Verna Cowl

Pasttern Notes

The Verna Cowl arose from an exploration of twisted stitches in sock designs, and a desire to see them scaled up a little. Attracted to the crisp three dimensional structure that twisting the stitches produces, and how they stand proud against a background, I wanted to explore how they could create direction, texture and importantly for one of my favourite shapes of cowl, structure.

Verna is knit in the round starting from the bottom rib, working through the bias pattern section, to the top rib. The shaping is achieved through both changing needle sizes and decreasing the number of stitches. This creates a cowl that sits nicely on the shoulders and closes in around the neck for maximum warmth and cosiness. It is also the perfect shape for a slightly open fronted coat or jacket with which you can also admire the pattern detail of the cowl to its fullest. 

While such cowls are quick small projects, producing a stylish but also functional accessory that you’ll keep reaching for depends on the right set up and smooth transitions through the pattern. My attention to these details means you can simply enjoy following the pattern, whether you choose the written or charted instructions. 

Size - One size  

Bottom circumference - 32 inches / 82 cm 

Top circumference - 20.4 inches / 52 cm

Drop - 8.5 inches / 22 cm

Yarn

1 x 100g dLana Madrilana DK - Spanish merino – 100g = 235 meters / 257 yards. 

Gauge

16.5 sts and 32.5 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in) using 4.5mm needles over reverse stocking stitch after blocking

Needles & Materials

3.75mm (US5) needles or needles required to achieve gauge

4mm (US6) needles or needles required to achieve gauge

4.5mm (US7) needles or needles required to achieve gauge

Tapestry needle

Format - The pattern is supplied as a 7 page English Language PDF download