Giga cowl: Knitty.com

by Kalliopi Aronis

I think almost everyone remembers their first perfect piece of knitted fabric. The tension is even, holding the fabric against your cheek feels like the softest thing on the planet and you can't stop admiring it, even after three years!

When I taught myself to knit I had a few false starts but eventually I ended up with a beautiful rectangle of stockinette fabric. That small piece of fabric set me on a journey where I've learned just how much could be created with two sticks and some string and I've met the best friends who are always there for me.

This pattern is an homage to that little piece of fabric. I wanted to design something inspired by Stockinette Stitch but showing the range of how much I have learned over the years. Therefore, this cushy cowl is a Double Knit pattern of gigantic Stockinette Stitch fabric. Its warmth and reversabililty will make it the perfect piece to wear in the cold winter and serve as a reminder of humble beginnings.

model: Kalliopi Aronis

photos: Kea Kouvatsis and Gail Aronis


SIZE One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 28 inches
Depth: 9 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Madelinetosh Tosh Sport [100% superwash merino wool; 270 yd/247 m per 100g skein]
[MC] Composition Book Grey; 1 skein
[CC] Edison Bulb; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
2 24-inch US 3/3.25mm circular needles

Notions
stitch marker
yarn needle

GAUGE

17 sts/24 rounds = 4 inches in double knit stockinette stitch

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

Double knitting is a technique that creates two layers of fabric at once. This pattern uses it to create a negative image on the backside of the cowl. To achieve this, both yarns will travel together as follows:

MC square on chart: Move both yarns behind the work, K1 with just MC. Then move both yarns to the front of the work, P1 with just CC.

CC square on chart: Move both yarns behind the work, K1 with just CC. Then move both yarns to the front of the work, P1 with just MC.

Italian Cast On
Instructions can be found here.

Kitchener Stitch
Instructions for grafting can be found here.

DIRECTIONS

Cowl
Make a slip knot with both MC and CC tog. Keeping CC over your thumb, use the Italian Cast On to CO 216 sts alternating between the 2 colors -- 108 in each color. The slip knot does not count as a st. Once the CO is complete, Remove the slip knot but do not unravel. Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Setup rnd: Using the Double Knitting technique, k the MC sts and p the CC sts.

Next round, establish chart: Work Chart three times around.

Work until you have completed two full repeats of the chart.

Final round: k the MC sts and p the CC sts. Cut CC leaving a tail to weave in.

Separate stitches, slipping MC sts to one needle, and the CC sts to another.

Using MC Kitchener Stitch the two halves together.

Unravel slip knot from CO. Weave in ends.

FINISHING
Block to measurements.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Kalliopi Aronis lives in the bustling city of New York. After teaching herself to knit she became completely obsessed and ended up with a china cabinet full of yarn and one exasperated mother. A fan of color and patterns, different colorwork techniques are her penchant when designing.

She can be found on Ravelry.