Athenaeum Cowl by Kelly Menzies

Athenaeum Cowl

Knitting
November 2025
Any gauge - designed for any gauge ?
33 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches
in pattern stitch Fingering weight
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
295 - 569 yards (270 - 520 m)
One Size
English
This pattern is available for £4.00 GBP buy it now

The Athenaeum Cowl
Inspired by the quiet beauty of library shelves and the comforting rhythm of reading.

The Athenaeum Cowl is a textured, rhythmic knit that captures the calm order of books on a shelf — neat, structured, and full of hidden stories.
This pattern includes two styles and two yarn weights, giving you four variations in one design:

✨ Short version — a snug cowl that slips neatly under a coat.
✨ Long version — a double-wrap for extra warmth and drape.
Yarn options: Fingering weight or DK weight.

The stitch pattern is easy to memorise and soothing to work, making it a perfect project for peaceful evenings or audiobook sessions.

Whether you’re knitting by lamplight or tucked up with your favourite story, the Athenaeum Cowl is a celebration of quiet creativity.

The pattern offers two weights of yarn: Fingering or DK.

Sizes: Short, (Long)

FINISHED CIRCUMFERENCE (Fingering & DK):
70, (119) cm / 27.5, (46.75) in
FINISHED WIDTH (Fingering weight): 23.5 cm / 9.25”
FINISHED WIDTH (DK weight): 30 cm / 11.75”

FINGERING WEIGHT GAUGE – AFTER BLOCKING:
10x10cm (4” x 4”) = 33 sts x 38 rnds, 3.5mm / US 4 in pattern st
10x10cm (4” x 4”) = 17 sts x 38 rnds, 3.5mm / US 4 in stocking st

DK WEIGHT GAUGE – AFTER BLOCKING:
10x10cm (4” x 4”) = 26 sts x 30 rnds, 4mm / US 6 in pattern st
10x10cm (4” x 4”) = 24 sts x 30 rnds, 4mm / US 6 in stocking st

FINGERING YARN:
Approx 290 (520) m / 320 (569) yds 4 ply / sock / fingering weight.
Shown in Madrigal Yarns 100% Merino, shade Desert
100% Merino 400 m / 438 yds per 100g skein.
https://madrigalyarns.com/
Also shown in The Dye Shack Sock Yarn, shade Aubrey
100% Merino 400 m / 438 yds per 100g skein.

DK YARN:
Approx 270 (500) m /295 (547) yds DK yarn.
Shown in King Cole Homespun, Shade Winter Sky
23% Polyamide, 10% Viscose, 22% Wool, 23% Acrylic, 22% Alpaca
50g = 175m / 192 yds
https://www.kingcole.com/product/homespun-dk

FINGERING WEIGHT: 3.5mm / US 4, 60cm / 24 in circular needles
DK WEIGHT: 4mm / US 6, 60cm / 24 in circular needles