In the pantheon of classics we think our Classic Cowl is right at home. Like the little black dress and the camel trench coat, cowls have worked their way onto the shortlist of wardrobe staples.

Classic Cowl | Purl Soho

I paired this pattern with another near-newbie, Purl Soho’s wonderfully soft, beautifully plied Worsted Twist. Knit in a never-boring neutral, Wheat Flour, and in a never-boring stitch pattern, Fluffy Brioche, our Classic Cowl is just that. -Laura

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!

Classic 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, #PurlSohoClassicCowl, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Classic Cowl | Purl Soho

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 fluffy brioche stitch

20 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Size

Finished Height: 12 inches

Finished Circumference: 60 inches

Note

Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.

Pattern

Begin

Cast 226 stitches onto the circular needle. I used a Long Tail Tubular Cast On, because it’s nice and stretchy, but a basic Long Tail Cast On would also do! If you use the Long Tail Tubular Cast On, don’t forget to work the two Foundation Rows before joining in the round (they are described both in our tutorial and below).

If You Did a Long Tail Tubular Cast On…

Foundation Row 1: *Knit 1 through the back loop, slip one with yarn in front, repeat from * to end of row.

Foundation Row 2: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * to end of row.

If you Did a Long Tail Cast on or Similar…

Foundation Row: *K1, p1 through the back loop (tbl), repeat from * to end of row.

Continue in Twisted Rib

Place a marker and join to work in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K1 through the back loop (tbl), p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 1 inch from cast-on edge.

Continue in Fluffy Brioche Stitch

Round 1: *P1, slip 1 wyif (with yarn in front), yo, repeat from * to end of round. [339 stitches]

Round 2: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [226 stitches]

Round 3: *Slip 1 wyif, yo, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [339 stitches]

Round 4: *K2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [226 stitches]

Repeat Rounds 1-4 until piece measures approximately 11 inches from cast-on edge or 1 inches shy of desired finished height, ending with Round 2.

Continue in Twisted Rib

Round 1: *K1tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

IF YOU BEGAN WITH A TUBULAR CAST ON AND WILL DO A TUBULAR BIND OFF…

Repeat Round 1 for 3/4 inches.

IF YOU BEGAN WITH A LONG TAIL CAST ON AND WILL DO A BASIC BIND OFF…

Repeat Round 1 for 1 inch.

Bind Off

If You Did a Long Tail Tubular Cast On…
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Bind off with a Long Tail Tubular Bind Off, using the following set-up rounds. NOTE:  Round 1 is different here than in the tutorial in order to accomplish a twisted rib Tubular Bind Off)…

Set-Up Round 1: Work the round, knitting the knit stitches tbl and slipping the purled stitches purlwise with the yarn in front.

Set-Up Round 2: Work the round, purling the purl stitches and slipping the knit stitches purlwise with yarn in back.

If you Did a Long Tail Cast on or Similar…

Bind off loosely in pattern.

Finish

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

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!