One size to fit an adult or teen (30”/ 76 cm circumference by 6.5”/ 1 6.5 cm wide). Instructions provided for modifying the size.

This pattern is available

Pattern-mixing ahoy! This bold cowl features a geometric pattern inspired by Moorish tilework on oneside, and a sweet, traditional gingham on the other. Totally reversible, there’s no wrong side here.

This cowl is knit in one piece, folded in half, and the provisional cast on is kitchener-stitched to the live edge, making for a double-thick, cozy cowl.

Mosaic knitting creates colourwork patterns by using only one strand of yarn per round, but slipping some of the stitches. So no wrangling multiple yarn strands in a single round! Hooray!

Size

One, for adults or teens: 30”/ 76 cm circumference by 6.5”/ 16.5 cm wide.

Brief instructions for making the cowl longer/shorter/narrower/wider are included in the pattern.

Yarn

Fingering-weight wool in three colours, in the following quantities:

Colour A (light): 200 yards/ 182 m

Colour B (mid): 290 yards/ 265 m

Colour C (dark): 72 yards/ 66 m

Sample knit in Quince & Co. Finch in colors “Egret” (colour A, 1 skein), “Clay” (colour B, 2 skeins) and “Sedum” (colour C, 1 skein).

The gingham pattern will only show if Colour B and C are different shades of the same colour. If you use different colours, you’ll get a kind of complex checkered pattern. If you’re not confident choosing light and mid shades to make the gingham pop, Brooklyn Tweed has an excellent post of choosing shades for colourwork here.

Needles and Notions

Size US 3 (3.25 mm) 24”/ 60 cm circular needle

Spare size US 3 (3.25 mm) or smaller circular needle at least 24”/ 60 cm in length, for Kitchener stitch.

1 stitch marker

Darning needle to weave in ends

Gauge

29 sts & 60 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in tile pattern.

29 sts & 66 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in gingham pattern.

(There’s no typo in the row gauge - row gauge is very condensed when knitting mosaic-style).

Skill Level

Advanced beginner - Intermediate. Mosaic knitting is one of the easiest forms of colorwork, but there’s a lot of kitchener stitch at the end!