thinking it should work if I just do everything opposite (as far as left and right are concerned) for the rest of the time. Do you agree?
I’m left handed, and I’ve ended up doing this with many knitting/crochet patterns over the years when I accidentally do things opposite the pattern.
Hi Britni,
Thanks for reaching out! Since you are casting on the 220 stitches onto circular needles and joining the work in the round you should be goo to have them on the left or right needle!
All the best,
Gianna
Hello,
Beautiful cowl!
Could you please advise us on which cast on method was used for this project?
Thanks
Hi Joey,
Thanks for reaching out! Basic Long Tail Cast On should be fine for this pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna
I’ve made this cowl in the past and was looking to make it again…which yarn would you suggest since the original one is unavailable? thank you!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for reaching out! You could use any worsted weight for this pattern! I would suggest our Worsted Twist or Linen Quill Worsted!
Warmly,
Gianna
I am on my second cowl. I have discovered by accident that it’s far easier to rip out rows than to try to fix a mistake in a row. It was easy to get all the stitches back on the needles after ripping out a row or two. Saved me starting over again and again. Hope this saves someone else.
Help! I tried to cast on as loosely as possible but my stitches seem too tight to do the first row and get tighter with each stitch. What do I need to do? Thanks, I’m drooling over this pattern ❤️.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help! When you fist cast on did the stitches move easily along the needle? and what method of cast on did you use?
Looking forward to your response!
Warmly,
Gianna
I would like to try to use this pattern for simple cowl in the round using lace qiviut and silk blend. I would normally knit with size 00 and still get loose airy fabric from this yarn. What size needles would you recommend I try?
Hi Irena,
Thanks for reaching out! Using a US 00 needle would be a much different gauge than the written gauge of the pattern (since we used a US 17!) If you wanted to have a very fine version of the pattern than I would suggest working a gauge swatch first so you can adjust the pattern from there! As I am not familiar with the lace qiviut and silk blend yarn I can’t recommend a needle size. The yarn should have a suggest needle size with it and for this stitch I would recommend sizing up a need or 2 from what they recommend.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi! I really would like to make this cowl, but many of the desired colors in the Worsted Twist are sold out. Is your Linen Quill Worsted as warm? Is there any other yarn that would work for this pattern that is soft and warm? Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for reaching out! The Linen Quill Worsted would be a great alternative yarn to use in place of the Worsted Twist! It’s very warm and the linen content gives it some wonderful texture. If you want an option without the linen, which can sometimes be a little bit scratchy, I’d suggest either Anzula’s For Better or Worsted or Woolfolk’s Far as warm (and very soft) alternatives!
I hope this helps!
Take care,
Kelsey
Thank you so much! This is very helpful. Would it be the same needle size? (I know I need to do a gauge swatch, but I’m wondering what size needles to get.) And the same number of skeins?
Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
You should be able to use the same needle size with the other worsted options! They’re all similar in gauge to the Worsted Twist, though as you said I would recommend working up a gauge swatch first. I’d start with the US17’s and go from there. The Herringbone stitch works better if you’re using a larger needle; the stitches can get too tight if you size down too far!
I hope this helps, but please let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy Knitting!
Kelsey
Thank you so much!
I love love love this pattern! Thanks for sharing it. However I’m having a major problem with rolling on the edges. What did I do wrong?
Hi MJ,
Thanks for reaching out! Rolling can happen, and it can also be easily fixed! Blocking your finished cowl should help eliminate rolling!
Warmly,
Gianna
Oh – also, is it the same number of skeins if I use Woolfolk’s Far?
Hi Lauren,
I did some investigating and the original yarn used was 110 yards. The pattern calls for 5 skeins, so you’d need about 550 yards total for the project. With that in mind, I’d recommend buying 4 skeins of the Woolfolk Far, to make sure that you’ll have enough!
I hope this helps!
Happy Knitting!
Kelsey
What would you suggest for a yarn that is comparable to what this pattern the big herringbone cowl blue sky alpaca is calling for? I cannot locate the exact yarn the pattern is calling for please provide me your thoughts. Much appreciated
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we no longer carry this yarn, but luckily any worsted weight yarn will be great with this pattern! I would recommend using our lovely Worsted Twist!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Hello, Gianna…
I would like to make this as a regular-sized cowl closer to the neck. Do the number of stitches matter with this pattern, or can you have as many stitches as you want, or don’t want?
