Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Grand Picot Eyelet Cowl

Grand Picot Eyelet Cowl

So here's the thing. Mostly, I bought this yarn because it was 100% cotton, I liked the subtle color pattern, and it was cheap as hell. Then, at some point, I realized that most people seem to use this type of fiber for dish clothes rather than, you know, cowls. Nevertheless, I quite like the end result, both with the braided cable and the reversible eyelet pattern which surrounds it.

From the back
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream (100% Cotton; 95 yards [86 meters]/56.7 grams); color #00178 Potpourri Ombre - 2 skeins

Needles: Straight needles in size 7, two double pointed needles (dpns) in size 7 (for the i-cord), cable needle (cn) or dpn for cabling

Notions: Tapestry needle, two stitch markers


Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches

To begin, we'll cast on 24 stitches. Knit 11, place first marker, k2, place your second marker, and then knit until the end of the round. Then, for the main pattern, we'll be incorporating Grand Picot Eyelet from page 182 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and we'll working increases until we can begin the braid. So let's proceed as follows:

Row 1 (wrong side): k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice; rep from * until you reach first marker, slip marker, purl until you reach second marker, slip marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 2: k2, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, m1r, knit until next marker, slip marker, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 3: knit until first marker, slip marker, purl until second marker, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 4: k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you reach first marker, slip marker, knit until you reach second marker, slip marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 5: k2, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, purl until next marker, slip marker, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 6: knit across, slipping markers when you come to them

Knit rows 1 - 6 seven times and then knit rows 1 - 3 once more, omitting the m1r in your final row 2*. At this point, you should have nine stitches between your two markers, and it's time to switch up the pattern to add the braid. So let's proceed as follows:

Row 1 (right side): k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you reach first marker, slip marker, k3, slip next three stitches to cn and hold in back, k3, k3 from cn, slip marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 2: k2, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, purl until next marker, slip marker, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 3: knit across, slipping markers when you come to them

Row 4: k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you reach first marker, slip marker, purl until you reach second marker, slip marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 5: k2, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, knit until next marker, slip marker, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 6: knit until first marker, slip marker, purl until second marker, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 7: k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you reach first marker, slip marker, slip next three stitches to cn and hold in front, k3, k3 from cn, k3, slip marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Rows 8 - 12: same as rows 2 - 6

Knit rows 1 - 12 nine times. Then we'll knit a few transition rows before moving to the last portion of our pattern. So first, knit these:

Transition Row 1: k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you reach first marker, remove marker, sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice once more, (m1r, k1) three times, sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice, remove marker, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Transition Row 2: k2, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * four times, p6, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Transition Row 3: knit

And now that that's done, let's move on to our final pattern before the ruffle, which is just the Grand Picot Eyelet, a three-row pattern as follows:

Row 1: k2, * sl1-k2tog-psso, (yo) twice * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 2: k1, * (p1, k1) into double yo, p1 * until you're two stitches from the end of the row, k2

Row 3: knit

Knit rows 1 - 3 nine times, at which point you should be beginning a right side row. Then, we'll work the ruffle as follows:

Ruffle Row 1 (right side): k2, * k2, p2 * until you're four stitches from the end of the row, k4 

Ruffle Row 2: k2, * p2, m1r, k2 * until you're four stitches from the end of the row, p2, k2

Ruffle Row 3: k2, * m1r, k2, p3 * until you're four stitches from the end of the row, m1r, k4

Ruffle Row 4: k2, * p3, k3 * until you're five stitches from the end of the row, p3, k2

Ruffle Row 5: k2, * m1r, k3, p3 * until you're until you're five stitches from the end of the row, m1r, k5

Ruffle Row 6: k2, * p4, k3 * until you're six stitches from the end of the row, p4, k2

Bind off loosely, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purls. Last but not least, use your dpns to work a three-stitch i-cord that measures roughly 36". Tuck in ends, and style piece as desired. Below you'll find pictures of how I tied this bad boy together, as an example.

* updated to correct error 1/23/15







20 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! The back of this cowl is beautifully done!!

    Linda in VA

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    1. Thanks Linda! I thought the cable was a nice touch, so I'm glad to hear you liked it!

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  2. I love this cowl! The texture just melts into the cable and the ties, instead of the run of the mill circle are fantastic! Thanks, so much, for sharing this! Mare

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    1. I'm happy you like it! I make plenty of circular cowls, but sometimes it's nice to do something a little more unexpected. And I love making I-cord ties - they add versatility :)

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  3. Don't get me wrong. I love your circular shawls, too. You use such great stitch patterns! I just really love things that are different from the norm. I'm going to make this cowl for a Christmas gift, just as soon as I order the yarn!

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    1. Don't worry, I took no offense, I was just agreeing! Obviously the circle is the most natural shape for a cowl, but it's not always the most fun! And please, if you're ever knitting any of my designs and have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always happy to help!

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  4. Most people DO use it for cloths, but there are people who are allergic to wool who don't want to wear acrylics.

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    1. My mom has that issue. And I still think it's a pretty yarn :}

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  5. I'm having a problem with this cowl. By the time I knit rows 1-6 seven times and then knit rows 1-3 once more, I have 10 stitches between my markers instead of 9. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it? Please help!! Thanks

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    1. Hi Connie!

      I've looked this over and you are completely right; as written, this pattern adds an extra stitch. I apologize. I think the best thing to do is to omit the final increase. That will make very little ripping, or you may even be able to drop the stitch and do some scooching. You could also simply perform an ssk to get rid of the extra stitch, as I doubt you'll notice in the final product. Again, I apologize for this error, and I appreciate you drawing my attention to it. I will update the pattern accordingly!

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    2. Hi Gretchen, thank you for replying. I appreciate the advice; I think I will omit the last increase. I love your patterns and am looking forward to knitting more of them!! I hope you gave a great day!!

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    3. Glad to hear it! :) Again, I apologize. And I hope you have a wonderful day as well!

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  6. Hi. Just found your site and LOVE your "cowls-with-a-difference". I've been trying to work out something like this one or your tie-closure lace trellis one for myself. This one in particular looks so lovely in that yarn. I had been thinking of something with buttons but I just might have to do this tie version now! Thank you for some great ideas!

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    1. Hi Wendy!

      I'm glad to hear that you like my patterns! And I've been thinking of doing more buttoned cowls, but I get lazy about writing buttonhole rows (really. I wish I had a better excuse, but I don't). Anyway, let me know if you ever have any questions! I'm always happy to help. :)

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  7. Hi Wendy, love this cowl. I am working it as we speak, I see the the grand picot starts with Row1 K2 and Row 2 K1, it doesn't seem correct. Can you let me know.

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    1. Hi there!

      I'm not sure where the mix-up occurred but both rows 1 & 2 start with a k2 - perhaps I'm not understanding the question? :)

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  8. I really love cowls with buttons or ties rather than circles! More please!!!

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  9. I have a cone of this exact colorway in Peaches n Creme. I thought it was pretty, so I bought it, event though I had no idea what I wanted to do with it. I love this cowl, thanks for posting it! Like you, I've realized that most people don't use this or Sugar n Creme Cotton for clothing/accessories, but it feels really soft to me, so I'm going to give it a go. Thanks again for posting such a beautiful pattern.

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    1. Wonderful, glad I'm not the only one!!! :) And let me know if you have any questions - I'm always happy to help.

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