Soft + Cushy Cowl
When a sharp wind is barreling down Broadway (or Main Street), you will feel a wave of gratitude that you had the foresight to make yourself a Soft + Cushy Cowl in defense of that icy air!
Its distinctive rib is called a Half Cardigan Stitch. A rhythm of deep valleys and high peaks gets its extremes from “knitting into the row below,” a very simple technique known for creating fabrics that are lofty and deep, soft and cushy!
And since none of this would matter if you didn’t also use the coziest yarn available, we knit up our Soft + Cushy Cowl in our absolutely snuggly Season Alpaca. One hundred percent baby alpaca, we just juiced up our Season Alpaca palette with fifteen new colors, ranging from rich stunners like this Purple Foxglove to softer fare, like Mountain Rose and Winter Sage.
Whatever beauty you choose, we promise you’ll be thanking yourself when Old Man Winter comes to town!
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!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSoftAndCushyCowl, and #PurlSohoSeasonAlpaca. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% super baby alpaca yarn. Each skein of this sport weight yarn is 218 yards; approximately 872 yards required. We used Purple Foxglove.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 32- or 40-inch circular needles
Gauge
25 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
- Finished Circumference: 54 inches
- Finished Height: Approximately 12 inches (including 1½ inches of growth from blocking)
NOTE: This Cowl is designed to wrap around your neck twice.
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This stitch pattern works over an even multiple of stitches.
Construction
You will knit this cowl in the round with the “wrong side” facing you, which is the less textural side of the stitch pattern. However, both sides of the fabric are beautiful, so feel free to wear your cowl any way you choose!
Knit One Below
k1b [knit one below]: Insert the tip of the right needle into the stitch below the next stitch, knit normally (wrapping the yarn around the needle and pulling it back through the stitch below) and let the stitch above fall from the left needle.
To see a “k1b” in action, check out our Working Into The Stitch Below video tutorial.
Pattern
Using a Basic Long Tail Cast On, cast on 338 stitches. Do not join to work in the round.
Set-Up Row: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.
Keeping the same side facing you, place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1b (see Notes), p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures approximately 10¼ inches from cast-on edge, or until you’ve used all 4 skeins of yarn, leaving approximately 30 yards to bind off. End with Round 2.
Bind off in stitch pattern. Here’s how…
Bind Off Round: K1, *p1, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over, repeat from * to last stitch, p1, pass first stitch over.
Weave in ends to same side that has been facing you. Turn piece inside out and block as desired.
LEARN ABOUT SEASON ALPACA + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Season Alpaca always brings deep beauty to your hand-knits. Made of 100% super baby alpaca, the most special grade of Peruvian alpaca there is, this sport-weight yarn is incredibly soft, and with its long fibers and many fine plies, it also creates smooth stockinette and lovely stitch definition. Prepare to knit with your new favorite alpaca yarn!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Season Alpaca knitting patterns and cast on!
More Sport-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of sport-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop alpaca yarn
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!
You people never fail to remind me, I look forward to everything, tks
Beautiful! Is the finished cowl made to wear as is or looped over your head twice?
Hello Val,
Thank you for reaching out! You can wear this cowl as a draped loop or a snug double wrap. This cowl is nice and stretchy so you can wear it either way.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
What is the purpose of working a row before joining in the round?
Hello Allie,
Thank you for reaching out! This foundation row will mean that you can easily knit into the row below and will set you up to work on the correct side.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
The colour looks stunning on the model. Really suits her.
Is it easier to join in the round without twisting if you knit a row first?
Hi Berny,
Great question! Yes, especially with this many stitches, it is much easier to avoid twisting the cast-on if you start with one row worked flat!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi!
Could I make this cowl using Cashmere Tend? Same number of stitches – pattern the same?
Brenda?
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for reaching out! Cashmere Tend is much thicker than Season Alpaca so you wouldn’t be able to use this pattern without adjustments. If you want to try using Tend I would recommend going up in needle size and down in cast on. You will want to knit up a gauge swatch with your desired needle size to figure out how many stitches per in you are getting. Once you know how many stitches per inch you are getting you can multiply this by the circumference of your cowl to get your cast on number.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi, this stitch looks very similar to the fisherman’s rib or brioche stitch. The only difference I see is the second round is knit and purl only as opposed to P1below. Is that what creates the deep valleys and higher peaks?
Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks for writing in! This stitch does have quite a bit in common with Fisherman’s Rib, but the variations result in a fabric that is different on the wrong side and the right side, and has a slightly different texture on the stockinette ridges on the right side. It would be quite interesting to swatch both this stitch and a regular Fisherman’s Rib side by side to compare them – the differences are subtle but quite beautiful!
Best,
Julianna
Hi,
Can you please recommend the best way to join this project in the round since you have the setup row first?
Thanks.
Hi Jane,
Thanks for reaching out! After completing the set-up round, you can join in the round by simply knitting into the first stitch of the set-up row when beginning Round 1. This may leave a slight gap or jog in the cast on, but you can easily disguise it when you weave in your ends!
