Simply Ribbed Cowl

There is a versatility to simple ribbing. It fits well. It moves with the wearer due to its innate stretch. It is completely reversible, with the wrong side being just as wearable as the right side. And it is an excellent solution for variegated yarns if those are your jam. Add in an unexpected twist, like using an odd number rib like 3 x 1 instead of 1 x 1 or 2 x 2, and you’ve got an interesting piece to wear with two completely different looks. Magic!

The Simply Ribbed Cowl is an easy first in-the-round project for knitters who are already comfortable with working ribbing. It is an excellent piece for gifts, as the wearer doesn’t have to pay attention to right or wrong sides when putting it on so your knitting always looks great. It’s so simple that it’s suitable for outdoor work or exercise or just as easily for a trip into town. Versatile, comfortable, reversible; what more could you want or need?

Materials Needed:

- @160 yards of heavy worsted weight yarn (190-200 yards per 100g)

- 4.5mm (US size 7) circular needle(s) or dpns for small circumference knitting or size needed to meet gauge

- blunt darning needle or wool needle for weaving in ends

- stitch marker to mark beginning/end of the round (optional)

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 4” in 3x1 ribbing slightly stretched

By “slightly stretched” I mean that the purl stitches should be just visible rather than receding completely behind the knit stitches. For this project, stitch gauge is more important than row gauge, as a variation in height can be easily accommodated by increasing or reducing the number of rounds worked between the top and bottom borders.

Note that if there is a very large difference between the gauge you get and the gauge of the pattern, the amount of yarn needed to execute the pattern will be different as well.

Size Information: as written, 24” in circumference by @7.5” tall

This pattern is easy to adjust for a looser or even infinity loop fit by increasing the cast on in multiples of 4 stitches. For every additional 4 stitches added to the cast on, you will need an additional @5.25 yards of yarn.

Instruction Format

This pattern is entirely charted; you do not need to use the written instructions.

This pattern is entirely written; you do not need to use the charted instructions.