The winding stitches of our Tendril Cowl twist and turn, like a climbing plant reaching for the sun and warmth. The result it a wonderfully textured fabric that will keep you cozy, even when there’s no sunlight to be found!

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

With three sizes and the option to follow written or charted instructions, the Tendril Cowl pattern is easy to make your own. If its seeming complexity is causing angst, let’s nip that in the bud… It’s all just knits and purls with a little twist!

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

The Tendril Cowl’s magnificent texture is enriched by our brand new Hedgerow. Following the centuries-old fiber traditions of County Donegal where it’s made, Hedgerow includes small bits (or “burrs”) of fiber that polka-dot the yarn, making every stitch a surprise!

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

Hedgerow is 93% merino wool, 3.5% cashmere, and 3.5% mulberry silk, a mix that makes for a softer hand feel than strictly traditional Irish wool, while still celebrating the aesthetic and integrity of Donegal tweeds.  Cast on for some lively colorplay and rugged beauty!

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gaby Bush.

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

Materials

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho
  • 1 (2, 3) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Hedgerow, 93% merino, 3.5% cashmere, and 3.5% mulberry silk. Each skein is approximately 243 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 235 (295, 640) total yards required. We used the color Forest Clover.
  • US 7 (4.5 mm), 16-, 24-, or 32-inch circular needles, depending on size you are making
  • Stitch markers, including one unique
  • A cable stitch holder

GAUGE

20 stitches and 30 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

24 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern

SIZES

Adult Once-Around Small (Adult Once-Around Large, Adult Twice-Around)

  • Finished Height: 11¾ inches high
  • Finished Circumference: 20 (25, 55) inches

Sample: The cowl shown here is the Adult Once-Around Small.

NOTES

STITCH MULTIPLE

This pattern works over a multiple of 30 stitches.

KNIT THROUGH BACK LOOP

Knit all knit stitches through the back loop.

SLIP STITCHES

Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.

CABLES + CROSSES

1/1 LPC + 1/1 RPC (LEFT + RIGHT PURL CROSS)

1/1 LPC (LEFT PURL CROSS): Slip 1 stitch to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, p1 from left needle, then k1 from cable stitch holder.

1/1 RPC (RIGHT PURL CROSS): Slip 1 stitch to cable stitch holder and hold in back of work, k1 from left needle, then p1 from cable stitch holder.

2/1 LPC + 2/1 RPC (2/1 LEFT + RIGHT PURL CROSS)

2/1 LPC (LEFT PURL CROSS): Slip 2 stitches onto cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, k1 from left needle, slip purl stitch from cable stitch holder back to left needle, p1 from left needle, then k1 from cable stitch holder.

2/1 RPC (RIGHT PURL CROSS): Slip 2 stitches onto cable stitch holder and hold in back of work, k1 from left needle, slip purl stitch from cable stitch holder back to left needle, p1 from left needle, then k1 from cable stitch holder.

C2F + C2B (CABLE 2 FRONT + BACK)

C2F (CABLE 2 FRONT)

Slip 1 knit stitch onto cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, k1 from left needle, then k1 from cable stitch holder.

C2B (CABLE 2 BACK)

Slip 1 knit stitch onto cable stitch holder and hold in back of work, k1 from left needle, then k1 from cable stitch holder.

PATTERN

Using a Long Tail Cast On, cast on 120 (150, 330) stitches.

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

Work either from Written Instructions or Chart, both below.

NOTE: You may find it helpful to place stitch markers every 30 stitches to mark the pattern repeats. You will work the stitch pattern 4 (5, 11) times total per round.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: Remember to knit every knit stitch through the back loop (see Notes).

Set-Up Round: *[P1, k1 (see Notes)] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 4 times, p1, 1/1 LPC (see Notes), p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 4 times, p2, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: *P1, 2/1 LPC (see Notes), [p1, k1] 2 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, p1, k1, p1, 2/1 RPC (see Notes), p1, k1, p1, 1/1 RPC (see Notes), p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 5: *[P1, k1] 3 times, p1, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p2, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 6: *[P1, k1] 3 times, p2, C2F (see Notes), p4, C2F, p2, [k1, p1] 4 times, 1/1 LPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 7: *[P1, k1] 3 times, p1, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, [p1, k1] 4 times, p2, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 8: Repeat Round 4.

Round 9: Repeat Round 1.

Round 10: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 4 times, p1, 1/1 LPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 11: Repeat Round 3.

Round 12: *P1, 2/1 LPC, [p1, k1] 2 times, p2, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p2, [k1, p1] 2 times, 2/1 RPC, p1, k1, p1, 1/1 RPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 13: *[P1, k1] 4 times, p3, C2B (see Notes), p3, [k1, p1] 6 times, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 14: *[P1, k1] 4 times, p2, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p2, [k1, p1] 5 times, 1/1 LPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 15: Repeat Round 3.

Round 16: Repeat Round 4.

Round 17: Repeat Round 1.

Round 18: Repeat Round 2.

Round 19: *[P1, k1] 3 times, p1, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p2, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, [p1, k1] 4 times, p2, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 20: *P1, 2/1 LPC, p1, k1, p2, C2F, p4, C2F, p2, k1, p1, 2/1 RPC, p1, k1, p1, 1/1 RPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 21: *[P1, k1] 3 times, p1, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 22: Repeat Round 2.

Round 23: Repeat Round 3.

Round 24: Repeat Round 4.

Round 25: Repeat Round 1.

Round 26: *[P1, k1] 4 times, p2, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p2, [k1, p1] 5 times, 1/1 LPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 27: *[P1, k1] 4 times, p3, C2B, p3, [k1, p1] 5 times, [p1, k1] 2 times, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 28: *P1, 2/1 LPC, [p1, k1] 2 times, p2, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p2, [k1, p1] 2 times, 2/1 RPC, p1, k1, p1, 1/1 RPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1–28 one time, then repeat Rounds 1–23 one more time.

Go on to Finishing section, below.

CHART

NOTE: New to reading charts? Unravel the mysteries with our Reading A Chart Tutorial!

Begin this chart in the bottom right corner. Read all rows right to left, and work your way up the chart to the top line.

Work Set-Up Round, then work Rounds 1–28 two times, then repeat Rounds 1–23 one more time.

NOTE: Remember to knit every knit stitch through the back loop (see Notes).

KEY

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

CHART

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho

(Want to see it bigger? Click here and view the chart as a PDF!)

FINISHING

Next Round: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 4 times, p1, 1/1 RPC, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Next Round: *[P1, k1] 4 times, [p2, k1] 3 times, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Bind off in pattern for Round 1, knitting knit stitches and purling purl stitches.

Weave in ends and wet block to finished dimensions.

Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho
Tendril Cowl | Purl Soho