Giverny Cowl in New Colors
Dive into gorgeous hand-dyed color with our new Lovebird semi-solids and our fast and simple Giverny Cowl. With all the resplendent beauty you expect from Lovebird, these tone-on-tone colors give you 23 new ways to love Lovebird!
Made in partnership with the legendary Manos Del Uruguay, each skein of Lovebird is full of creative energy. One hundred percent superwash merino, Lovebird is handspun by women’s cooperatives in Uruguay, twisting two incredibly soft, roving-like plies into a plump chunky weight yarn.
But most of all, Lovebird is remarkable for its spectacular and uplifting hand-dyed color. Lovebird’s original palette is a kaleidoscope of multi-colors, and now, Manos del Uruguay’s local artisans have created 23 new semi-solid kettle-dyed hues! Each one is a glorious wash of color that seems to move between shadows and light. It reads as a single color but with immense depth and complexity.
Manos Del Uruguay is a non-profit member of the World Fair Trade organization. They are dedicated to improving the lives of women in rural Uruguay and caring for the crafts and traditions of their land. Their cooperatives are owned by the local artisans who harness the rainbow in each and every skein!
The simple 1×3 rib stitch pattern of the Giverny Cowl makes it an ideal pattern for beginners, and the beautiful variation in each skein of Lovebird will keep any knitter enthralled! Plus, at under three stitches per inch, you’ll be binding off in a flash… Ready to gift or wear your new cozy cowl!
Multi-color or semi-solid, you’ll need just three skeins of Lovebird to share the exuberant joy of Lovebird with someone you love!
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!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoGivernyCowl, and #PurlSohoLovebird. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2-3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Lovebird, 100% superwash merino wool. Each skein is approximately 75-85 yards/ 100-110 grams; approximately 170-192 yards required. We used the colors Stratus, Princess Pink, Blackberry, and Candy Shop.
- US 10½ (6.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- 2 different stitch markers
NOTE: Because this yarn is hand spun in small batches, yardages may vary between skeins. Our yardage requirements err on the side of caution, so you may not require a third skein. You can either get 2 and be okay with the possibility of a slightly shorter cowl, or pick up 3 to be sure you have enough for the full height. If you don’t end up needing it, you can return unwound yarn for a refund within 30 days of purchase, or within 6 months for store credit. Our Return Policy has all the details!
GAUGE
11 stitches and 15 rounds = 4 inches in 3 x 1 rib
10½ stitches and 18 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZE
Finished Circumference At Base Of Cowl: 23¼ inches
Finished Circumference At Top Of Cowl: 21¾ inches
Finished Height: Approximately 11 inches
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches.
PATTERN
Cast on 64 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place end-of-round marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p3, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 7 inches from cast-on edge.
Decrease Round: *K1, p1, purl 2 together (p2tog), k1, p3, k1, p2tog through the back loop, p1, [k1, p3] 5 times,** place side marker, repeat from * to **. [60 stitches remain]
Next Round: [K1, p2, k1, p3, k1, p2, *k1, p3, repeat from * to next marker] 2 times.
Repeat last round until piece measures 11 inches from cast-on edge.
Bind off in stitch pattern.
Weave in ends and gently wet block.
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!
I’m going to buy the stratus color yarn to make the Giverny cowl. Which of these would be the best to purchase to make the Pom?
Anzula For Better or Worsted, Heidi
For Better or Worsted
Heidi
$37.00
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Purl Soho Fiddlehead, Jet Stream 3727
Fiddlehead
Jet Stream
$22.00
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Purl Soho Partridge, Twilight Blue 7890
Partridge
Twilight Blue
$22.00
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#Purl Soho, Gentle Giant Heather, Periwinkle Blue 5825GG
Gentle Giant
Periwinkle Blue, Heather
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! We had our fulfillment team take a look at all these colors next to Lovebird in Stratus, and they let me know that For Better Or Worsted in Heidi is the best color match. Happy knitting!
All the best,
Lili
I made this pattern with Lovebird and it came out wonderfully!
I started to make it in the gorgeous alpaca Fiddlehead. I’ve done about 3 rows and I think I made a mistake. Can you suggest another simple cowl pattern better for Fiddlehead?
Hi Alicia,
Thank you for writing in! We are so happy to hear you have made the Giverny Cowl! Our Coziest Cowl is actually knit in Fiddlehead and would be a wonderful option for this yarn. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Why wouldn’t you just k3p1 and then flip it inside out? Seems easier and faster to do more knit than purl stitches and knit decreases.
Hi Phaedra,
Thank you for writing in! That’s definitely an option! Occasionally designers will choose to have purls be the main basis of their fabric as it can allow the stitches to lay just the slightest bit differently than if you were to just knit them leading to a more sturdy fabric in larger sections. I hope this helps explain why choices like this can sometimes be made but if you have any other questions, we would be happy to answer them!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I just received the yarn and needle that ordered along with it. The pattern instructions call for US 10.5 16” circular needles. The 16” length looks way too short to knit this size cowl. Hopefully you could help. Thank you.
Laura Donohue
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in! We used 16-inch needles to knit up our samples of this cowl, and so that the stitches aren’t too stretched out around the cord. The finished circumference at the top of the cowl is 21 3/4 inches, so you could try 20-inch needles if you don’t enjoy knitting this project on the 16-inch needles!
All the best,
Lili
LOVE LOVE LOVE your wools and patterns. And you are always so responsive to questions. Could I make this a scarf instead of the cowl? Looking at something relatively narrow maybe 8 – 10 inches wide and 50 inches long. I guess I just need to know how many to cast on? Maybe half of what you cast on for cowl – 32? Thank you.
Hi Belinda,
Thank you for writing in! We are so happy to hear you have enjoyed your experience with Purl Soho! To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch. You will then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that number by the desired width of your scarf and that will give you your cast on number. One thing to keep in mind is that this pattern is worked over a multiple of 4. In this case, 32 works perfectly! I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
Thank you so much Gavriella!!
Hi,
Could I knit this cowl pattern in bulky yarn instead of super bulky? If so, what adjustments would I have to make on needle size?
Thank you!
Dale Bliss
Hi Dale,
You could definitely use a different weight of yarn for this project! To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch. You will then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that number by the desired circumference of your cowl and that will give you your cast on number. One thing to keep in mind is that this pattern is worked over a multiple of 4. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
Thank you very much Gavriella!
I will give that a try! ♥️