Are you ready to start your Christmas knitting? Here’s a quick and simple cowl I designed in two versions. One is totally straight and the other flares out at the base so it will fit into the necklines of your coats and jackets.
The yarn I used was Noro’s Iro, a bulky blend of 75% wool and 25% silk that knitted up at a gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch on size 10 1/2 circular needles. I needed less than a full 100g skein for either version. You can also use two strands of knitting worsted weight wool. I suggest you use a yarn with decent body as you don’t want this cowl to be too floppy.
Straight version:
Using your 10 1/2, 24″ circular needle, cast on 64 stitches. Join in the round.
Knit in stockinette (knitting all stitches) for six rows.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Continue in stockinette for 10 rows.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit in stockinette for another 10 rows.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit in stockinette for six more rows.
Bind off.
Both the top and bottom of the cowl will roll, which provides a nice finish.
Flared version:
Cast on 80 stitches and join.
Knit in stockinette (all knit stitches) for six rows.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Next row: *Knit six stitches, Knit 2 tog, rpt from * until end of row. You will now have 70 stitches on your needle.
Knit six more rows in stockinette.
Next row: *Knit five stitches, Knit 2 tog, rpt from * until end of row. You will now have 60 stitches on your needle.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit in stockinette for 10 rows.
Purl a row.
Knit a row.
Purl a row.
Knit six rows in stockinette.
Bind off.
