INTRODUCTION

Saturday Night Cowl

by Juliette Williams

This cowl uses a skein of gorgeous rainbow indie-dyed yarn in contrast with a neutral navy to make a beautiful double-sided reversible cowl. Either side of the cowl looks fantastic, and the garter blocks help break up the ribbed look and add pops of the reverse color to each side. As I was knitting it, the squares combined with the rainbow yarn really made me think of the squares of light thrown by a disco ball. My Spotify happened to be playing The Bay City Rollers as I was designing this, so “Saturday Night” was born.

This is a good pattern for brioche beginners to learn the stitch, but the garter blocks keep it interesting and fun for those already well-versed in brioche. It can be knit to any length you choose, but I made it long enough to wrap twice around my neck, to keep me extra cosy as I stroll through the city through the autumn and into winter. On a rare mild day, I like to wear it as a single loop, so it drapes like a scarf. Either way, this cowl is sure to be a winter staple. Make it as bold and bright or as neutral and classic as you like, depending on the colors you choose!

model: Juliette Williams

photos: Emily Talley

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width: 10.5 inches/27 cm
Length: 48 inches/122 cm
Length is easily adjusted; work to your preferred length.

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Knit the Bed Sock [75% SW merino, 25% nylon; 459yd/420m per 100g skein]; color: Rainbow Drops; 1 skein
[CC] Lang Jawoll Superwash [75% SW merino, 25% nylon; 229yd/209m per 50g skein]; color: Navy; 2 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm needles: a pair of long DPNs or short circular needle

Notions
6 stitch markers

GAUGE

20 sts/12 (brioche) rows = 4 inches/10 cm in brioche stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Techniques:

• brk: brioche knit, knit the stitch together with the yarnover that accompanies it.
• brp (brioche purl): purl the stitch together with the yarnover that accompanies it.
• sl1yo (Rows 1a and 2b, between knit stitches): bring the yarn to the front, slip the next st purlwise; leave the yarn in front, ready to work the following stitch. When you knit the following st, the yarn will drape over the needle to create the yarnover.
• sl1yo (Rows 1b and 2a, between purl stitches): with the yarn in the front, slip the next st purlwise, take the yarn over the needle and all the way to the front again, ready to work the following stitch. When you purl the following st, the yarn will drape over the needle to create the yarnover.
• Sl: All sts slipped at start and end of row are slipped purlwise with yarn held to the WS of the work.
• Two-color long-tail cast on: Make a slip knot with both MC and CC held together. Place knot on needle, and work a long-tail cast on with MC as the “tail” – the thumb yarn – and CC as the “working yarn”. Leave both yarns attached when cast on is complete.

DIRECTIONS

Cowl
Using the Two-Color Long-Tail method, CO 63 sts

Set up Row a [WS]: Using MC, p1, [sl1yo, p1] to end. Do not turn, slide stitches back to other side of the needle.
Set up Row b [WS]: Using CC, sl1, [brk1, sl1yo] to last 2 sts, brk1, drop CC in back of work (to RS), sl1. Turn.

Plain Brioche Section:
Row 1a [RS]: Using MC, K1, [sl1yo, brk1] to last 2 sts, sl1yo, k1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 1b [RS]: Using CC, Sl1, [brp1, sl1yo] to last 2 sts, brp1, drop CC in front, sl1. Turn.
Row 2a [WS]: Using MC, P1, [sl1yo, brp1] to last 2 sts, sl1yo, p1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 2b [WS]: Using CC, Sl1, [brk1, sl1yo] to last 2 sts, brk1, drop CC in back, sl1. Turn.

Work Rows 1a-2b 7 more times. 32 rows worked, 16 rows if you count the knit ribs on the RS of the work.

Triple Garter Block Section:
Row 1a [RS]: Using MC, K1, {[sl1yo, brk1] 4 times, k9, brk1} three times, [sl1yo, brk1] 3 times, sl1yo, k1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 1b [RS]: Using CC, Sl1, {[brp1, sl1yo] 4 times, p9, sl1yo} three times, [brp1, sl1yo] 3 times, brp1, drop CC in front, sl1. Turn.
Row 2a [WS]: Using MC, P1, {[sl1yo, brp1] 4 times, p9, brp1} three times, [sl1yo, brp1] 3 times, sl1yo, p1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 2b [WS]: Using CC, Sl1, {[brk1, sl1yo] 4 times, k9, sl1yo} three times, [brk1, sl1yo] 3 times, brk1, drop CC in back, sl1. Turn.

Work Rows 1a-2b 5 times total, 20 rows worked.

Repeat the Plain Brioche Section.

Double Garter Block Section:
Row 1a [RS]: Using MC, K1, [sl1yo, brk1] 4 times, {[sl1yo, brk1] 4 times, sl1yo, k9} twice, [sl1yo, brk1] 8 times, sl1yo, k1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 1b [RS]: Using CC, Sl1, [brp1, sl1yo] 4 times, {[brp1, sl1yo] 4 times, brp1, p9} twice, [brp1, sl1yo] 8 times, brp1, drop CC in front, sl1. Turn.
Row 2a [WS]: Using MC, P1, [sl1yo, brp1] 4 times, {[sl1yo, brp1] 4 times, sl1yo, p9} twice, [sl1yo, brp1] 8 times, sl1yo, p1. DO NOT TURN; slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 2b [WS]: Using CC, Sl1, [brk1, sl1yo] 4 times, {[brk1, sl1yo] 4 times, brk1, p9} twice, [brk1, sl1yo] 8 times, brk1, drop CC in back, sl1. Turn.

Work Rows 1a-2b 5 times total, 20 rows worked.

Continue as set, repeating [Plain Brioche Section, Triple Garter Block Section, Plain Brioche Section, Double Garter Block Section], until piece measures desired length, ending with Plain Brioche Section. Sample shown has 6 triple garter block sections and 5 double garter block sections and measures 48 in/122 cm long.

Cut CC and bind off in MC. Cut MC, leaving a long tail to work the seam.

FINISHING

Using MC, sew bound off and cast on edges together, being careful not to twist.

Wash gently and lay the cowl flat to dry. Do not stretch or pin it as this will cause the brioche to lose its squishiness.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Juliette Williams is a knitter, designer, and world traveller currently based in Boston, MA. When she’s not crafting, she can be found reading with a cup of coffee, hiking, or exploring the world.

Find more of her work on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2019 Juliette Williams.