Inside: Free pattern for the needle knit Ropw Cable Cowl. Includes written instructions and tutorial videos for right and left handed knitters.
Welcome to fall!
Fall means fresh apples, pumpkin spice lattes and cozy cowls.
I’m looking forward to cooler temps so I can show off the cables on my latest knit project.
The needle knit Rope Cable Cowl is sure to keep you cozy and warm. It features three classic rope cables nestled between columns of 2×2 ribbing. I used a soft, bulky (#5) yarn so it knits up quickly. You’ll finish this project in no time.
Pattern includes written instructions and links to fully captioned tutorial videos demonstrating the cables and seaming.
Needle Knit Rope Cable Cowl
By Kristen Mangus
An ad-free downloadable PDF of this pattern is available for purchase in my GoodKnit Kisses online store, Etsy or Ravelry at the links below:
MATERIALS
(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links costs you nothing, but helps support GKK.)
Yarn
Bulky (#5) weight yarn
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky (211 yds/5 oz., 193 m/142 g)
in color Mustard used in sample. 1 ball
Needles
US 10 (6 mm) needles
Knitter’s Pride Karbonz DPNs used in sample.
Notions
Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
Measuring tape
GAUGE 4 sts x 5 rows = 1” (2.5 cm) in 2×2 ribbing
SKILL LEVEL Beginner+
MEASUREMENT Approx. 9.5” wide x 29” long (24.13 x 73.5 cm) after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS
2/2LC = 2 over 2 Left Cable
K = Knit
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sl = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
New to knitting? I’ve got a How to Knit Beginner Video Series to teach you ALL the basics.
NOTES
The Rope Cabled Cowl features a single cable repeated every 6 rows.
Cast on: I recommend the long tail cast on.
Bind off: Bind off in pattern. “In pattern” means you knit the knits and purl the purls as you work your bind off.
Slip stitch: Slip stitch purlwise, bring the working yarn to front before slipping on a purl row.
2/2LC: 2 over 2 Left Cable. Remove next 2 sts with cable needle and let hang to front of work. Knit next 2 2 stitches making sure to draw up first stitch tighter. Next work 2 sts held on cable needle in order. Knitting may be tight for next row but will ease up on next cable row.
TIP: I used a letter J-shaped cable needle; take sts off with smaller end of J-hook then knit stitches in order using longer part of J-hook as you would from a needle.
Ribbing: 2 x 2 ribbing (knit 2, purl 2) is used in this pattern as the border for the cable.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 42 stitches.
Set Up for Cables:
Row 1 (WS): Sl. P2, K2. *P4. K2, P2 (twice). K2. Rep from * once til last 9 sts. P4, K2, P3.
Row 2 (RS): Sl. K2, P2. *K4. P2, K3 (twice). P2. Rep from * once til last 9 sts. K4, P2, K3.
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Cable Pattern:
Row 4 (RS): Sl. K2, P2. *2/2LC. P2, K3 (twice). P2. Rep from * once until last 9 sts. 2/2LC, P2, K3.
Rows 5-8: Rep Rows 1-2 twice.
Row 9: Rep Row 1.
Rep Rows 4-9 until approx 28.5” (72.5 cm).
Rep Rows 4-6 once. [Cowl should measure approximately 29” (73.5 cm).]
Bind off in pattern leaving long tail for seaming. Block cowl, if desired. I recommend blocking to make sure the bind off and cast on edges line up evenly for seaming.
Finishing:
From right side, sew cast on edge to bind off edge, without twisting the cowl, using the mattress stitch for ribbing. This technique is shown in the video linked above.
Weave in ends.
PIN IT!
Needle Knit Rope Cable Cowl Tutorial Videos
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The following tutorial videos demonstrate the 2 over 2 cables (both right and left cross shown in video) and mattress stitch seaming of ribbing. Videos are available for both right and left handers.