Milford Cowlby Cathy Mc Fadden

Designed and knit while touring Milford Sound in New

Zealand, one of the wettest places in the world with

almost 7 metres of rain annually. The heavy rainfall

leads to many temporary waterfalls into the valley,

creating a stunning sight. I needed a small snug cowl to

line the neck of my raincoat.

A simple functional cowl to wear under a coat or jacket with a high neck. Perfect for when

you want to make the most of a luxury skein. Add a second colour or beads for interest.

The cowl is knit from the bottom up. Using a stretchy cast on (and bind off) is essential. I

recommend the cable cast on because it’s stretchy and doesn’t waste yarn. I like to Cast all

stitches onto ONE needle, Knit the first row and only then join in the round. It’s harder to

twist your stitches and easier to spot before joining!

Sizing: Small, Medium, Large.

The ’drape’ of the yarn will determine what size is best to knit. For fingering weight yarn

or yarn with a lot of silk or alpaca I suggest the small size for a snug fit or the medium for a

relaxed fit. For lace weight yarns that don’t relax the medium or large sizes work best.

Gauge:

Gauge is not crucial but no more than 22st per 4 inches in stockinette on 4.0mm needles for

the small size (26st per 4 inches for large size) or the cowl won’t fit on. This measurement is

based on the fabric after blocking or after relaxing with wear. Don’t worry if your working

gauge is tighter, so long as it can stretch loosely to gauge.

You will need:

200 (275, 350) metres / 220 (300, 380) yards of lace or fingering weight yarn (Main colour A).

30 - 80 metres / yards Contrast colour B (for striped version).

3.75mm, 4.0mm and 4.5mm (US 5, 6 and 7) needles for small circ. knitting (DPNS or cable

needles for magic loop)

Size 6/0 or 8/0 seed beads if desired.

Tiny crochet hook to place beads (I used 0.6mm hook).

©2014 Cathy Mc Fadden 1

Directions:

With contrast colour B and 4.5mm (US 7) needles, Cast on loosely 168 (192, 216) stitches.

Row 1 Knit.

Join to work in the round, changing to 4.0mm (US 6) needles and main colour.

Round 1 Knit.

? Change to 3.75mm (US 5) needles ?

Rounds 2-16: (k2, p4) repeat to end of round. (15 rounds, 4cm)

Round 17: Decrease round: (k2 p2 p2tog) repeat to end.

Rounds 18-28: (k2, p3) repeat to end of round. (11 rounds, 3cm)

Round 29: Decrease round: (k2 p1 p2tog) repeat to end.

Rounds 30-36: (k2, p2) repeat to end of round. (7 rounds, 2cm)

? Change to 4.0mm (US 6) needles ?

Round 37: Decrease round: (k2 k2tog) repeat to end.

Rounds 38-49: Knit every stitch. (12 rounds, 3cm)

Change to contrast colour.

Round 50: Knit every stitch.

Round 51: Purl every stitch.

Round 52: (k2tog, YO) repeat to end of round.

Round 53: Purl every stitch (Add a bead to each k2tog stitch before purling it.)

Change to Main colour.

Round 54: Knit every stitch, decreasing 4 stitches evenly over the round with k2tog.

Optionally place a marker before (or after) each decrease for future rounds.

Work rounds 38-54 three times more,

decreasing by 4 on the last round to end with

a multiple of 4 stitches.

Finishing

? Change to 3.75mm (US 5) needles ?

Rounds 106-115: (k2 p2) repeat to end.

(10 rounds, 2.5cm)

Bind of with an elastic or stretchy bind off.

Eg. Jenny’s super stretchy bind off.

Weave in all ends.

©2014 Cathy Mc Fadden 2