Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Pomp and Power Cowl

Pomp and Power Cowl

First off: yes, I know it's a weird name! But that's only because, in researching the particular color of yarn I chose, I realized that "pomp and power" is actually a color of purple, and, in my opinion at least, the closest name I could find for this particular shade (go ahead! Google it! I'll be here when you get back!). And, ultimately, it's also not a bad name for this super lightweight, drapey cowl either, especially since the cowl made by knitting sock weight yarn on larger needles and has a very sophisticated look.

Yarn: Maddison Bio Baby (100% Organic Cotton; 197 yards [180 meters]/50 grams); #06 Pomp and Power (I couldn't find an official name, so I'm sticking with the theme here) - one to two skeins, and scrap worsted weight yarn for i-cord (I used a bit of the Lang Yarns Riva (52% Cotton, 48% Acrylic; 115 yards [105 meters]/50 grams); # 0009 Rosa/Grau/Blau I had left over from the Building Bridges Cowl)

The lacing in the back, for reference
Needles: One set of needles in size US 9, two double pointed needles in size US 9 for i-cord

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 27 stitches = 4 inches on size US 3 needles (roughly 18 stitches = 4 inches on size US 9s)

And now that we've got the details out the way, let's move on to the pattern for this delightful lightweight cowl. And let's begin by casting on 19 stitches loosely, and then moving straight to some transition rows, as follows. To work them, we'll need the following notation:

lifted increase (li): insert right-hand needle straight through the middle of the next stitch in the row below, and knit; then knit the stitch on your needle normally

And once you've got that down, we'll continue like so:
 
Transition Row 1 (right side): knit

Transition Row 2: purl

Transition Row 3: knit

Transition Row 4: knit

Transition Row 5: (k2tog, yo) 9 times, k1

Transition Row 6: knit

Transition Row 7: knit

Transition Row 8: purl

Transition Row 9: k1, * li; rep from * until end of row (37 stitches)

Transition Row 10: purl

Transition Row 11: k1, * li * (73 stitches)

Knit these 11 transition rows, and then work in stockinette until piece measures roughly 18" - 19" in length and you've just finished a wrong-side row. And then, we'll work some more transition rows, like so:

Transition Row 1 (right side): k1, * k2tog * (37 stitches)

Transition Row 2: purl

Transition Row 3: k1, * k2tog * (19 stitches)

Transition Row 4: purl

Transition Row 5: knit

Transition Row 6: knit

Transition Row 7: (k2tog, yo) 9 times, k1

Transition Row 8: knit

Transition Row 9: knit

Transition Row 10: purl 

Work these 10 transition rows, and then bind off loosely, purling. Using your scrap worsted weight yarn, work a 4-stitch i-cord until it measures roughly 30" and bind off. Tuck in ends and block cowl. Finally, lace i-cord through every other hole, as shown, and knot.  






20 comments:

  1. Pretty cowl! Such a beautiful color and the special closing is a nice idea. Thanks for sharing! Happy weekend greetings, Nata

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    1. Hi Nata!

      Glad you like it! I wanted to do something fun with larger needles, and I thought this was the best way to make it special. :)

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  2. You have chosen a fantastic colour for the cowl and I love how
    it has the loose look. The lace work is also a lovely addition.

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    1. Thank you! This color really jumped out at me, I must say. Glad you like it! :)

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  3. Hi Gretchen. I'm in a serious need of a "Gretchen " fix. I've been checking your site daily hoping for a new pattern. You must be working on something really special.. Hope all is well.

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    1. Hi!

      I know, I've gotten behind! :) And I actually just took a wonderful vacation, which, as mentioned, was wonderful, but once you add three kids to a hotel room there's not much knitting time left!!!! Anyway, I will be posting a new pattern tomorrow that I'm very excited about, and then should resume my regular posting schedule after that. Thanks for checking on me, though! :)

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  4. Hello - I am quite new to knitting but am willing to risk asking a stupid question because I love this pattern SO much... So here goes... So I cast on 19 stitches. Is the lifted increase only started in the 9th TR? It looks like you need to do something fancy to get the edging to thread the i-cord through? Or is that the benefit of the loose cast on? Thanks in advance, Genevieve

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    1. Hi Genevieve!

      It's Transition Row 5 that will provide you with the means to thread the i-cord; in it, you'll be making holes for it to go through! :) And you're right that the increases don't occur until row 9; that way there's less fabric to gather at the back, so it won't get all bunched up around your neck! :) Anyway, let me know if you have any more questions!!!

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  5. How would I knit without the lacing, ie, as a continuous piece, or joined together?

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    1. Hi there!

      Just skip the (k2tog, yo)s on transition rows 5 & 7 and then finish with a seam! :) And let me know if you have any other questions.

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    2. If I skip the (k2tog, yo)s on the transition rows 5 & 7 do I knit or purl these rows?

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    3. It's really up to you! If you purl you'll have a small bit of purl fabric, if you knit you'll have some garter. :)

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  6. Replies
    1. Wonderful, let me know if you have any questions! :)

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  7. I'm going to apologize in advancefor my ignorance, but I don't understand the term transition row. I've tried to look it up and I just can't visualize how to do this. Is EVERY row an increase and is it after the first stitch or somehow before? Is there a video to possibly help us less experienced knitters with a terminology I've never heard of in the 6 years I've been knitting?

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    1. I use the term "transition row" for a one-off row that you won't repeat. So you only do it once! If that doesn't help enough let me know and I can try to find you more information to help! :)

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    2. Instead of transition can you use Set up row, less confusing

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    3. If it helps you to call it that, of course! :)

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  8. Beginning knitter here and trying this as a first pattern… I’ve knit and unknit and knit again several times but I’m still ending up with only 33 stitches instead of 37 on that first transition row… I’m afraid to go any further in case it will need fixing down the line. Or should it be okay as long as I keep the same pattern (however many the next transition row will have) on the other side?

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful, let me know if you have any other questions! And good luck!!!

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