Crosshatch Cowl
On one side, our Crosshatch Cowl’s delicate criss-es and crosses appear etched by hand; while on the other, ridges resemble furrowed rows of just-planted seeds. This fabric may abound in complexity and dimensional interest, but it’s really just a simple spin on easy-as-pie stockinette stitch!
Each stroke of the Crosshatch Cowl is drawn with Purl Soho’s single ply, fine merino yarn, aptly named Line Weight. We worked this fingering weight yarn on nice, big needles so that the fabric springs with extra loft and the light shines through!
No one else needs to know how little effort it takes to create this Crosshatch Cowl! Happy knitting! -Laura
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoCrosshatchCowl, and #PurlSohoLineWeight. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 (2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino. Each skein is 494 yards; approximately 450 (900) yards required. We used the color Heirloom White.
- A US 11 (8 mm), 60-inch circular needle
- A stitch marker
Gauge
25 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern (blocked)
Size
Narrow (Wide)
- Finished Width (blocked): 7 (14) inches
- Finished Circumference (blocked): 74 inches (long enough to wrap around twice or three times!)
Sample: The sample pictured here uses approximately 1 1/4 skeins and measures 8 3/4 inches wide.
Pattern
Cast on 464 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place marker and join for working in the round being careful to not twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains in the round, slip one purlwise, remove marker, replace slipped stitch onto left needle, K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, replace stitch marker.
Here’s a short video that may clarify the stitch…
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures approximately 7 (14) inches from the cast-on edge.
Continue to work the stitch pattern to bind off. Here’s how…
[K2tog and slip only the first stitch off the left needle] 2 times, pass the first stitch over (just like a normal bind off), *k2tog and slip the first stitch off the left needle, pass the first stitch over, repeat from * until 2 stitches remain (1 stitch on the left needle and 1 stitch on the right needle), knit the last stitch and pass the first stitch over. Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Weave in the ends and block gently.
When I read the directions my brain went wonky! If you knit two together there’s only one stitch on the needle. How then can you–wait a minute–let me give this a try. Nope. Would you pretty please clarify the instructions so that those of us who are marginally stupid can make this lovely cowl? Thanks so much in advance.
Hi Virginia.
Thanks for writing in.
Let me see if I can help clarify! So, to knit 2 together, you insert the right needle into the front legs of two stitches. Typically, after wrapping the working yarn around the right needle and pulling the needle back through the stitches, you let both stitches fall off the left needle (decreasing, turning the two stitches into one), but here… only let that one, first stitch fall off the left needle.
Does that help?!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Laura
First of all, thanks much for these free patterns, I’ve made a few and they are much appreciated! Having said that, I’m having a very frustrating time with this one. After casting on 464 (phew!!) and then desperately trying to join in the round without any twisting (phew!) I can’t seem to get the hang of this pattern. I’ve sat in front of my computer with my needles and tried several times. If I understand correctly, after inserting the right needle into two stitches on the left hand needle, wrapping the yarn and then putting the needle between the two stiches so that only one transfers to the right needle….? But now, I have NO room to maneuver my right needle back into two more stitches on the left. It’s just MUCH too tight. Perhaps I’m using a yarn without enough “give”? Of course, I can’t find the label right now, but its a fingering weight and I’m knitting double.
Hi Anne!
Bravo on the cast on. It’s no small feat!!!
I think I understand where you’re caught!
Once you’ve inserted the needle into the two stitches and have wrapped the yarn around the right needle, pull the right needle back through BOTH stitches, at this point just let one of the two (the one closes to the tip) that you’ve knit together drop off the left needle.
I think then you’ll be able to maneuver ok.
One question though… when you say knitting double… are you pulling two strands of fingering weight yarn, if so… you’ll probably need to be on a US15 or 17 or something quite large. The yarn I used is thick lace or thin fingering weight and I used US11s. You have to needle up quite a lot for this stitch to be nice and airy. It’s very dense. This might be another reason you’re having a hard time getting your needles where you want them!
Please let me know if you have any questions at all.
Laura
I love the Purl Bee patterns. I wish that sometimes you would put some of the trickier parts of patterns on youtube. It would be so much easier to see it as opposed to trying to understand it from written directions. I would love to see these videos.
Between your response to me and the one to Anne, I think I’ve got it! Thank you so much.
I love the look of this pattern and I’m currently trying knit one of your other free scarf patterns. In the other pattern you have included a video showing how the stitch is done, any chance of doing one for this pattern? I’m only a very new beginner to knitting and a video would be a great help.
Hi Clarissa.
Thanks for writing in and for your request. We’ll try and get this on the docket. In the meantime though, can I help walk you through the steps?! I’d love to help get you on your way!
Laura
I’m with Clarissa on this one – having a bit of a brain-splodey moment trying to figure this out without a visual and would love a video or picture tutorial for the steps if you could. Thanks.
Hey Rachel.
Thanks for the request. We’ll try and get more info up soon!
Stay tuned.
Laura
Hi Laura, thanks so much for your offer to help. I’ve read all the other comments and suggestions but I’m still a little lost. I may have to wait and hope you’re able to add a video.
It looks like you K2 together, only slip off the first stitch of the K2 together. Next, K2 together with the second stitch of the K2 together and the next stitch.
Diane!
That is absolutely right!!
Thanks for helping clarify.
Laura
I understand (I think) your response to Virginia, but now I am confused again. I don’t see anywhere you say to drop the second stitch. (diane’s question)
I would also love to see a video of this. I knit both continental and English and would love to see both methods for this stitch– it’s one I’ve never done.
Finally, is it 1 or 2 skeins? I have a nice skein of fingering that I’d like to use for this and I’d like to know the yardage before I’m so short that it’s too narrow.
Thank you
Hi AlisinWnderlnd,
Thanks for writing in.
Regarding the size… There are two sizes, for a 7 inch wide cowl you’ll need 1 skein. For a 14 inch wide cowl, you’ll need 2 skeins. The sample pictured here uses over a skein and measures 8 3/4 inches wide. If you need to reference any of this information, you can find it under the section titled “SIZES”.
The circumference of this cowl is quite generous. It loops around 3 times. With a smaller circumference you’ll be able to accomplish a nice width with just one skein. You could try for something around 58-60 inches.
Regarding the stitch pattern… Once you knit the first and second stitches of the round together and drop the first stitch off the left needle, you’ll continue that step… next you’ll knit the second and third stitch of the round together and drop the second stitch off, then you’ll work the third and forth stitch of the round together and drop the third stitch off… and so on until you get to the last stitch of the round. At this point you’ll have to slip a stitch and move the end of round marker, replace the slipped stitch so you can work the last stitch of the round together with the first stitch of the round, then replace the end-of-round marker.
I hope this helps clarify things!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Laura
Thank you for the clarification – as a well seasoned knitter my brain was a little fuzzy reading the instructions as well.
What a gorgeous pattern! Thank you for sharing.
This is so lovely. I get constant pleas for lap robes from the local Cancer clinic and was wondering how to knit this pattern flat. Any help would be so appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Yanagi.
Thanks for your interest in the pattern! Here is how this stitch pattern goes, knit flat…
Right Side: *K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, k1.
Wrong Side: *P2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, p1.
Please note… When worked densely, an interesting, not untidy edge forms. When worked loosely however, (like here, using fingering weight on nice big needles) the edges become quite a bit messier looking. This is one of the reasons, at this gauge, we decided to make a cowl rather than a wrap or scarf.
Hope this helps!
Laura
Thank you so much. I’m sure I can fiddle with something until I get a neat edge. I really appreciate such a kind and quick reply.
So excited! I have 1 skein of line weight in dragonfly blue that I’ve been trying to find a pattern for. this is perfect!
Can you please translate the pattern stitch for using 2 straight needles?
Hi Arlene.
Thanks for your interest in the pattern!
Right Side: *K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, k1.
Wrong Side: *P2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, p1.
Please note… When worked densely, an interesting, not untidy edge forms. When worked loosely however, (like here, using fingering weight on nice big needles) the edges become quite a bit messier looking. This is one of the reasons, at this gauge, we decided to make a cowl rather than a wrap or scarf.
Hope this helps!
Laura
I’m pretty new to knitting, so I need some clarification. Why does the materials list say — “1 (2) skein(s)” of yarn when the cowl is in only one size. Do I need one or two skeins to knit it as shown? Thanks!
Hi Lynda.
There are two sizes: Narrow (Wide)
The Narrow sizes uses one skein and is 7 inches wide. The Wide size uses two skeins, measuring 14 inches wide. The sample uses about a skein and plus some and measures 8 3/4 inches wide.
Hope this helps!
Laura
Does long tail cast on work with this pattern
Hi Merella.
Yes it does. I used a long tail cast on for this!
Thanks.
Laura
Laura,
I plan to use the long tail cast on. Did you cast on very loosely or just normally? (I want to get it right on the first try if I can!)
Thanks,
Amber
Hi Amber.
I used a Long Tail Cast On as well and did it with a normal, middle-of-the-road tension… not too tight, not too loose. Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any questions! -Laura
Hello, I’m still confused, how many stitches are left on your needles after the first row?
Hi Gill.
The stitch count is the same at the end of each Round.
Is there a specific part of the pattern that I can try and talk you through?
Please write us back. We’d love to help get you on your way!
Laura
Do you really need a 60 inch cord? Addi doesn’t seem to have one that long for a U. S. #11.
This looks like a fun project.
Thanks
Hi Kathy.
I think you could get away with a shorter needle. The Line Weight really squishes up if needed. If you use shorter needles though, maybe use point protectors, just to be safe!
Thanks,
Laura
Just wanted to comment that your PRINT tool is fantastic, giving us options to create a PDF, email or just print as is. It is far superior to other websites’ provisions for printing free patterns. I am ever grateful, (and of course, for the lovely patterns too.) Many thanks!
June!
You just made our team’s day!
Thanks for writing in and about the print button!
You are very welcome for the patterns.
Thanks for the kind words and support.
Laura
If only 1 stitch remains in the round (I’m assuming on the left needle point) how do you K2tog? Please let me know when the video of this is made.
Hi Fern.
Thanks for writing in.
I’m not sure when we’ll have a video for this, but in the meantime maybe I can try and talk (or type) you through it…
If you reference the last part of Row 1.. once you get to where one stitch remains, you’re going to slip one stitch purlwise, remove the end-of-round marker, replace slipped stitch onto left needle, then k2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, then you’ll replace the stitch marker… essentially, you’re working the last stitch of the round with the first stitch of the round and with each round the “end of round” moves over one stitch.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Laura
How might we knit something like this in the flat? back and forth? Not for a cowl but maybe a ordinary scarf. I have a pile of alpaca but men don’t like cowls as much as a plain scarf. Ideas? Or do same stitch in both directions? When I tried back and forth, I had one stitch left at the end and just knit it and still had the same number of stitches as the previous row. How about this?
Hi Mary.
Thanks for your interest in the pattern! You are absolutely right about just knitting that last stitch.
Here’s the instructions for working this pattern flat…
Right Side: *K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, k1.
Wrong Side: *P2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains, p1.
Please note… When worked densely, an interesting, not untidy edge forms. When worked loosely however, (like here, using fingering weight on nice big needles) the edges become quite a bit messier. This is one of the reasons, at this gauge, we decided to make a cowl rather than a wrap or scarf. For a men’s scarf though I imagine you’ll be working it a bit tighter than I did here. You’ll still need to jump up from the recommended needle size, but I’m guessing you’ve already figured that out in your swatching!
Hope this helps!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Laura
Could you clarify which size is shown (or are both)? It seems the larger one is modeled, and the smaller is on the flat surface, but I’d like to know for sure. Thanks!
Hi Debbie!
The sample is 8 3/4 inches wide, it is between the two sizes. We really wanted to keep working on it until it was 14 inches, but we were too excited to postpone the posting of this project so we bound off and went ahead and shared it!
All of the sizing info can be found in the section titled “SIZES” if you want a quick to reference this info later.
Thanks for writing in and let me know if you have any questions!
Laura
I have done a cowl in a similar stitch called the herringbone stitch. It’s a gorgeous effect. Difference is SSK instead of K2Tog and dropping only first stitch. Very time consuming though. I recommend a needle a few sizes larger for your yarn. Can be very tight
Hi! I went to my local yarn shop to look at fingering weight yarn for this project, and I became completely confused. Line/Fingering weight yarn plus size 11 needles is going to result in some extremely lacy, large stitches. Really #11s? Or is there a typo? My imagination can’t make the picture you shared match up with essentially sock yarn on size 11 needles…Help?
Hi Helene.
Yes, US #11s.
This stitch is extremely dense and to get the light airy feel, I used US11s. If you’re a looser knitter than I am, you may only need US #9s or 10s.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Hello,
I’ve been trying to practice this stitch on regular yarn (before CO the 400+ sts) and still can’t get the hang of it, so hopefully you will have a video tutorial for the stitch. Is there another name to this stitch pattern? (Maybe someone out there in YouTube world already made the video).
Also, if I were to shortened the length of the cowl (i.e. would like it to go around twice, max.) is there a multiply number of stitches that needs to be satisfied when casting-on? E.g. multiply of 8 sts or multiply of 8 sts +2, etc.
Many thanks,
Claire
Hi Claire.
This stitch is often called “Twice Knit” and it works with any stitch count.
Thanks.
Laura
Thank you Laura, for providing the stitch name. I got this video, and now I GOT IT! 😀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgi2C9gQXEE
What a feeling it is to finally understand how to make a stitch. Thanks for the elegant yet simple pattern.
Cheers,
Claire
Thanks for the lovely pattern. I have used quite a few of your free patterns and also bought one of them. I have some 4 ply merino bambino pure wool with me. Actually 5 balls of 95 yards each. Would this he sufficient to make this cowl as it is sized?.
Thanks
Hi Rita.
Thanks for writing in.
475 yards should be plenty to make a cowl! If you’re working at the same gauge as I did here, you should be able to get a cowl that is approximately 74 inches in circumference and 7 inches wide. If you want it to be wider (the sample pictured here is 8 3/4 inches wide), you may want to consider casting on fewer stitches. The 74-inch circumference cowl pictured here can loop around 3 times, but if you cast on for about 58-60 inches, the cowl will still loop around twice and you’ll have plenty of yarn for a nice generous width!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Laura
do you mean i cast on around 60 stitches lesser?
Oh Rita.
I am so sorry for the confusion… I meant to write “inches” there, not “stitches”. Cast on for 58 to 60 inches. To do that, take your gauge and multiply it by your desired finished circumference and cast that number on!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Sorry again about that typo.
Laura
Having only read the instructions (and comments) and not tried this pattern…I can’t imagine how this works because it seems you are continually decreasing by knitting two together and dropping one. Of course that can’t be the case, but perhaps you can explain how this works.
I, too, really appreciate the patterns. Most recently I have made the brioche cowl, one about 11 inches wide and the second about 7 inches. The pattern was fun once I got the hang of it and receives many compliments…Thank you!
But then you re-knit the stitch that you didn’t drop from the previous knit two together. So by knitting the stitch twice (once in the previous k2t and then in the next k2t) you have not decreased.
Thanks for all of these patterns 🙂
They are all beautiful! And really inspire me to try new things, they challenge me, and in doing so make me into a better knitter.
So… thank you !
I didn’t really grasp this pattern at first, but after I read all of these comments I think (cross my fingers) I might have it!
Sooooo after i cast on my stiches; I k2tog leaving second stitch on left needle but pulling right needless through both. And repeat… right?
Thanks ~Ashley
Hi Ashley.
Thank you for the kind words!
It sounds like you’ve got it… insert the right needle to k2tog as normal, pulling the needle and yarn through both, but then only let one stitch drop from the left needle.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Laura
To all those very confused about the ‘dropping the first stitch only’ part – I was with you, gave it a few goes but kept getting all messed up. I ended up googling to find a video – while there isn’t one for this particular stitch, the herringbone stitch tutorials are conceptually similar, and watching those cleared it up for me. Maybe try watching those? Hope it helps!
A day later, now almost half way through my cowl (I am using a dk, extremely soft alpaca on 13 needles and it coming up a treat!) We are about to hit a very cold snap this week in southern Australia, so racing to finish so I can wear it later in the week. Thanks for yet another amazing pattern purl bee ladies!
Is purl bee office in NYC ? Do you offer a class? I can take the train into NYC .
Susan
Hi Susan.
Purl Soho does offer classes and they take place in our shop which is in the Soho neighborhood of New York City.
Here is a link to our class schedule: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/classes-and-events/
Here is a link to our Classes FAQ page: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/classes-faqs/
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Laura
There is an excellent video here:
http://www.theweeklystitch.com/2011/12/herringbone-stitch.html
showing a very similar stitch – the only difference is she’s knitting through the back loop instead of the front. Close enough that I could figure it out from watching!
Thanks for posting the instructions to knit flat to make a scarf. However, would you confirm that that to make a scarf I would still cast on 400+ stitches and build it from the long end? (Versus building it from the short end like most scarves).
Hi Kim.
Great question… You could work it either way! Knitter’s choice!
Thanks,
Laura
Thank you for this beautiful pattern! I’d like to make a baby blanket using this stitch, and I see from the previous comments that you’ve already kindly provided the pattern for knitting it flat. I’m wondering about an edging/border for the blanket. Would you recommend anything in particular, or just a garter stitch border? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi Claire H.
It’s going to be hard to find an edge stitch that matches the row gauge of this twice knit fabric. so I think I would probably work the piece flat just in stitch pattern and then go back and pick up along the edge doing an attached iCord. That way you can pick up as many as you need to ensure the piece doesn’t pull or pucker.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Laura
Laura
Thank you! I hadn’t thought about the i-cord edge. Good idea!
