Moebius braid cowl : Winter 2013

by Rachel Roden

I wanted to create a cabled version of my new favorite winter accessory, the cowl. Unfortunately traditional cables are not reversible and have an unsightly wrong side, which is a problem for a piece like this since both sides are often visible. However, with the brilliant invention of reversible cables, that is no longer a problem!

Reversible cables are deceptively simple, using ribbing to create a fabric that looks the same on both sides. This particular stitch pattern is just a simple braid that has been modified to be reversible. The cowl is knit in a long strip, with a moebius-esque twist added before joining.

Squishy and reversible, the Moebius Braid Cowl is the perfect accessory to snuggle up into on a cold winter day. It can be worn as a long loop or doubled up around the neck for added warmth!

model: Rachel Roden

photos: Chris Webster


SIZE One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 52 inches
Width: 7 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Jill Draper Makes Stuff Windham [100% American grown and spun merino; 220 yds/ 201 m per 113g skein]; color: Bottle; 2 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 24-inch US #10/6 mm circular needle

Notions
cable needle
stitch marker
crochet hook and waste yarn for provisional cast-on
yarn needle

GAUGE

16 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
32 sts/16 rows = 4 inches in reversible braid stitch pattern, unstretched, after blocking

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

Instructions for a Provisional Cast On can be found here.

The three-needle bind off is recommended for this project.

C12B: Slip 6 stitches on a cable needle and hold to back of work, [k1, p1] 3 times; (k1, p1) 3 times across sts on cable needle.

C12F: Slip 6 stitches on a cable needle and hold to front of work, [k1, p1]3 times; [k1, p1] 3 times across sts on cable needle.

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 60 stitches using a provisional cast on.

Rows 1-4: [K1, p1] across.

Row 5 [RS]: C12B 5 times.

Rows 6-10: [K1, p1] across.

Row 11 [RS]: [K1, p1] 3 times, C12F 4 times, [k1, p1] 3 times.

Row 12 [WS]: [K1, p1] across.

Repeat Rows 1-12 until about 2 yards of yarn remains, or the desired length has been reached, ending with Row 12.

Do not bind off.

FINISHING
Block gently, leaving the stitches on the needle. Unzip the provisional cast on and place the live stitches onto a needle.

Turn over one needle, so that the cowl is twisted. Using the 3-needle bind off, join the two ends of the cowl.

Weave in all ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Rachel is a budding knitwear designer who lives in Reno, Nevada. She recently decided to start putting all the pattern ideas in her head down on paper and has a special love for quick accessory patterns and lace shawls. She was an archaeologist in a former life and still loves spending time outdoors. The rugged scenery found in the Reno/Tahoe area often inspires her knitwear designs.

Visit her website, and find her on Ravelry.