Thank you!
~Carol
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! You can cast on as many stitches as you would like, as long as it is an even number!
Warmly,
Gianna
This helps greatly, Thank you so much!!
Have a lovely weekend… :o)
Do I use the herrinbone stitch when knitting the swatch on circular needles? I am a beginner by the way.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, that is correct! For the swatch, you will want to use the herringbone stitch and make a swatch in the round. Typically when I am swatching in the round, I will make a swatch that is 5 inches wide (10 inches in circumference) and I will use either double pointed needles or Magic Loop! You can also check out our wonderful tutorial Swatching For Circular Gauge!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I am finally knitting this after ogling it for many years, and it has been an absolute pleasure. Apart from binding off, that is – I have bound off and ripped out twice because I can’t seem to do it without loose sloppy loops popping up periodically. Before I start again, do you have any advice that will make the third time be the charm?
Hi Tanya,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear that the bind-off for this pattern is giving you trouble! Would you be able to send a photo of your work to [email protected]? That way, we’d be able to visualize the problem better and troubleshoot from there!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much – I will do that right now
Hi! I love this cowl and wear the one I made everyday during the winter. I am making another one now for my sister- I never blocked mine but would like to do it for both mine and hers. What’s the best way to block this? Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
I would recommend wet blocking the cowl and laying it flat to dry! Our How To Hand Wash A Sweater tutorial actually provides some great tips, since it’s geared towards larger sized projects.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you!
How do you count stitches for gauge in the herringbone pattern?
Hi Bonnie,
That’s a great question! For stitch patterns like herringbone, where the individual stitches are obscured, I’d actually recommend measuring your gauge in an opposite way from normal. Just cast on the number of stitches that the stitch gauge indicates (in this case, 15 stitches), and then work in pattern for a bit (this pattern doesn’t specify a row/round gauge, but for patterns with a row/round gauge, you would want to knit the exact number of rows/rounds specified). Then, measure the width (and length, if your pattern has a row/round gauge) of the swatch. If it’s 4 inches, then you’re on gauge! If it’s more than 4 inches, you would need to try smaller needles, and if it’s less than 4 inches, you’d need to try larger needles.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I have made a mistake and need to tink a k2tog stitch. All the directions I found show how to tink a k2tog decrease. Would it be the same steps even though nothing is being decreased? Thank you so much!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out! The easiest way to tink one of the k2tog stitches in this pattern would be to first drop the second stitch off the left needle. This will turn the k2tog into a normal k2tog, and you can tink it as you would any other k2tog. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi!
My version of this cowl (in malabrigo rios) continues to curl even after some serious blocking. And I means serious blocking. I blocked the hell out of it. I would love to make another one, but how do I prevent the curling? On Ravelry it is suggested to cast on and knit the first rounds on smaller needles, but the fabric still curls…
Any suggestions would be incredibly appreciated!
Hi Anna,
I’m so sorry to hear that your cowl is curling so much, even after blocking! You could try adding more of a border in a non-curling stitch, such as garter or ribbing. This will essentially hold the edges down and prevent the entire knit fabric from curling!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much for replying! I really appreciate it. I’ll give the ribbing a shot. 🙂
I made this cowl back in 2014, and I love it. A friend recently asked if I could make her one. Blue Sky Fibers Worsted Hand Dyes is no longer available. Can you recommend a replacement yarn? Thanks!
Hi Joan,
Thank you for writing in! We are thrilled to hear you will be making a scarf for your friend! We would recommend Yonder or Hedgerow as great alternatives for this pattern. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Help! I knit this. Big Herringbone Cowl. I love it but I hated knitting it. I made too many mistakes and can blame some of it on selecting the wrong needles to work with. I really want to frog it and re-knit it. I have having a heck of a time pulling it apart from the end. If I start pulling it apart from the beginning will it going any better?
Hi Chris,
We are so sorry to hear you will be frogging your project! We don’t recommend frogging from cast on but one thing you could do is try frog slower to allow your stitches to unravel without tangling! I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
I’m just starting out with this pattern and I must admit, I’m using a lighter weight yarn. However, my question is , I have a ridge between the herringbone rows. Do you know what I am doing to cause this?
Hi Beth,
I’m so sorry to hear that your project isn’t turning out as expected! Would you mind sending a photo of your work so far to [email protected] please? That way we can better visualize what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili