It’s become more than evident to me that I cannot get enough of 1) neutrals and 2) cowls. First came the White Caps Cowl, a play of textures in soft creams; next the Shawl Collar Cowl, like a folded cloud; then the Salt + Pepper Cowl, a blend of crisp heathery fibers; and now, the latest addition to this mini-collection, the Ombre Cowl!

Ombre Cowl | Purl Soho

This Ombre Cowl explores the complexity of subtle shifts in shade and texture by combining three yarns of differing weights and fibers. Jade Sapphire’s sumptuous Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere starts the journey and grounds the bottom edge, while Madeline Tosh’s hand dyed Tosh Merino Light dominates the middle section, and floating along the top is Alchemy’s Haiku, a weightless silk and mohair blend.

Ombre Cowl | Purl Soho

In a gently rippling slip stitch pattern, these three fibers flow into one another with such harmony and grace that my love of neutrals (and cowls!) may be just beginning!

Ombre Cowl | Purl Soho

Make your own exploration into this fascinating world of fiber-play with our Ombre Cowl. Choose from three beautiful colorways: Gray (pictured here), Navy or Natural. -Laura

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

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

Materials

  • Yarn A: 1 skein of Jade Sapphire’s Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere, 100% Mongolian Cashmere. Each skein is 150 yards/ 55 grams; approximately 150 yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Jade Sapphire’s Zageo 6-Ply Cashmere, but choose from one of our other light worsted/dk weight yarns.)
  • Yarn B: 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino Light, 100% Superwash Merino Wool; or approximately 420 yards of a fingering weight yarn.
  • Yarn C: 1 skein of Alchemy’s Haiku, 60% Kid Mohair, 40% Silk. (Please note, Haiku is no longer available. We recommend using 1 skein of our Tussock or 325 yards of a laceweight mohair yarn!)
  • US 8 (5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
  • US 6 (4 mm), 16-inch circular needles
  • US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
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  • GRAY
    • 1 skein of Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere in Sterling
    • 1 skein of Tosh Merino Light in Silver Fox
    • 1 skein of Haiku in Platinum
  • NAVY
    • 1 skein of Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere in Blue Steel
    • 1 skein of Tosh Merino Light in Dr. Zhivago’s Sky
    • 1 skein of Haiku in Cornflower Blue
  • NATURAL
    • 1 skein of Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere in Driftwood
    • 1 skein of Tosh Merino Light in Antique Lace
    • 1 skein of Haiku in Husk

Gauge

  • 6½ stitches = 1 inch in Heel Stitch, using Yarn A on US 8 needles
  • 7½ stitches = 1 inch in Heel Stitch, using Yarn B on US 6 needles
  • 8½ stitches = 1 inch in Heel Stitch, using Yarn C on US 4 needles
To swatch Heel Stitch…

Cast on 24 stitches (or any even number). We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Row 1: *K1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 3 or 4 inches from cast on edge.

Size

Finished circumference at top edge: 17 inches

Finished circumference at bottom edge: 26 inches

Finished height: 16 1/2 inches long

Notes

Slip all slipped stitches purlwise with yarn in back.

For assistance with knitting stripes in the round, please visit our tutorial right here.

All shaping is accomplished with needle size changes. No decreasing in pattern.

Pattern

Begin with Yarn A

With Yarn A and US 8 needles, cast on 150 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

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

Round 1: *P1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2 inches from cast on edge.

Next Round: Knit.

Next Round: *K1, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat last two rounds until piece measures 3 inches from cast on edge.

Introduce Yarn B

Round 1: With Yarn B and US 6 needles, knit.

Round 2: With Yarn A and US 8 needles, *k1, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge.

Continue in only Yarn B

Round 1: With Yarn B and US 6 needles, knit.

Round 2: With Yarn B and US 6 needles, *k1, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 10½ inches from cast on edge.

Introduce Yarn C

Round 1: With Yarn C and US 4 needles, knit.

Round 2: With Yarn B and US 6 needles, *k1, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 13½ inches from cast on edge.

Continue in only Yarn C

Round 1: With Yarn C and US 4 needles, knit.

Round 2: With Yarn C and US 4 needles, *k1, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 16½ inches from cast on edge.

Finish

Bind off loosely using US 6 needles, or if you tend to bind off tightly, use the US 8.

Weave in the ends and gently block your cowl.

Ombre Cowl | Purl Soho