Not all mistakes are bad. In fact, some result in fascinating, lofty, and very beautiful stitch patterns! The so-called Mistake Rib is one such mistake, a case of misaligned knits and purls that creates a squishy-soft hand knit like this one, our Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl.

Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

Mistake Rib in one color is lovely, but add another, and you’re in the business off creating a herringbone textile so intricate looking you wouldn’t imagine that it’s a simple matter of knit 2, purl 2 and switching colors each round. Amazing!

Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

And please, let’s make sure the knitting is as enjoyable as the wearing! One of our very favorite yarns, our Season Alpaca is a 100% super baby alpaca treat, ensuring that the time spent is a pleasure, not a chore!

Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl | Purl Soho

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, #PurlSohoTwoColorMistakeRibCowl, and #PurlSohoSeasonAlpaca. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl | Purl Soho
  • Color A: 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% super baby alpaca. Each skein is 218 yards; approximately 431 yards required. We used Stillwater Blue.
  • Color B: 2 skeins of Season Alpaca. Approximately 431 yards required. We used Heirloom White.
  • US 4 (3.5 mm), 40- or 47-inch circular needles
  • A stitch marker

Gauge

Unblocked: 34 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches in mistake rib pattern

Blocked: 31 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in mistake rib pattern

Size

  • Finished Circumference: Approximately 55 inches
  • Finished Height: Approximately 10 inches

Notes

Stitch Multiple

Mistake Rib in the round is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches.

Pattern

With Color A, cast on 424 stitches. We used a Basic Long Tail Cast On.

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

Bottom Edge: One-Color Mistake Rib

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

Round 2: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 two more times.

Body: Two-Color Mistake Rib

NOTE: Join Color B the first time you work Round 2.

Round 1: With Color A, *k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: With Color B, p1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 9½ inches from cast-on edge, ending with Round 2.

Cut Color A.

Top Edge: One-Color Mistake Rib

With Color B, repeat Rounds 1 and 2 of One-Color Mistake Rib pattern three times.

Bind off in stitch pattern.

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

Two-Color Mistake Rib Cowl | Purl Soho