When the only constant is change, welcome the New Year with our Shifting Rib Cowl!

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

Knit from bottom up in 2×2 rib, the curious rhythm of this cowl is achieved by a round of simple cables strategically placed at ever-decreasing intervals. In the end, the effect is distinctly botanical, like a stalk of bamboo, columns of climbing vines, or a swath of fluted tree bark… Beautiful!

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

Knit in our classic Mulberry Merino, this merino-mulberry silk blend is soft enough to tickle your chin and warm enough to keep your neck snug. We used Black Green for a deep-in-the-forest vibe, but we’d love to see the Shifting Rib Cowl in sweet Alpine Rose, luminescent Light Cerulean, or any other of Mulberry Merino’s 22 gorgeous colors.

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

Whatever color you pick, you’ll need just two skeins… Looks like 2020 is off to a very good start!

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

Designed for Purl Soho by Nicole Milano.

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

Materials

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho
  • 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino, 80% extra fine merino wool and 20% mulberry silk. Each skein is 247 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 247 yards required. We used the color Black Green. (NOTE: We no longer offer Mulberry Merino, but choose from one of our other sport weight yarns.)
  • US 6 (4 mm), 16- or 20-inch circular needles
  • Stitch marker or scrap yarn
  • Cable stitch holder

Gauge

32 stitches and 34 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern

Size

Finished Circumference: 18 inches

Finished Height: 12 inches

Notes

Stitch Multiple

This stitch pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches.

C4F (Cable 4 Front)

Slip 2 stitches onto cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, p2 from left needle, then k2 from cable stitch holder.

Pattern

Using a Long Tail Cast-On, cast on 144 stitches.

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

Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 4 inches from cast-on edge.

Cable Round 1: *C4F (see Notes), repeat from * to end of the round.

Next Round: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat last round until piece measures 7¼ inches from cast-on edge.

Cable Round 2: P2, *C4F, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, slip next 2 stitches to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, remove marker, slip next 2 stitches to right needle, replace marker.

Next Round: K2 from cable stitch holder, P2, *k2, p2, repeat from *to end of round.

Next Round: *K2, p2, repeat from *to end of round.

Repeat last round until piece measures 9½ inches from cast-on edge.

Repeat Cable Round 1.

Next Round: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat last round until piece measures 11 inches from cast-on edge.

Repeat Cable Round 2.

Next Round: K2 from cable stitch holder, P2, *K2, p2, repeat from *to end of round.

Next Round: *K2, p2, repeat from *to end of round.

Repeat last round until piece measures 12 inches from cast-on edge.

Bind off loosely in 2×2 rib.

Weave in ends and block as desired.

Shifting Rib Cowl | Purl Soho