Best,
Julianna
Can I use malabrigoe worsted yarn
Hi Fifi,
Thanks for reaching out. This pattern was designed for sportweight yarn, which is a lot thinner than worsted weight! But you can absolutely adjust the number of stitches you cast on in order to use a thicker yarn.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern (if this is daunting, we have a wonderful tutorial called All About Gauge). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the circumference (54 inches) and cast on the nearest even number. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
When starting row 2 of cushy cowl is the first K stitch into what was a P Or am I off a stitch. Thank you
Karol
Hi Karol,
Thanks for reaching out! It does sound like you are off by a stitch, or your marker may have slipped out of place. Throughout this cowl, your knits and purls should stack on every row.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi,
If I wanted to use a DK yarn would I still be able to knit as per the pattern or would you recommend that I change needle sizes? Thank you!
Hi Mya,
Thanks for reaching out! Some sport and DK weight yarns can be quite similar, so it’s hard to say! Before starting the whole cowl, I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern using your yarn on a US 4 to see if you are happy with how the knitted fabric turns out. If it is stiff or too dense, you could move up to a US 5 or 6 to create a drapier fabric.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Do you have a non-wool yarn that you’d recommend for this pattern, such as Burnish?
Thanks!
Hi Jen,
Thanks for reaching out! Burnish would be an excellent option for this cowl, as would Cotton Pure! Both yarns are sport weight yarns so they should work out well, but I would still recommend knitting a gauge swatch to be on the safe side.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Thanks Julianna!
Any tips for picking up the k1b stitch that I dropped down a few rows. ☹️That alpaca can be slippery.
Hello Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! Picking up a dropped k1b is something that I have not had much success with. I would recommend carefully un-knitting until you get to your dropped stitch. You could also loop some scrap yarn through your dropped stitch so that it doesn’t go down any farther.
I hope this helpful and good luck!
Best,
Marilla
Hi — I want to make this gorgeous cowl…one question: could it be worn as a hood? Is there a different pattern I should be looking for? Love everything you do,
d
Hi Deborah,
Great question! This cowl is quite long and wide, and the stitch has a ton of plush stretch and drape, so I do think you could pull the second loop up over your head if you wish! I’m afraid we don’t have any cowl patterns that include a shaped hood, but if you are just looking for something to pull up and keep your ears and top of your head warm, this could work!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thanks so much, Julianna!
Hearts to Purl Soho.
xx
Can I use Mulberry Merino for this pattern? I bought two skeins to do a Mistake-Rib Cowl (done twice in Cashmere Tend, no problem) but I’m having awful trouble with the same pattern in the Mulberry. And now I am very intrigued with Soft & Cushy!
Hi Shelly,
Thanks for reaching out! I am sorry to hear that the pattern is not working well for you. You could certainly give this pattern a go as Mulberry Merino would well for the gauge of this pattern. Please know that we did use 872 yards of yarn for this lovely cowl and with just 2 skeins of Mulberry Merino, you will have about half of the yardage that we used. To this end, you could cut down the number of stitches that you cast on to 168 to get a finished circumference of around 27 inches. This would give you a loose single wrap cowl!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I make a lot of baby clothing and have never had to cast on 338 stitches. What is the best method so that you don’t have to restart multiple times? Thank you.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for reaching out! It can be quite tricky to estimate how much yarn you need to work a Long Tail Cast On for this many stitches! One option would be to use two separate balls of yarn to cast on, one for each tail, and then cut off one ball of yarn when you are ready to start knitting. You could also use a Cable Cast On instead, which does not require a long tail.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I am having a difficult time with this pattern. Should I perhaps do a few set up rows before beginning the pattern? I am about to rip out. Thank you.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m sorry that you are having some difficulties with this stitch pattern! If it makes it easier, you certainly may work a few rows of stockinette stitch before starting the stitch pattern. However, if you can make it through a few rows, this cowl will get much easier once you can see the stitch pattern emerging, so I hope you stick with it!
Best,
Julianna
I just finished this lovely cowl in Season Alpaca – Mountain Rose. I found that in order to keep in the stitch pattern the Bind Off Round should be: K1b, *p1 pass first stitch over, k1b, pass first stitch over, repeat from * to last stitch, p1, pass first stitch over.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in! We bound off our cowl in k1 p1 ribbing, but your method will work just as well! Thank you for sharing this great tip for an even more seamless bind off!
Best,
Julianna
I’ve been trying to do an Italian Cast-on (a little over 100). Will the long tail cast on be better?
Carol
Hi Carol
Thanks for reaching out! Either cast on would work for this project, but the long tail cast on might be a little easier. For this many stitches a great option would be to use two separate balls of yarn to cast on, one for each tail, and then cut off one ball of yarn when you are ready to start knitting. I hope this helps!
Happy Knitting
Jessica
I’m starting the Cushy Cowl with 338 stitches. Does this make a difference?
