Hand Knit Cabled Cowl

Last December I posted the machine knit version of this cowl (find it here).  I have worn the solid grey so much so I thought I would make another one, and this time with some color.

Instead of doing it on the machine I did it by hand.  I had some several trips with decent travel time so it was a great project to work on instead of socks.  It is small and easy enough to manage through car trips, airport delays, and the plane flight without being too bulky and cumbersome to carry.

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This time instead of using cotton yarn I used an acrylic – Caron’s Simply Soft (find it here).  I remember working with this yarn a while ago and liking it.  However, this time it did feel a little stiff while working on it.  After blocking though it has a great hand and drape.  Perfect for those that don’t like working with cotton and are sensitive to wool.  Also, since it is a heavier weight than the cotton I used previously – it worked up quickly on the needles.

I like the added interest detail of the gradation.  Gives a little something youthful to the traditional cables but in a sophisticated way.  The gradation is worked in rows, so there are some points you have to transfer the stitches from one needle to the other in order to get to the next yarn color you need.  I think this little extra time really adds something fun to the finished item.

I hope you enjoy this cowl as much as I have the first.  If the weather stays as cool at night as it has off and on this week – I may be wearing this by the bonfire real soon!

Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE

Hand Knit Cabled Cowl

By City Farmhouse Studio

Caron Simply Soft – Pagoda – 1 skein – (find it here)

Caron Simply Soft Tweeds – Gray Heather – 1 skein  – (find it here)

Knitting Needles:   5.00mm [size 8]

Gauge:   22 stitches x 22 rows = 4” x 4”

Stitch Definition:

C4B:  place first two needles on cable needle and drop to back of work.  K2 stitches.  K2 stitches on the cable needle.

With Color 1 Cast on 56 st

Row 1:  P2. K3. P4. K5. P28. K5. P4. K3. P2.

Row 2:  K2. P3. C4B. P5. (C4B, K4.) Repeat.  C4B. P5. C4B. P3. K2.

Row 3:  P2. K3. P4. K5. P28. K5. P4. K3. P2.

Row 4:  K2. P3. K4. P5. K28. P5. K4. P3. K2.

Row 5:  Repeat row 3.

Row 6:  K2. P3. C4B. P5. (K4, C4B) Repeat.  K4. P5. C4B. P3. K2.

Row 7-8:  Repeat Row 3-4

Repeat row 1-8 an additional 8 times or until desired length, ending after a row 6.

To begin color change:

Row 1 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3.  Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 2 & 3 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 and 4. Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 4 with Color 2: Repeat row 2.

Row 5 & 6 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 and 4.

Row 7 & 8 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3 and 6.

Row 9 & 10 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 and 4.

Row 11 & 12 with Color 2:  Repeat row 1 and 2.

Row 13 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3. Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 14 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3 & 4.  Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 15 with Color 1:  Repeat row 6.

With Color 2 repeat row 3 & 4. Then continue pattern repeating row 1-8 for an additional 8 times or until desired length ending after a row 6.

To begin second color change:

Row 1 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3.  Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 2 & 3 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3 and 4. Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 4 with Color 1:  Repeat row 2.

Row 5 & 6 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3 and 4.

Row 7 & 8 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 and 6.

Row 9 & 10 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3 and 4.

Row 11 & 12 with Color 1:  Repeat row 1 and 2.

Row 13 with Color 2:  Repeat row 3. Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 14 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 & 4.  Transfer all stitches to other needle.

Row 15 with Color 2:  Repeat row 6.

Row 16 with Color 1:  Repeat row 3 & 4.

Seam ends together.