INTRODUCTION

Satura

by Tonia Lyons

This luxurious cowl, knit in Malabrigo Mecha, a bulky, colorful yarn, uses a simple repeating slip-stitch pattern that enhances the beautiful color of this sumptuous yarn. The cowl is perfect for gifting — it uses just one skein of yarn for the small size, knits up quickly, and with a beautiful yarn like Malabrigo Mecha, would make a perfect gift for a special friend.

The cowl takes advantage of the beautiful color variations in this yarn. The slipped stitches are crossed every few rows to enhance those gorgeous colors. The pattern begins and ends with a mistake-rib pattern that seamlessly flows into the slip-stitch design.

There are three sizes available — the smallest size sits very close to the neck and uses one full skein of Malabrigo Mecha. The medium size is slightly looser and the largest size allows the lovely fabric to drape from the neck.

model: TJ Lyons
photos: Tonia Lyons

SIZE

 S[M, L]
shown in size small

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference:  19.5[25, 35.5] inches/ 49.5[63.5, 90] cm
Depth: 9 inches/23 cm – adjustable to preference

MATERIALS

Yarn
Malabrigo Mecha [100% superwash merino; 130 yd/120 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: Arco Iris; 1[2, 2] skeins

Yarn characteristics: This pattern is pretty flexible: any yarn that matches gauge would work. Something soft for comfort is always good, and look for wool or wool blends for warmth. The original yarn is superwash, for ease of care, but whether that matters depends on the wearer. A variegated yarn adds interest to the simple stitch pattern, but it works in any sort of colorway.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #10/6mm circular needle, 16-inch/40 cm for the smallest size, 24 inch/60 cm for sizes M and L.
single needle a size or two larger, for binding off.

Notions
stitch marker
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

16 sts/24 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette stitch
18 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Slip-Stitch pattern

PATTERN NOTES

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

If you wish to add more depth to the cowl (and have enough yarn), rep rnds 1-16 (ending after working Round 8 or 16). If you're not sure you have enough yarn to finish a full repeat of the pattern, you can end after working Round 8 and start the final four rows of rib.

There's no need to use a cable needle for the slipped stitches; they can just be held to the front of the work when they need to be crossed.

The marker needs to temporarily move by one stitch on Rounds 14 and 15 to maintain the pattern. At the end of Round 14, leave the final stitch of the round unworked, slip it to the right needle, remove the beginning of round marker, slip the stitch to the left needle, and place the marker for the new beginning of the round. After completing Round 15, remove the marker, knit one stitch, and place the marker for the original beginning of the round.

Full video tutorial of the cowl pattern.

1/2 LC: Drop the slipped stitch off the needle and hold it in front of the work; knit the next 2 stitches; then knit the slipped stitch, being careful not to twist the stitch.

1/2 RC: Slip 2 stitches to the cable needle, hold to the back of the work; knit the slipped stitch; then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.

CHARTS

Slip-Stitch Pattern
Worked over a multiple of 8 sts, in the round.
Rounds 1-2: K1, (sl 1 st wyib, k3) to last 3 sts, sl 1 st wyib, k2.
Round 3: (K1, 1/2 LC) around.
Round 4: Knit.
Rounds 5–6: K5, (sl 1 wyib, k7) to last 3 sts, sl 1 wyib, k2.
Round 7: K3, (1/2 RC, k5) to last 5 sts, 1/2 RC, k2.
Round 8: Knit.
Rounds 9-10: As per Round 1.
Round 11: Rep Rnd 3.
Round 12: Knit.
Round 13: K1, (sl 1 wyib, k7) to 7 sts, sl 1 wyib, k6.
Round 14: K1, (sl 1 wyib, k7) to 7 sts, sl 1 wyib, k5. Slip 1 stitch to right needle, remove marker, slip the stitch back to the left needle, place marker.
Round 15: (1/2 RC, k5) around. Remove end of round marker, k1, replace end of round marker.
Round 16: Knit.

DIRECTIONS

CO 88[112, 160] sts, place marker and join for working in the round.

Lower Edging
Round 1: (K2, p2) around.
Round 2: P1, (k2, p2) to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 once more.
Round 5: Knit around.

Next rnd: Work Slip-Stitch pattern around, working from chart or written instructions as you prefer.

Work as set, until you have completed three reps of the 16-rnd pattern.

Upper Edging
Round 1: K1, (p2, k2) to last 3 sts, p2, k1.
Round 2: (P2, k2) around.
Round 3: K1, (p2, k2) to last 3 sts, p2, k1.

BO, in (p2, k2) pattern, using the larger needle to work the stitches, to keep the edge relaxed.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Wash and lay flat to dry.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Tonia is a knitting teacher, writer, and designer living in Quebec, Canada. When she's not knitting, you can usually find her with a cup of coffee and a good novel.


Find more of her knitting-related designs and articles at toniaknits.com and knitting tutorials on her YouTube channel, Nerdy Knitting.

Pattern & images © 2021 Tonia Lyons