Near + Dear Cowl
In its classic simplicity, the Near + Dear Cowl sets the scene for our new incredibly soft, totally gorgeous, 100% cashmere Nigh to take center stage!
Nigh’s exquisite fiber comes from Mongolia, where much of the world’s highest grade of cashmere is produced. With its cold, harsh winters, this region compels its resident goats to grow the very soft, downy undercoats that are the amazing source for cashmere!
We want each moment you spend with this yarn to be special, so once Nigh is made, we give it an extra wash (actually several!) to make sure it’s soft-as-can-be from the first time you touch it.
The simple shape and stitches of the Near + Dear Cowl highlight the over-the-top beauty of Nigh. With four even plies, the yarn’s structure, plus its distinctive cashmere halo, mean that it looks amazing in this ribbed design, knitting into an even fabric with a subtle depth and gentle glow.
Nigh is available in a palette of 21 colors, some solid, some heathered, all gorgeous.
Dip into the cool waters, choosing from this collection of blues and neutrals, or explore Nigh’s warmer side with colors like Quince Blossom, French Prune, or Golden Ochre.
Whichever color you choose, we are so excited to get this yarn into your hands… We hope you enjoy every stitch!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoNearAndDearCowl, and #PurlSohoNigh. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Nigh, 100% cashmere. Each skein is 199 yards/ 55 grams; approximately 199 total yards required. We used Heirloom White, Nickel Gray, Raindrop Blue, Morning Sky, and Harbor Blue.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A stitch marker
GAUGE
28 stitches and 37 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern
NOTE: We used almost the entire skein for this cowl. To avoid running out of yarn, be sparing with your tails and check your gauge. Be sure to block your swatch, too… After all, cashmere does tend to relax!
SIZE
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 18 inches circumference x 9½ inches tall
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern is worked over a multiple of 6 stitches.
PATTERN
Cast on 126 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place stitch marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K5, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 9½ inches from cast-on edge.
Bind off in pattern.
Weave in the ends and gently wet block.
How many stitches are cast on?
Hi Marilyn,
For this pattern, you cast on 126 stitches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Simply beautiful, yarn and pattern, cant wait to make one. Thank you Purl Soho!
I wonder will this work well in Angora Merino (80% extrafine Merino wool 20% Angora.
Hi Thadis,
Thanks for reaching out. This cowl would be lovely in a merino/Angora blend! I’d just recommend making sure that the yarn you’re considering is the correct weight. We designed this cowl for a DK weight yarn, so it will definitely work for the pattern as written if your yarn is DK as well!
And as always, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge! If you would like to learn more about this, we have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Can I purchase the pattern only?
Hi Linda,
We’re offering this pattern for free, and you can find it in this post!
All the best,
Lili
Will this work with regular worsted or would the stitches be too tight?
Thank you for these simple but beautiful patterns!
Hi Shelley,
You can absolutely use a worsted weight yarn for this pattern, you would just need to adjust the number of stitches you cast on so that it comes to the correct size! To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the circumference (18 inches) and cast on the nearest multiple of 6. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Hello
I would like to knit the near and dear cowl with
the cashmere merino bloom
just confirming this is possible
also which hat would go well with this
thanks
Hi Blanche,
Cashmere Merino Bloom would be a great choice for this pattern, since it’s a DK weight yarn just like Nigh! As always though, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge! If you would like to learn more about this, we have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge.
As for a hat, I’d recommend either the Wide Ribbed Hat, the Lovely Ribbed Hat, or the Classic Ribbed Hat. All of these would match the ribbing as a design feature!
All the best,
Lili
Hi lili
You mentioned using the wide ribbed hat Jake created. I knit that hat and loved it. I’m knitting this cowl in Night color Morning Sky. The wide ribbed hat uses size 7 needles 16 inches. The night uses size 4. How would I use the Night for hat?
Hi Cheryl,
In order to use Nigh for the Wide Ribbed Hat, you will need to adjust your stitch count, since Nigh is a much lighter weight yarn than the original yarn that hat was designed in. To figure out your cast-on number with Nigh, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the finished circumference of the size you’re planning on making and cast on the nearest multiple of 4. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
What about using a provisional cast on, doubling the length and Kitchener stitch bind off for a tube-like cowl. Do you think it’ll keep its height or just fall flat around the neck with this modification? What would you suggest?
Hi Rebecca,
That’s a great idea! I think having the double layer of knit fabric will actually make the cowl sturdier and stand even straighter up around the neck. Let us know how it turns out if you try this!
All the best,
Lili
This pattern looks lovely. I have saved up a stash of Purl Soho’s cashmere merino bloom, Pure Camel and Posy. Which of those would
Be the best substitute for Nigh in this pattern? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for reaching out! Both of those yarns are thinner than Nigh, but the great thing about this cowl is that it can be adapted to any yarn weight. All you’d need to do is modify the number of stitches you cast on at the beginning to make sure the cowl comes out to the correct size.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern (if this is daunting, we have a wonderful tutorial called All About Gauge). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest multiple of 6 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
How many inches does the cowl stretch to? Does one size fit all?
Hi Ana,
Thanks for reaching out! I’d say that this cowl can stretch up to about 24 inches, in order to fit over most heads. It should fit most people, but if you want to change the sizing, then you can adjust the stitch count. Just multiply your desired circumference by the number of stitches per inch (7 stitches) and then cast on the nearest multiple of 6 stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Could you tell me how to print the pattern, just the pattern, without all the extra info and comment section? I would like to have it printed by the time my yarn arrives this week. Thank you.
Hi Wil,
Thanks for reaching out! If you’re on your computer, you’ll find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find the “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Click on this button, and a window will pop up where you can delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print. When you hover over any image or a text block, it will be highlighted in yellow and a “trash” icon will appear. Just click on this icon to delete anything that’s not necessary to the pattern! For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. Then, just click on the “Print” button in the upper left-hand corner of the pop-up window!
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I have been knitting & crocheting since I was 14, and I have my 80th bday coming up. Yet, THIS IS THE BEST pattern EVER! My friend and I and a grnd-ddaughter and daughter-in-law have just begun wearing these. (We were then in the 1950’s !) This is the perfect pattern. I’ll make many of them. Thank you SO MUCH !!
Am i crazy?- Just knit two swatches and the stitches are not small enough with US 4 or US 3 needles. Does going down to a US 2 needle. I think after blocking the swatches they grew a little
Hi Katie,
Thanks for reaching out. I think swatching with size US 2 needles is the best option at this point! Blocking can definitely affect the gauge, so I’m glad to hear that you did that before measuring.
Alternatively, if you’re happy with the texture and density of the knit fabric with one of the larger needle sizes, you can totally knit the cowl at that larger gauge! All you’d need to do is adjust the stitch count so that the cowl comes to the correct dimensions. To figure out your cast-on number, just multiply the number of stitches you are getting per inch by the circumference of the cowl (18 inches) and cast on the nearest multiple of 6. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Hi! I am lazy. 😉 I don’t want to swatch. (I’ll swatch for a sweater but not much else.) But I made 1 cowl in a size 4 and want to experiment with a 2nd cowl on size 5 needles. Is there an approximate formula to use for the # of stitches to cast on when moving between different needle sizes?
Thank you!
P.S. This Nigh yarn is amazing!! So soft and cozy. Love knitting with it.
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m afraid that the only way to adjust the needle size/cast-on would be to make a gauge swatch. That’s because different needles will create a different gauge, and every knitter has a slightly different natural tension, resulting in a unique gauge. Here’s how to adjust your cast-on for a different size needle:
To figure out your new cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern with your new needles. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest multiple of 6. Then you can follow the pattern as written and end up with the perfectly sized cowl!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili