This cowl was designed mainly with children in mind. Personally, I think a cowl is much better / safer option for keeping children warm in colder weather than a traditional scarf.

You don’t have any potential danger that could come from a scarf being wrapped too tight around the neck, also there is no risk of losing a cowl as it doesn’t just fall off like a scarf can.

Additionally, it has a very easy to memorise pattern making it a great travel knitting project!

The cabled pattern along with the double thick fabric and single loop design of the cowl also provide some structure to the cowl meaning it stays up around the neck keeping the wearer as warm as possible.

I have included instructions below for both a child size single loop cowl as well as an adult sized single loop cowl. However, these can easily be adjusted by using more yarn and knitting the pattern for longer to create a double loop cowl.

There are additional notes on other possible modifications you could make included at the end of the pattern as well.

What you will need:
• Yarn – Total amount of 150-200gm DK weight yarn (approx. 200m/220yds per 100gm); Yarn used in the sample is by At Haynes House on the Community DK base (100% Superwash Merino) in the Bob Says Hello Colourway.

• Needles – 4mm (US6) 16” circular for knitting in the round, and a spare set of needles in a smaller size for grafting.

• Gauge – Approximately 24 sts / 4 inch in cable pattern after blocking.

• Size – Child (Adult)

• The Child sized cowl is approx 20in (50cm) in circumference and 7in (17.5cm) in depth (this size uses approx. 130gm of DK yarn)

• The Adult sized cowl is 28in (71cm) in circumference and is approx 8in (20cm) in depth (this size uses approx. 200gm of DK yarn)

• Notions

o 1 Stitch Marker for marking the beginning of the round and 6/7 additional markers for marking pattern repeats
o Scrap yarn for provisional cast on
o Crochet hook in same or similar size as your knitting needle for provisional cast on
o A spare set of circular needles in the same size or smaller than for the main pattern for picking up the provisional cast on (length of cord is not important)
o A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and grafting.