Is anyone else but me having problems with the cable on the needles just twisting horribly? Is it the nature of this stitch or am I doing something wrong?
How many stitches to cast on for a single – no looping – cowl in fingering yarn?
Hi Nancy.
It depends on how snug you want it. You’ll probably want enough stitches to make somewhere between an 18- and 22-inch circumference. If it’s helpful to see other single – no looping – cowls, to determine what circumference you’d like, maybe check out some of the projects below.
The circumference of our…
Our Bandana Cowl is 19 inches https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/10/11/sweet-stitching-with-erin-bandana-cowl/
Our Briaded Cable Cowl is decreases from 26 inches at the bottom to 20 inches at the top https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/02/07/braided-cable-cowl/
Our Lovely Ribbed Cowl is 18 inches https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/11/01/lovely-ribbed-cowl/
Our Ombre Cowl decreases from 26 inches at the bottom to 17 inches at the top https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/25/lauras-loop-ombre-cowl/
Our Reversible Cowl decreases from 22 1/4 inches at the bottom to 20 inches at the top https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/02/20/reversible-cowl/
Our Salt and Pepper Cowl is 22 inches https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/05/09/lauras-loop-salt-and-pepper-cowl/
Our Structured Alpaca Cowl decreases from 21 inches at the bottom to 17 inches at the top https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/11/26/lauras-loop-structured-alpaca-cowl-in-purl-sohos-new-alpaca/
Once you know what circumference you’d like, simply multiply that dimension by your gauge to the inch.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Laura
It appears you have an error in your pattern. You don’t say that the second row is a purl row. You do not mention purling at all. I only figured it out once I tried the pattern and it just looked like a very prominent garter stitch, then read the comments.
Should it be:
Round 1: *K2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, repeat from * until one stitch remains in the round, slip one purlwise, remove marker, replace slipped stitch onto left needle, P2tog dropping only the first stitch off the left needle, replace stitch marker.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures approximately 8 3/4 inches from the cast-on edge.
Hi Francie.
Thanks for writing in.
After casting on, there is just one round of pattern that you repeat over and over and over again until you bind off.
If you were to work this pattern flat, rather than in the round, then yes… the second row would be a purl row. But since this cowl is worked in the round, every row is the same. It’s kind of like working stockinette stitch in the round, your always on the “right”, knit side.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Laura
Thanks PurlBee for another fabulous and free pattern!
I bought your Line Weight in the same white that you used because I think that colour is a great match for the pattern.
And, I see that some people are struggling with the stitch – but I found it easy to do by simply following what you wrote (maybe don’t think about it too much?)
Thanks again for all the amazing inspiration you provide!
Okie Dokie, after reading through all the comments, I decided to give it a try. I got my size 11 , 60″ cables, and the yarn in Heirloom White. Love this yarn, it’s so soft. I cast on, loosely, 464 stitches. Then I followed your directions and other clarifications. I think I have it correct. Knit 2 together but only drop off the stitch at the tip of the needle.Then add that “second stitch” to the one beside it to knit together, and drop That One off. It’s a very unique pattern, and I was looking for a different looking cowl for my daughter in law. I think it will be gorgeous. Thank you!
I’m so excited to try this pattern and am planning to use it for Christmas gifts this year! Thank you for the inspiration and yarn!
A huge thank you to Claire who attached the video of the stitch
May 11. I kept getting stuck mentally on the idea knit 2 together but don’t. Your instructions in the comments helped and it helped to see it as well. Thanks again! Tina
Hello,
I understand the pattern and can do it, but it’s very very tight. Am I doing something wrong? Did I cast on too tightly? Should this be a very very loose cast?
Thank you!
Hi Shella.
You aren’t doing a thing wrong. It’s a very dense stitch. I would maybe try going up a needle size. Also, once you get the hang of the stitch, your tension may loosen up some, so I’d definitely recommend starting with a swatch!
Thanks for writing in.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Laura
The cast on and the first round were very tight for me, but round 2 got much more comfortable!
Hi
My name is Anne and I am from Denmark. I am trying to convert your recipe into centimeters. My problem is the needle. An US#11 seems quite thick on my needleconverter (it’s a 8 mm) and therefor I get confused over the 464 stitches??
So my question is: Should I use a 3mm?? That is the same as an imperial #11
Thank you 🙂
Anne
Hi Anne.
Yes! I did use a US#11 which is the same as an 8mm.
I know the needle size must seem outrageously large for the thickness of the yarn, but because this stitch pattern is so dense, you have to use a really big needle in order to create an airy and drapey fabric.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Hi guys,
I love your patterns! just wondering what the best cast on to use for this pattern is?
Cheers,
Cassie
Hi Cassie.
Great question. Thanks for writing in.
I used a Long-Tail Cast On for this project. I’m sure there are other great cast ons that would work. I just liked how invisible the Long-Tail was.
Best,
Laura
Thank you so much for posting this pattern! I just finished a herringbone cowl and was curious about what a cowl would look like knitting through the front loop on all rounds. Add that in with the Purl Soho line weight just sitting in my stash and this was a match made in knitting heaven! Thanks again!
Thank you so much for this pattern and all your patterns – they are beautiful and you are so helpful to answer all our questions!
I know you touched on this in earlier comments, but I just wanted to confirm two things before starting:
1) the number of stitches doesn’t matter (could be odd or even number and the pattern still works? just wanted to make sure if I slightly miscount the 464 stitches it will be ok!)
2) A lot of websites for twice knit knitting suggest doing a knit-on cast-on where you knit into two stitches, e.g. http://www.sapphiresnpurls.com/2011/10/twice-knit-knitting.html. I know you used long tail cast on, are there any pros/cons to doing the knit-on cast on, which I think I would prefer?
Thank you so much again! I’m finalizing my cart with some of your sale yarns today 🙂 So excited!
Hi Sarah.
Thanks for writing in.
1) Any cast on number will work, even or odd.
2) Thanks for sharing this link. I’ve not tried that cast on before. I enjoyed the long-tail for this project, but I’m sure there are loads of cast ons that would work.
Thanks again for writing in.
Happy Sale Shopping.
Best,
Laura
I started this cowl and it looks just like the herringbone stich, when I went back to the herringbone pattern it reads the same, knitt 2tog drop first stich, right?
Hi Suzette.
Thanks for writing in.
Yes, you are right. This is very similar to the Big Herrinbone Cowl pattern. This pattern uses one of the two rounds of that pattern. The end of round is worked slightly differently, but they are very similar, you are correct!
Best,
Laura
Hi again,
I made a mistake on round two and accidentally switched the direction of my knitting – I need to rip out about a 100 stitches to get back on track. Any suggestions for how to do this without having to just unravel everything? When I pulled out a stitch or two it seems like the loops just melt away and I don’t know how to pick them up again…
Sarah
Hi Sarah.
Thanks for writing in.
You could take a much smaller needle, like a US4 or similar, and draw it through (picking up each stitch of) your last good round of work. That way when you do slip out your working needle and start unraveling your fabric, the spare needle will stop the yarn from unraveling further than you want. Then you can just use your working needle to work off of the spare needle until all of your stitches are back on your working needle.
Hope this helps!
Good luck!
Laura
HI. This really is a beautiful cowl. I am considering making it. Where would I find the sizing chart? Thanks much, Marion
Hi Marion.
Just below the intro and the list of materials, there is a section titled “Gauge”, the following section titled “Sizes.
With 1 (2) skein(s) you can make a cowl that 7 (14) inches wide and 74 inches in circumference. This 74-inch circumference is long enough to wrap around three times. If you’d like a cowl that wraps just twice, I’ve suggested to a few other readers to cast on for a 58 to 60 inch circumference. To calculate the cast on number, take your gauge to the inch and multiply it by your desired length.
I hope this helps.
Please let us know if you have any questions. -Laura
Hi,
I’m trying to do the crosshatch stitche, but I would like to know how do I do on row 2? do you do exactly the same, or do you purl all the row?
Thank you! Rapha (from pAris**)
Hi Raphaelle.
Are you working in the round or are you working flat?
If you are working in the round, you just continue to repeat Round 1.
If you are working flay, for Row 2 you do the same steps as with Row 1, but you p2tog rather than k2tog.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Thanks. -Laura
I noticed I made a mistake on a couple rows back; dropped both stitches off the needle after the k2tog instead of one, creating a hole. I am an experienced knitter, but can’t seem to figure out how to “fix” it without unknitting back to that point. Is that possible?
Hi Deborah.
Thanks for writing in.
Sadly, I do not have a solution for you. I think I would either use a threaded tapestry needle to try and sew a length of yarn where one should be or I would rip back to the mistake. I bet it is possible to fix, but I’m not sure how you drop stitches down several rows in this fabric, plus I fear that even if I did, it might be impossible to explain with words here in this comment box.
I’m so sorry to not be of more assistance. Please do write back in if you have any questions or if you find a solution!! Thanks. -Laura
Hi Laura,
I an idiot when it comes to gauging so I would appreciate it very much if you could advise me on the number of stitches I should cast on for the cowl to be wrap around just twice?
I’m attempting the pattern with US#9 needles and 8ply yarn.
Thank you!
Justine
Hi Justine.
I’d love to help you figure this out, but I’m going to need a bit more information.
If you can give me your gauge with the yarn you’re using on your chosen needles… then I can take that number of stitches to the inch and multiply it by 58 inches (I find 58 to 60 inches a good circumference for a double wrapping cowl). The resulting number will be your cast on number!
I’m sorry I can’t be more specific, but since I used a very very thin yarn on a very very fat needle and you’re planning to use a dk/light worsted/8ply yarn on an only slightly larger than recommended needle… there are too many changing variables for me to calculate a cast on. It would be a totally wild guess and I don’t want to lead you astray!
One quick note… the stitch is incredibly dense. If you want to use a 8ply yarn… I would recommend going up to at least a size US 11 or US 13 or something. I used an 11 with a light fingering weight. The stitch may be too dense to work on a US 9 with an 8ply.
Please write me back though and I can help you figure this out
Laura
Hi Laura,
As you mentioned, I tried making a swatch with the US 9 and it turned out incredibly dense. I switch to the next pair I have which was US 15.
The gauge was 25 stitches = 4.5 inches in stitch pattern (blocked)
Is it because I’m using US 15 with an 8 ply, the swatch did not turn out as dainty looking as yours?
Please do advise.
Hi Justine.
Yes! The thicker the yarn the larger the needle you’ll need to accomplish that airy feel. The daintiness definitely comes for the thin yarn we chose to use.
If you wanted to make a cowl with the gauge of 25 stitches to 4.5 inches, I would cast on about 328 stitches. Here is how I got that…
25 / 4.5 = 5.5
5.5 * 59 inches = 327.7
And then I rounded up.
Hope this helps!
Let us know if you have any questions.
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for the advise!
Sadly my brother who I was planning to make the cowl for prefer a stockinette stitch cowl.
For US 9 with 8ply yarn, the gauge was 20 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Which would be 300 stitches in total?
Would the result be long enough?
And would it too heavy, for example the front would be so heavy and kept pulling the cowl down?
As I made a scarf before, using the same needles and yarn with a similar stitch, The result was that the two ends was too heavy and was not able to be wrap round twice properly.
Hi Justine.
300 stitches should be perfect! At 5 stitches per inch, you’d end up with a cowl measuring 60 inches in circumference. If you’re worried about it being too heavy, you could make it 2 inches shorter, then it would be more snug and have less opportunity to drape. Also, the width will affect the drape. If it is very narrow it will fall more like a necklace (imagine a 60-inch strand of yarn or an icord). Conversely, if it is extremely wide, it’ll be more like a neck brace. I would suggest checking out all of our cowls to see what dimensions suit the style you’re going for. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/knit/projects-knit/accessories-projects-knit/cowls-scarves-shawls-wraps-projects-knit/
Please let u know if you have any questions!
Laura.
Hello! I’m new to knitting, and I really love your site. I was wondering if this pattern can be worked in an aran/worsted weight yarn? And would you be able to tell me if this changes the needle size (in order to keep the springiness)? Thank you so much!
Hi Lianne.
It can!
The stitch is creates a pretty dense fabric, so I would recommend going up quite a few needle sizes from what the manufacturer suggests.
For my Crosshatch Cowl, I used a US 11 with a fingering weight yarn, but I was also aiming for a very airy and lightweight look and feel. With a Worsted/Aran weight yarn, you’ll probably want to try a US 15 or US 17 to get some nice drape to your fabric.
Thanks for writing in! Let us know how it goes and what needle you decide on!
Laura
I was thinking of trying this cowl with some worsted weight yarn and I got size 17 needles, I was just wondering if I would change the number of stitches I would need to cast on.
Thank you for your beautiful patterns.
Hi Christine.
Yes! Definitely change the cast on number. I recommend you make a swatch to find out the gauge of the worsted weight yarn on side US 17 needles in this stitch. Then you can take the number of stitches per inch and multiply it by your desired circumference. For instance, if you wanted a 60-inch cowl and you were getting 4 stitches to the inch, you would take 60 x 4 and cast on 240 stitches.
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Would it be all right to knit the first row before joining in the round so I can be sure I don’t twist it? Or to do the pattern straight for the first row before joining.? I have cast on twice now and I don’t want to do it again
Hi Carolyn.
Great question. It’s definitely a lot of stitches to keep from twisting before you join. I think working a row flat before joining in the round is a fantastic idea. Since that first row will be a wrong side row, use the same technique as described in the pattern, but purlwise, so p2tog rather than k2tog.
Let us know how it goes! And let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for writing in!
Laura
Hello! I just found your fantastic webside and fell in love with this cowl.
However I am a little bit unsure. I have a gorgeous yarn, but it is for 3-3.5 (mm)needles and 150m/50g
What needle size would you recommend? Still a US#11? Or do you think that the yarn is too thick?
Thank you very much!
Hello Fabienne,
The yarn we used for this cowl is intended for anywhere from a 2mm-4mm needle size. Since the stitch pattern is so dense, we compensated for that by using the much larger needle size of a US#11 or an 8mm needle.
If your yarn recommends using a 3-3.5 mm needle, then it should work, but may be slightly thicker than the yarn we used in the sample. Its always best to check your gauge, you might even want to go up to a US#13 / 9mm just to make sure its not too tight!
Best of luck! -Alyson
Thank you very much for this lovely site with so many beautiful handcrafts. A real treasure trove!
I wat to make some wristlets and was thinking to use this crosshatch stitch. Can you recommend it? Is it a little bit elastic?
Thank you ver much for your help
Yasmen
Hi Yasmen.
Thanks for writing in and for the kind words about this site! I’m glad you found us!
I’m not sure this stitch is going to be great for wristlets. It does have the appearance of having a great deal of elasticity, but it’s actually a very dense stitch. I would try a 1 x 1 rib and maybe pull two strands of very thin merino yarn together. I love making ribbed hats with two strands of Line Weight because of the extra elasticity I get.
Thanks again for writing in!
Laura
Hi!
Thank you for this lovely patterns.
I wonder if I can use my For Better or Worsted or Cloud skeins for this project. Will it be too crispy with this yarns? If it would work with either one what would be a better (closer?) feel to the light weight? I haven’t tried Light Weight yet.
Thank you!
Hello Alison!
Anzula Cloud is a hair thinner than Purl Soho Line Weight, but it is much more similar than the For Better or Worsted. Cloud wouldn’t be crispy, it would be light and fluffy! Give it a shot and make sure to check your gauge in case it turns out slightly different.
Enjoy the pattern! -Alyson
In knitting this pattern, would using an Addi turbo “rocket” circular needle work better, or do you suggest a regular Addi turbo circular needle?
Hello Sharon!
The only difference between the rockets and the turbos is that the rockets have extra sharp tips. I love using the sharper tips and think it would be awesome for this fine gauge of yarn.
Happy knitting! -Alyson
Hi Alyson,
I’m making my cowl with Line Weight and the knit fabric is SO SOFT and puffy. Really perfect. My only concern is that I cast on too tightly. I’m about two inches knit length and my edge is curling a lot. I also found the stitches were really tight when knitting the first row even though I cast on long tail method with (I thought) normal tension. After the first row everything loosened up and it was easy to knit, but now I’m wondering if I should unravel and cast on more loosely. What do you suggest?
Thanks!
Hi Sharon.
Laura here. Alyson is away on vacation, but I designed this piece and would love to answer your question for you. Regarding the edges… this fabric is going to curl some. Even after blocking, the edge will want to roll just a bit. The curling you’re experiencing might be due in part though to your tight cast on.
I cast on with normal to slightly loose tension for this project. The stitch is very dense and even on such large needles, that first row can be a bit uncomfortable to work. If you don’t mind starting over, I think you may be happy to do the cast on over and more loosely.
I do hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Laura
I am like many of the commenters. Loved the look, but was confused. Especially if I dropped a stitch and needed to pick it up. I decided to try this stitch in a short version and see how I did. I watched the stitches as I knit and finally figured what I should do if a mistake happens. I then cast on (using the knit co) and did it using my circular needles doubled. This edge is very nice and even and gave me room to maneuver. I, however do have a mistake. I was so pleased with myself on learning the pattern that when I joined in the round I kept on knitting – not the purl you have. Is this going to impact this scarf? I adore the texture of this scarf and the look.
Thanks so much.
Judi
Hi Judi.
Thanks for writing in. I’m not sure I entirely understand your question. Which purl are you referring to? Also, are you making a scarf or a cowl? The pattern here is for a cowl. You mention connecting in the round, so I’m guess a cowl, but then you mentioned if not working the purl is going to impact the scarf. I just want to make sure I understand what you’re working on and your question before answering so I don’t spread any misinformation!
Please write us back! I’d love to help you however I can.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura