Chunky Seed Stitch Cowl

This Christmas my little sister asked if I would make her a chunky winter wrap. My search for patterns didn’t yield what I was looking for. They all seemed a little stiff and used such thick yarn that each stitch seemed to be bursting. I like any type of knitted wrap to have a good drape and these patterns were coming up short. And so instead of looking for a pattern I decided to buy the yarn I wanted first, then make it up as I went along. Making things up as you go is the joy of knitting scarves and cowls — you can’t really mess up a long rectangle. The pattern and yarn worked together so nicely for my sister’s gift that I ended up making a second cowl for myself.

If you’d like one too, the pattern is below. It will only take a few evenings curled up on the couch with a cup of tea and your favorite show on the TV or radio to keep you company as you work away mindlessly, stitch after soft stitch.

Seed Stitch Cowl

Materials

• 1 set 12 mm (US Size 17) straight knitting needles
• 3 skeins (3 oz, 180 m) worsted weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Natural Heather)
• 4 – 6 large buttons (I used 4 buttons 1.25 inches in diameter)

Process

• Using three strands of yarn, one from each skein, loosely cast on 20 stitches.
• Knit in seed stitch for full length of scarf, approximately 136 rows. As you knit, be sure to treat all three strands as a single strand.
• Seed stitch is executed as follows:
Row 1: *K1,P1; repeat from * to end of row
Row 2:  *P1,K1; repeat from * to end of row
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for entirety of scarf.
• Knit until you have enough just enough yarn left in each skein to cast off loosely. After casting off, weave in loose ends.
• Sew buttons evenly along the cast-off end of the scarf. Use natural openings in the stitches of the cast-on end of the scarf as button holes and you have
your cowl.

With buttons on the end there are plenty of ways to wrap and wear this chunky scarf.

Comments

6 responses to “Chunky Seed Stitch Cowl”

  1. Amber Avatar

    Love this!! I really should start knitting again. I have a hat that needs to be finished…good thing we haven’t had a real winter yet! 🙂

    1. admin Avatar
      admin

      I’m surprised that you aren’t knitting up a storm with the baby on its way! Such tiny outfits knit up so fast 🙂

  2. Julie Easton Avatar
    Julie Easton

    This is fabulous!

    1. admin Avatar
      admin

      Thanks, Julie!

  3. Patti Avatar

    Lovely! I’m making one now, but a little less bulky. I also want to make the Gaptastic cowl too!

    1. admin Avatar
      admin

      Ooooh. The Gaptastic is lovely. If there had been chunky yarn in the right color I may have just knit that for my sister instead. Would love to see your cowl when finished.

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