Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Diagonal Weave Cowl

Diagonal Weave Cowl

So here's the deal; I was so inspired by the yarn-mixing of my Little Bowknot Hat that I finally allowed myself to buy another one of the loner skeins of clearance yarn I've been dying for (in this case, the Berroco Versa, which is a light chunky-weight cotton acrylic blend that comes in sort of a knit tube, if you're looking for something similar). And I have to admit that I've very pleased with the results of this pattern, especially considering how little yarn I used, and how fun it was to knit. Worked with an asymmetrical line of eyelets, then, the Diagonal Weave Cowl is a great opportunity to combine a couple of stash skeins into a striking project.
A close-up of the weave pattern itself.

Yarn: Schachenmayr Ragge Yarn (70% New Wool, 30% Polyamide; 87 yards [80 meters]/50 grams); #102 Cream (color A) - one skein & Berroco Versa (50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic; 81 yards [75 meters]/50 grams); #3671 Travertine (color B) - one skein

Needles: One 24" circular needle in size 8, and one 24" circular needle in size 10

Notions: Tapestry needle, two stitch markers or scraps of yarn to mark stitches

Gauge: 16 stitches = 4 inches

So let's do this! Using color A (for us, the cream) and your size 8 circular needle, cast on 100 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Knit 3 rows in a k2, p2 ribbing, placing your additional stitch marker after you've worked 49 stitches. Slip marker when you come to it during your ribbing rows, and transfer piece to your size 10 needle when you're finished with this. Knit one row around, still slipping extra marker when you come to it.

Then, once you're done with these four set-up rows, it's time to work the main pattern, which is Diagonal Weave from page 99 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, except adapted for the round. And it goes as follows:

Row 1: using color B, knit until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k1, yo, and knit until end of row

Row 2: using color A, k1, * slip 1, k3; rep from * until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k4, and then * slip 1, k3 * until end of round

Row 3: using color A, k1, * slip 1, k3; rep from * until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k1, yo, k3, and then * slip 1, k3 * until end of round

Row 4: using color B, k1, * drop slipped stitch off needle, k2, then pick up slipped stitch and knit it (being careful not to twist it), k1 * until you reach marker, slip marker, k5, * drop slipped stitch off needle, k2, then pick up slipped stitch and knit it, k1 *

Row 5: using color B, knit until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k1, yo, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color A, k5, * slip 1, k3 * until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k6, * slip 1, k3 *

Row 7: using color A, k5, * slip 1, k3 * until you reach stitch marker, slip marker, k1, yo, k5 * slip 1, k3 *

Row 8: using color B, k3, * slip 2 stitches, drop slipped stitch from needle, slip same 2 stitches back to your left-hand needle, then pick up dropped stitch and knit it, k3 *, end k2 right before marker, slip marker, k5, * slip 2 stitches, drop slipped stitch from needle, slip same 2 stitches back to your left-hand needle, then pick up dropped stitch and knit it, k3 *, end k2 at end of row

Knit rows 1 - 8 four times, and then knit rows 1 - 4 one more time. Using color A, knit one row. Switch to your size 8 needle, and then knit 3 rows in a k2, p2 ribbing, also with color A (note: this ribbing will both begin and end with a k2, because of the stitches we've added). Using color B, bind off, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches. Tuck in ends.







18 comments:

  1. THIS ROCKS! Thanks for the pattern - Happy Thursday...Tanya

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    1. I'm glad you like it! I think this one turned out really nicely - it keeps its shape well (so it doesn't really show off a wrong side), and it's an easy way to make a two-color pattern that has a little bit more interest than stripes, but isn't much harder to knit. And it goes fast!!!

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    2. Thank you for sharing the pattern! I can hardly wait to get started knitting it.

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  2. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your patterns! Thank you. Just wondering, though, if you'd consider adding the weights of the yarns you use. I'm not good enough to know just by yarn size! Just a question. Keep creating patterns, I adore them!

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    1. Hi Jessica!

      I'm glad to hear you like my patterns :) And I do, actually, include the yarn weight, just in a sneaky place. If you look at the bottom of the post (but above the comments), you'll see the word "labels". I include yarn weight as a label for each post, and you can find it there :)

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  3. This is an awesome pattern. Just wanted to ask you if this pattern was possible with straight needles. I am pretty new to knitting and still not comfortable with circular needles. Seems too much to ask for? Then just smile and say no.. :) thanks for all the awesomeness that u packed into one website..

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  4. This is an awesome pattern. Just wanted to ask you if this pattern was possible with straight needles. I am pretty new to knitting and still not comfortable with circular needles. Seems too much to ask for? Then just smile and say no.. :) thanks for all the awesomeness that u packed into one website..

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    1. Hi there! I can definitely help you convert this to a straight-needle pattern, if you'd like. However, I should also point out that the only parts of circular knitting that could possibly be considered tricky are the initial join and the bind-off; otherwise, it's actually easier than back-and-forth because you don't have any wrong-side rows to deal with. I highly encourage you to try.

      Here's some info about the join: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/avoid-a-gap-at-the-join-in-circular-knitting.html

      And here's some info about binding off: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-bind-off-in-the-round.html

      Anyway, if you really want this pattern converted, let me know, and I'll help you. Again, though, I think you'll find circular knitting to be super easy, and very gratifying (since it will open up a whole new world of patterns!). :)

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  5. Thanks soooo much for the videos and the encouragement in loads... :):):)... Will definitely try and let u know.. Keep the awesomeness coming.. Big fan.. I am..

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    1. I am confident you can do it! :) And, if you struggle for some reason, I am also glad to rewrite the pattern (again, though, I think you'll be really happy if you try!).

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  6. Thanks soooo much for the videos and the encouragement in loads... :):):)... Will definitely try and let u know.. Keep the awesomeness coming.. Big fan.. I am..

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  7. Hi. Thaannnnnnkkkkksssss soooo much for the encouragement to try circular knitting.. I have made a couple of ponchos using CKPs after all your encouragement and help. Will be sharing pics with you soon and try all your other patterns too.. God bless..
    PS I loved the cherry blossom cowl... :)

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  8. Hi. Thaannnnnnkkkkksssss soooo much for the encouragement to try circular knitting.. I have made a couple of ponchos using CKPs after all your encouragement and help. Will be sharing pics with you soon and try all your other patterns too.. God bless..
    PS I loved the cherry blossom cowl... :)

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    1. Woo hoo! So glad to hear it! :) And can't wait to see your pics.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. I'm glad you're enjoying my patterns!!! And please, let me know if you ever have any questions. :)

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  10. Hello-thinking about doing this cowl, but what is the purpose of the yo on the odd rows? It this going to be getting larger?
    Thank you in advance…just found your blog and like your patterns!

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    1. Hi there! Glad you found me. And yes, this particular cowl does get bigger! :)

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