At Purl Soho we have a customer who, no matter the season, breezes into the store draped in the most meticulously combined textures layered to perfection and always, I mean always, in neutrals from head to toe. She makes one color feel like a rainbow with her play of hues and shades, textures and cuts. This woman, she can really wear gray.

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho

This lovely fashionista was on my mind when I coupled this dynamic duo of yarns. One, Habu’s Viscose Sizing, a crisp, stark white ribbon wrapped in a delicate black thread. The other, Alchemy’s Haiku, a gorgeous hand-dyed silk and mohair blend with a downy glow.

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho

As with our customer’s ensembles, the Salt + Pepper Cowl is an in-depth exploration of tactility and versatility. The ends are ribbed pulling both yarns, contrasting with the nearly weightless body of the cowl, which is knit in a smooth single row stripe. A slit at one end can be worn at the top, folded over like a collar. Or flip the cowl over and wear the slit draping over a shoulder for some extra length, drama and jaunty asymmetry.

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!

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho

Thank you, chic, beautiful customer of ours, for the inspiration. You’re one of so many who exhilarate our senses every day! -Laura

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoSaltAndPepperCowl. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho
  • To knit your own Salt + Pepper Cowl you will need…
    • Yarn A: 1 skein of Alchemy’s Haiku, 60% kid mohair and 40% silk. Each skein is 325 yards/ 25 grams; approximately 325 yards required. We used the color Silver.
    • Yarn B: 1 skein of Habu’s Viscose Sizing, 100% rayon. Each skein is 1140 yards; approximately 325 yards required. We used the color N-35.
  • US 2 (3 mm), 16-inch circular needles

Shop our wonderful collection of lace-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

8½ stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch using Yarn B

Size

  • Finished Dimensions: 22 inches in circumference by 17 inches long

Notes

A large portion of this cowl is constructed by working single row stripes in the round. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, please visit our tutorial by clicking here.

Pattern

Begin with Ribbing

With Yarn A, cast on 188 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place marker and join for working in the round being careful not to twist stitches.

Holding both Yarn A and Yarn B together, *k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue working in a 2 x 2 rib until piece measures 3 inches from cast on edge.

Still holding both Yarn A and B together, knit.

Continue knitting each round until piece measures 3½ inches.

Continue with Stripes

Round 1: With Yarn A, knit.

Round 2: With Yarn B, knit.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 13½ inches from cast on edge, ending with Round 2.

Next Round: With Yarn A, k2tog, knit to last two stitches, ssk. (186 stitches).

Working with Both Yarns Again

Holding both Yarn A and Yarn B together, knit to end of round.

Continue knitting each round until piece measures 14 inches.

Next Round: *K2, p2, repeat to last two stitches, k2.

NOTE: You will now be working back and forth in rows rather than in the round. You will turn the work at the end of each row.

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, p1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 17 inches from cast on edge.

Repeat Row 1.

Cut Yarn B.

Finish

With Yarn A, loosely bind off in pattern.

Weave in your ends and block gently.

Salt + Pepper Cowl | Purl Soho

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!