Carol
Using 2 balls is one of the best ways to make sure you don’t run out of stitches with a large number to cast on, so it won’t make a difference at all!
Best
Jessica
Hi! How could I adjust this pattern to make it as a scarf?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! To work this stitch pattern flat, you will need to cast on an odd number of stitches, and repeat the following two rows:
Row 1: *K1, p1,* repeat to last stitch, k1
Row 2: K1, *k1b (see Notes), p1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k1b, k1
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Is there anyway to visually discern which row I’m currently on? I’m just a few rows in and so far I can’t see a quick way to tell which row I’m on.
Thank you!
Hi Anne,
Thanks for reaching out! I totally understand what you mean, it can be tricky to decipher what row you are on. In our Working into the Stitch Below tutorial you can kind of visually see how we discern each row. I also recommend using a removable stitch marker like COCOKNITS Colored Opening Stitch Markers, and moving it up each row as you work to help you keep track of which row you are on!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I have a query – I made this cowl last year, it is beautiful and warm, but it is super-stretchy – in fact the circumference has stretched to almost 100″ over time. I want to make it again for my partner, who would like it be shorter to begin with than the 55″. I knit with size 4 needles before and it seemed to be in gauge when first knitted/blocked. I’m a pretty tight knitter (continental).
Do you have any suggestions for this? Should I use a smaller needle? Is this expected with 100% Alpaca?
Hi Naomi,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, that is completely due to the nature of 100% alpaca, it will definitely stretch and grow overtime but re-blocking the cowl as needed can help maintain the size! Changing the needle size or cast on # wont change the fact that it will grow, of course casting on less stitches will result in a smaller circumference but wont change the stretching. If you want to avoid that all together I would recommend switching yarns to another fiber like out Mulberry Merino!
I hope this helps!
Gianna
HELP!
About halfway through my row, I discovered that it should have been a straight — no K1b — row. I’m trying to unknit, but I’m having a very difficult time unknitting the K1b stitches. I looked on the internet and only found 1 video which is not well done. Do you have any suggestions on where to go for help?
Thank you! Beaten by one below
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help, unfortunately we don’t have a tutorial on fixing mistakes with the K1B stitch I found a great video on youtube that may be helpful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrd8MtohamI&nohtml5=False
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi Gianna,
That video didn’t really answer it for me. It’s not that I dropped the stitches, I had to unknit a K1b. Instead of knitting the row with just a plain knit stitch, I just keep knitting a K1b. So I had 2 K1b’s on top of each other. Well, I finally figured it out! Since I’m probably not the only one that this will happen to, and since there really isn’t a good video out there, I wrote down my directions. Please feel free to use them if you like.
How to UNKNIT a K1b stitch that is over another K1b. (In other words, you, like me, made the stupid mistake of forgetting to change back to a plain knit row and now have two K1b’s on top of each other. Ugh!)
1. Slide off the K1b stitch.
2. Pull working yarn through.
3. You will see the stitch with 2 ladders (horizontal yarns) behind it.
4. Insert crochet hook through the stitch, then under the lowest ladder, and over the remaining ladder.
5. Hook that remaining ladder and pull it through your stitch.
6. Put stitch back on left-hand needle. Voila!
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for writing ing again! I am sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, I think I misinterpreted your first write in. I am so glad that you figured it out and thank you for sharing your tips, it is very much appreciated!
All the best,
Gianna
I love how soft this stitch is in the cowl! I am enjoying knitting the stitches but am wondering what is the best way to join 2 skeins? Also, what is the best way to weave in the ends so they don’t show? Any suggestions?
Hi Cathi,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying this cowl (it is one of my favorites!) We have a great tutorial for Adding a Ball of Yarn! We also have a great tutorial on Weaving in Your Ends, for this project I would recommend the RIB: WEAVING IN YOUR ENDS ON THE VERTICAL technique!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I have 3 skeins of the peony which I purchased last year & had yet to use it. I’m not savvy at figuring out the math. Would this work with 3 skeins?
I would appreciate your help
thank you.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for your question! I think the Soft + Cushy Cowl would look absolutely stunning in Peony Pink! I’m afraid you would need a fourth skein, though, to complete the cowl in the size that’s listed in the pattern. The pattern calls for about 872 yards of Season Alpaca and since each skein is around 218 yards, you would need 4 full skeins to finish the whole project.
I hope this was helpful! Thank you again for reaching out and have a great day!
All the best,
Cat
Another Purl Soho beauty with an interesting stitch and construction. I would love to make this, but I need a yarn that doesn’t shed. What yarn would your recommend?
Hi Fran,
Thanks for writing in. Wigeon, Good Wool, and Cotton Pure would all be great alternatives to Season Alpaca for this pattern! These three yarns are spun with more plies, so they are more resistant to shedding. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
How would you recommend joining in the round? Would you k1b into the first stitch?
Hi Melissa,
When joining in the round, you can just start knitting Round 1 without turning your work! The first stitch of Round 1 is a k1b, so you would indeed begin with that. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili