Knitting the Boston South End
Cowl Knitting Pattern
Knitting the South End Cowl
This cowl reminds me of the narrow streets and apartments in the south end of Boston. The best part about this cowl knitting pattern is how quick and easy this is! It looks like there is stranding but that’s not the case. In the border there are knit and purl rows but otherwise every row is knit and there are slip stitches every 3rd and 4th row. This is a cowl that is squishy and warm and a beautiful accessory and also makes a wonderful gift.
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Yarn
Choose 1, 2 or 3 partial skeins of worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins because I was using up my stash. I had enough Denim to complete 2/3 of the cowl, and then used the Cape Cod Gray to finish up the final third. It is perfectly fine to use one color throughout or more than one, as many as you want.
This cowl is knit with wonderful Malabrigo Rios Yarn from Etsy → with Cape Cod Gray and Denim.
Aran Weight yarn
Then choose one color of an aran weight yarn.
For the aran weight yarn I chose Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn. Choose 1 color of whatever you like, there are no hard and fast rules here. For this project I used Light Gray.
From me to you → a coupon from Hobby Lobby that does not expire
Needles
Knitpicks Caspian Options Short Interchangeable Circular Set
Size 7 and 8 needles with a 16″ cord and a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches for the Malabrigo yarn. Gauge is not strictly important but if your style of knitting is loose or tight you will end up with a larger or smaller cowl, so adjust accordingly. Swatching does help!
Pattern
Boston South End Knitting Cowl Pattern Instructions
This pattern is also available in a pdf on Ravelry.
Cast on 112 stitches, place marker and join in the round.
Garter stitch border:
- Rows 1 and 2: Knit in Aran weight
- Row 3: Purl in worsted weight
- Row 4: Knit in Aran weight
- Row 5: Purl in worsted weight
- Row 6: Knit in Aran weight
- Row 7: Purl in worsted weight
- Row 8: Knit in Aran weight
Body of Cowl
Knitting Tip: Twist the yarns together when you begin a new row
- Row 1: Knit in Aran weight (Hobby Lobby)
- Row 2: With worsted weight: *K3, S1, repeat entire round (malabrigo)
- Row 3: With worsted weight: *K3, S1, repeat entire round (malabrigo)
- Row 4: Knit in Aran weight (Hobby Lobby)
Continue for as long as you want. I knit this about 12 inches long, then for the border, simply reverse the garter stitch border where you started out.
This pattern is written out in a pdf available on Ravelry