FREE KNITTED COWL PATTERN

My goal of posting daily was certainly derailed by Christmas Emergency Knitting. Surprisingly, I got everything done (and we ALL were knitting early Christmas morning, right?)
Actually, I knit daily--and continuous for the most part.  My favorite was my child-size Little Red Riding Hood cape:  this time in pink with white faux fur trim.  I'll post that pattern and a link to Ravelry when I get some better photos.

Today's pattern is for this:

Twist Stitch Knit Cowl

On Christmas day I was busy knocking out a few ribbon barrettes for my niece and finishing her pink knitted cape.  They day after...we were in Christmas "chill-out" mode and as I dug around for a small project to work on, I heard my husband say "Must. Make. SOMETHING." I rolled my eyes and he reminded me that he's close to sending me to anti-crafting therapy.  Seriously, I just hate to sit around.  I can knit simultaneously, so what's the big deal Crafting Grinch?
So, what I finished was the Twist Stitch Knit Cowl.  Extremely easy.  Matches the hat I've already posted.  Awesome for your "after Christmas Christmas gifts."  Or, for yourself, as I'm probably keeping this one : )

THE PATTERN:  EASY  Twist Stitch Knit Cowl

MATERIALS: 

Yarn: Lion Brand Country in Hampton Sunset.  Time will tell to see how it holds up as the yarn has minimal twist.  Approximately 1/2 a skein or less (2 - 2.5 oz required for cowl).  This yarn is very pretty though...I hope it lasts!

Needles:  Size 10.5, circular would be best regardless if you knit it flat and seam or knit in the round.  Example shown was knitted this flat and seamed at the end.

Crochet hook:  5.5 mm or larger

Gauge and Measurements:  Finished cowl is 7" including the Cast on and Cast off edges.  Width is ~18 inches.  This is enough to go over MY head, but I have a kid's sized head.  Simply increase the # of stitches to make it wider. 

Gauge in stitch pattern is 10 st x 16 r = 4 inches.

INSTRUCTIONS

Pattern stitch: Twist knit.  If you need more details than what is shown below, see the post on the matching hat

Row 1:   Purl (ws)

Row 2:  ktbl (rs) 

(To knit in the round, alternate twist ktbl rounds with plain k rounds)

To begin:  Cast on 45 stitches or # of stitches sufficient to produce width to go over wearer's head.  45 stitches is on the smaller side, as I have a 6 7/8 size head.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 24 total rows or until you have knitted the length you desire.  I hate overly "stacked" cowls," so this one is shorter.


Cast off knitwise and seam side. 


Using crochet hook add a row of crochet chain just below the cast-off edge and just above the cast-on edge.  If you need more detail here, see the photos with the hat pattern.  (If I were to knit this again, I would probably cast ON differently, likely using a provisional cast on, leaving a very long tail and then removing waste yarn later casting off knitwise to provide a firmer edge.  If you look at the photo above, you can see the cast on edge isn't as crisp.  Regardless, it's a minimal difference.)


Weave in ends.

Edge with crochet chain