We may enjoy knits that are long, meandering walks, but every now and then we find ourselves in a sprint to the finish line!

Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho

If you’re in a too-many-gifts-not-enough-time situation, our Right Before Christmas Cowl is one heck of a sprinter… And a wonderful gift, too!

Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho

In classic double seed stitch, this cowl looks remarkably woven, like a willow basket but a whole lot softer! A couple of knit-stitch columns in the back allow for neat decreases and a cozy fit.

Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho

The softness, the beauty, and the speed are owing to our gorgeous Gentle Giant! One hundred percent merino wool, this gently spun single-ply yarn knits up in a snap on US 19 needles. You just need two skeins and hardly any time at all!

Right Before Christmas 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, #PurlSohoRightBeforeChristmasCowl, and #PurlSohoGentleGiant. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho
  • 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Gentle Giant, 100% merino wool. Each skein is approximately 48 yards/125 grams; approximately 79 yards required. We used the color Periwinkle Blue.
  • US 19 (15/16 mm), 24-inch circular needles
  • A stitch marker

Gauge

5¼ stitches and 8¾ rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern

7 stitches and 9 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Size

  • Finished Circumference At Bottom: 30½ inches
  • Finished Circumference At Top: 26 inches
  • Finished Height: 10 inches

Notes

Stitch Multiple

This pattern works over an even number of stitches.

Pattern

Cast on 40 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

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

Set-Up Round: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.

Rounds 1 and 2: K2, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Rounds 3 and 4: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.

Round 5: K2, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 6 (Decrease Round): Slip slip knit (ssk), *p1, k1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together (k2tog). [2 stitches decreased]

Repeat Rounds 1-6 two more times. [34 stitches remaining]

Next Round: K2, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Bind-Off Round: K2, pass first stitch over, *p1, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over, repeat from * to end of round.  Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch.

Weave in ends and steam block.

Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho
Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho
Right Before Christmas Cowl | Purl Soho