All About the Crest Cowl Pattern

After I finished working on the Array Cowl pattern, I was really eager to experiment further with mosaic knitting, so I decided to work on another möbius cowl project. I already knew what yarn I wanted to use for this project, as when I’d last attended Yarndale a few years ago, I’d purchased four skeins of DK weight yarn from Beehive Yarns that I was intending to eventually use for a möbius cowl project. I used two skeins of ‘Sunset Highway’ and two skeins of ‘Golden Olive’. I thought these colours would have some subtle contrast to make the design visible, whilst still looking quite harmonious together overall. 

I began the design process by knitting lots of experimental swatches. I didn’t have a particular motif in mind for the cowl, so I tried lots of different ideas to begin with. I then chose a favourite of these swatches to refine further; this original swatch was still very far from the final design I ended up with. I knitted several more iterations of my swatch, making small adjustments each time to reach a design I was happy with.

Once my final swatch was blocked, I was able to use the gauge information to decide on the final dimensions of the cowl and begin writing the pattern. I always like to write as much of the pattern directions as I can before I begin knitting the sample. For designs that use mosaic knitting, I like to include a chart as well as written instructions so knitters can use whichever they prefer. I personally like to use both and switch between using the chart for some repeats and the written instructions for others. 

When the pattern directions were complete I was really excited to begin knitting my cowl. I always find mosaic knitting very enjoyable to knit, and I like knitting möbius cowls too - the Crest Cowl is actually the fifth one I’ve designed! I found the stitch pattern very relaxing to knit. It has rows with more slipped stitches, as well as rows with more continuous portions of plain knitting, so I never found myself getting bored with the project. I love the finished cowl too, this is the first DK weight möbius cowl I’ve designed and I find it lovely and cosy to wear. I’m also very happy with how the stitch pattern looks on the finished cowl, with the triangles standing out more as you take a step back from it, and the textured purl stitches becoming more prominent when you take a closer look. 

Click the link below to check out the full details of the pattern.