Athleisure Cowl

The architect in me loves all black clothing, and the outdoor enthusiast loves comfortable and stylish athletic clothing that I can wear all day. ATHLEISURE COWL bridges the gap in my wardrobe preferences in the smoothest of ways. It’s designed with thoughtful reversible details, a functional drawstring, and it’s the perfect extra bit of fashion that’s also functionally warm. Designed for a single skein of yarn, this design has directions for both worsted weight (as shown in the main sample) and sport to DK weights. It’s a great use for a skein of handspun, too. Create a drawstring with the main color for a sleek look or add a pop accent color for a bit of pizzaz. Pattern includes video tutorials for the details used in this design.

YARN – SPORT TO DK WEIGHT

Originally designed for worsted weight yarn, I added notes for sport to DK weight during testing and knit a few more samples.

Handspun sample (mixed colors) is sport to DK weight, mixed fibers, approximately 15-16 WPI. Sample used 181 yd / 166 m (72 g). Drawstring used fingering weight yarn, 16 yd / 15 m (4 g).

Sport weight sample (dark teal) is Targhee Sport 4-ply yarn by HipStrings, 90% Superwash Targhee, 10% Nylon, 300 yd / 274 m per 100 g. Sample used 243 yd / 222 m (81 g). Drawstring used fingering weight yarn, 19 yd / 17 m (4 g).

YARN – WORSTED WEIGHT

Targhee Worsted 3-ply yarn by HipStrings, 100% Targhee Wool, 280 yd / 256 m per 115 g, or similar worsted weight yarn, 1 skein. www.hipstrings.com.

Worsted weight sample shown in colorway Raven.

Total yarn used: 224 yd / 205 m (92 g)

Cowl: 212 yd / 194 m (87 g)

Drawstring: 12 yd / 11 m (5 g)

GAUGE & NEEDLES – SPORT TO DK WEIGHT

21 stitches & 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round

US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm or 24” / 60 cm or size needed to get gauge

Drawstring (fingering to DK weight): US 2 / 2.75 mm needles

GAUGE & NEEDLES – WORSTED WEIGHT

18 stitches & 24 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round

Worsted weight: US 8 / 5.0 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm or 24” / 60 cm or size needed to get gauge

Drawstring (worsted weight): US 5 / 3.75 mm needles

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS – BOTH WEIGHTS

Circumference: 24” / 61 cm

Height: 8.5” / 22 cm

Adjust height by adjusting number of pattern repeats or length of border.

ADDITIONAL TOOLS

Spare circular needle in same size as main needle

Smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-on

Crochet hook in size similar to main needle for provisional cast-on

This is a written pattern with a schematic and links to video tutorials.

Share your work on Instagram: #AthleisureCowl

Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn

Test knitting: Pia B., Jill D., Sara D., Lisa M., Kim R., Alane O., Amanda S., L. Taylor, & Emily W. (knitwitte8)