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!

If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!

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

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

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!