Betty’s Two By Two Twisted Cable Buttoned Cowl

Materials:
1 skein of Loops and Threads Charisma, bulky:5, 3.5 oz./100 g, 109 yd./100 m, Color: Navy (You can get three cowls out of two skeins)
1 size US 10 (8.00 mm) 24-inch (60 cm) long circular needle
2 large wooden buttons 2 inches in diameter
1 cable needle or 1 size US10 (8.00) double pointed needle.
1 Tapestry needle or darning needle to sew on buttons.

Notes:
This pattern contains twisted cables (C5pF) worked over an odd number of stitches (5), that are superimposed onto an underlying k2, p1 rib pattern.  There are cables with 3 crosses alternating with cables with 2 crosses, and the cable crosses are staggered so that in the cabled section, cable crosses are being made on either the 2-cross cables or the 3-cross cables on every right-sided row.  Because of the way the cables are alternated, there needs to be an odd number of cables, so a pattern repeat is 12 stitches,  or 2 cables, wide.

Abbreviations:
C5pF = slip 2 stitches off onto the cable needle and hold them in front of your work. Knit the next two stitches, purl the next stitch, then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle.

Cast on 98 stitches.
Row 1: p2, k7, *p1, k2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 2: k2, p7, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 3: p2, k7, *p1, k2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 4: K2, p2, bind off 3 sts purlwise, p2, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 5: p2, k7, p1, *C5pF, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1 repeat from * until 15 sts remaining, C5pF, p1, k2,
cast on 3 sts, k2, p2. (buttonhole).
Row 6: k2, p7, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2
Row 7: p2, k7, *p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, C5pF, p1, repeat from * until 15 sts left , k2, p1, k2, p1,k7, p2
Row 8: k2, p7, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2
Row 9: p2, k7, *p1, C5pF, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, repeat from * until 15 sts remaining, C5pF, p1, k7, p2
Row 10: k2, p7, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts remaining, k1, p7, k2
Row 11: P2, k7, *p1, K2, p1, k2, p1, C5pF, p1, repeat from * until 15 sts left , K2, p1, k2, p1 k7, p2
Row 12: K2, p2, bind off 3 purlwise, p2, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 13: p2, k7, p1, *C5pF, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1 repeat from * until 15 sts remaining, C5pF, p1, k2,
cast on 3 sts, k2, p2. (buttonhole).
Row 14: k2, p7, *k1, P2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2
Row 15: p2, k7, *p1, K2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, p1, k7, p2
Row 16: k2, p7, *k1, P2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, k1, p7, k2
Row 17: p2, k7, *p1, K2, repeat from * until 10 sts left, p1, k7, p2
Bind off knit stitches knitwise and purl stitches purlwise, weave in ends and enjoy!

 

Helen’s Horseshoe Cable Neck Warmer

1 skein of Loops and Threads Charisma, bulky:5, 3.5 oz./100 g, 109 yd./100 m, Color: Bouquet (You can get three neck warmers out of two skeins)
1 size US 10 (6.00 mm) needles
2 large buttons 2 inches in diameter
1 cable needle or 1 size US10 (6.00) double pointed needle.
1 Tapestry needle or darning needle to sew on buttons.

Cast on 16 sts.
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: knit
Row 4: K4, p8, k4
Row 5: Knit
Repeat rows 4 and 5 three more times
Row 6: K4, P8, K4.
Row 7: K2, P2, K8, P2, K2.
Row 8: K4, P8, K4.
Row 9: K2, P2, K8, P2, K2.
Row 10: K4, P8, K4.
Row 11: K2, P2, C2B, C2F, P2, K2.
Row 12: K4, P8, K4.
Repeat rows 7 through 12 until piece measures 20 inches.
Row 3: K2, P2, K8, P2, K2.
Row 21: k3, bind off 3, k4, bind off 3, knit 3
Row 22: k3, cast on 3, p4, cast on 3, knit 3
Row 23: K4, P8, K4.
Row 24: K2, p2, k8, p2, k2
Row 25: K4, P8, K4.
Row 26: Purl
Row 27: Knit
Bind off purlwise, weave in ends and enjoy.

Twisted Cable Neck Warmer

Materials:
1 skein of Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Serenity, bulky:5, 3.5 oz./100 g, 109 yd./100 m, Color: Dark Forest (color discontinued)
1 size US 10 (8.00 mm) needles
3 large wooden buttons 2 inches in diameter
1 cable needle or 1 size US10 (8.00) double pointed needle.
1 Tapestry needle or darning needle to sew on buttons.

Cast on 26
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: knit
Row 3: knit
Row 4: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 5: K5, p16, k5
Repeat rows 4 and 5 three more times
Row 6: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 7: K5, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k5
Row 8: K3, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2 k4, p2, k3
Row 9: K5, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k5
Row 10: K3, p2, C4F, p2, C4F, p2 C4F, p2, k3
Row 11: K5, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k5
Repeat rows 8 through 11 until piece measures about 20 inches.
Row 12: K3, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2 k4, p2, k3
Row 13: K5, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k5
Row 14: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 15: K5, p16, k5
Row 16: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 17: K5, p16, k5
Row 18: K3, p2, bind off 3, k4, bind off 3, k4, bind off 3, p1, k3
Row 19: k4, cast on 3, p4, cast on 3, p4, cast on 3, p2, k3
Row 20: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 21: K5, p16, k5
Row 22: K3, p2, k16, p2, k3
Row 23: knit
Row 24: knit
Row 25: purl
Bind off, weave in the ends, and enjoy!

Twisted Cable Buttoned Cowl

Twisted Cable Buttoned Cowl

Materials:
1 skein of Loops & Threads Charisma, bulky:5 yarn, 3.5 oz/100 g. 109 yds/100 m, color: Northern Lights.
2 large wooden buttons 2 inches in diameter.
US10 (6.0 mm) 24-inch circular needle.
A cable needle (or you can use a size US10(6.0 mm) double pointed needle instead).
At least one stitch marker for a row marker.

Notes:
This pattern contains a twisted cable worked over an odd number of stitches (5). Usually, in such instances, the larger number of stitches would be crossed over the smaller (3 over 2), which has the effect of making the cable twists “puffier.” However, since that was not the effect I wanted, I wrote the pattern so that 2 stitches are crossed over 3. Purling the odd stitch helps ease the space those 2 stitches are required to cross in order to form the cable twist, and makes the cable twist less prominent. See below for explanation.

If you want a looser cowl, this pattern is worked in multiples of 14 stitches (a cable panel plus a ribbed panel). You can add a 5-stitch ribbed panel at one or both ends, to increase the overall length by as much as 10 stitches, or you can add a cable+rib panel combination to one end to increase the overall length by 14 stitches.

Cast on 97 stitches
Row 1: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 2: K2, p7, *k1, p1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 3: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 4: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2.
Row 5: P2, k7, *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k7, p2
Row 6: K2, p2, bind off 3 purlwise loosely, p2 *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2. (buttonhole).
Row 7: P2, k7 *p2, C5pF p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 repeat from * until 15 stitches left, p2, C5pF p2, k2. cast on 3 stitches, k2, p2.
Row 8: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2.
Row 9: P2, k7, *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k7, p2.
Row 10: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2.
Row 11: P2, k7, *p2, C5pF p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 repeat from * until 18 stitches left, p2, C5pF p2, k7, p2.
Row 12: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p5, k2.
Row 13: P2, k7, *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k7, p2
Row 14: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2.
Row 15: P2, k7 *p2, C5pF p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 repeat from * until 15 stitches left, p2, C5pF p2, k2, bind off 3 stitches loosely, purlwise, k2, p2. (button hole).
Row 16: K2, p2, cast on 3, p2, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2, p7, k2.
Row 17: P2, k7, *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k7 p2.
Row 18: K2, p7, *k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, repeat from * until 18 stitches left, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p7, k2.
Row 19: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 20: K2, p7, *k1, p2, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 21: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Bind off knitted stitches knitwise and purled stitches purlwise. Weave in ends. Enjoy.

Abbreviations:
C5pF = slip 2 stitches off onto the cable needle and hold them in front of your work. Knit the next two stitches, purl the next stitch, then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle.

Braided Cable Buttoned Cowl

Materials:
1 skein (almost exactly) of Loops and Threads Charisma, bulky:5, 3.5 oz./100 g, 109 yd./100 m, Color: Electric Blue
1 size US 10 (8.00 mm) 24-inch (60 cm) long circular needle
2 large wooden buttons 2 inches in diameter
1 cable needle or 1 size US10 (8.00) double pointed needle.
1 Tapestry needle or darning needle to sew on buttons.

Note: If you knit loosely, you will need to drop back to a size US9(5.5 mm) needle or you will need more than one skein of yarn.

Cast on 103 stitches.
Row 1: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 2: K2, p7, *k1, p1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 3: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 4: K2, p6, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 5: p2, k7, p2, *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 6: K2, p2, bind off 3 purlwise, p2, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 7: P2, k7, p2, *C6F, k3, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * until 6 stitches left, k2, cast on 3 stitches k2, p2.
Row 8: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 9: p2, k7, p2, *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 10: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 11: P2, k7, p2, *k3, C6B, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 12: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 13: p2, k7, p2, *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 14: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 15: P2, k7, p2, *C6F, k3, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 16: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 17: p2, k7, p2, *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 18: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 19: P2, k7, p2, *k3, C6B, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from until 9 stitches left, k2, bind off 3 knitwise, k2, p2.
Row 20: K2, p2, cast on 3, p2, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 21: p2, k7, p2, *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x2, k1, p2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, k7, p2.
Row 22: K2, p7, k2, *p9, k2, (p1, k1) x2, p1, k2, repeat from * until 9 stitches left, p7, k2.
Row 23: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Row 24: K2, p7, *k1, p1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, k1, p7, k2.
Row 25: P2, k7, *p1, k1, repeat from * until 10 stitches left, p1, k7, p2.
Bind off fairly tightly. Bind off knit stitches knitwise and purl stitches purlwise. Weave in ends. Enjoy!

The Mail Lady’s Twisted Cable Cowl

The matching hat is here.

3 skeins of fingering weight (super fine:4) yarn in any combination you like.
A US10 (6.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle.
A cable needle (or you can use a size US10(6.0 mm) double pointed needle instead).
At least one stitch marker for a row marker.

Locate the yarn end from each skein, and knot the three ends together. Knit using all three strands of yarn at the same time. I find it’s easier to work with if I roll the combined yarns into a single ball, rather than trying to deal with pulling yarn from three separate skeins at the same time. You will want to make sure you catch all three strands of yarn with every stitch. On the other hand, you can use any bulky:5 weight yarn.

This pattern features a twisted cable worked over an odd number of stitches (5), with a purl stitch in the middle to add definition. See below for explanation. If you want a looser cowl, this pattern is worked in multiples of 14 stitches (a cable panel plus a ribbed panel).

Cast on 84 stitches
Rows 1-7: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 8: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 9: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 10: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 11: *p2, C2p2F p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 repeat from * to end of row
Row 12: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Repeat rows 9-12 two more times
Row 13: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 14: *p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row
Rows 15-21 : *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Bind off knitted stitches knitwise and purled stitches purlwise. Weave in ends. Enjoy.

Abbreviations:
C2p2F = slip 2 stitches off onto the cable needle and hold them in front of your work. Knit the next two stitches, purl the next stitch, then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle.

How To Put On and Take Off A Small Diameter Cowl Without Trashing Your Hairdo

Putting the cowl on:
If there’s a right side up to the design, turn it upside down.
Then:
1. Grasp the side nearest you with one hand.
2. Grasp the side farthest from you with the other hand.
3. Hold the part of the cowl nearest you underneath your chin.
4. With your other hand, pull the other side of the cowl up over your head.

Taking the cowl off:
1. With one hand, hold the cowl against the back of your neck.
2. With the other hand, grasp the part of the cowl that is directly under your chin.
3. Pull the part of the cowl that’s under your chin out, up and off over your head.

Yes, it’s just that simple.

JT’s Cabled Man Cowl

The matching cap can be found here.

Materials:
1 skein Lion Brand Homespun Thick and Quick, bulky:5, 6 oz/170 g, 185 yd/169 m, Color “Pearls”
1 size U.S. 10 (6.00 mm) 16-inch (40 cm) long circular needle
1 cable needle.
1 row marker.

Gauge: 4 stitches = 1 inch. 3 rows = 1 inch.

Cast on 100, place row marker, join to knit in the round.
Rows 1-6: *p1, k1 repeat from * to end of row.
Row 7: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 8: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 10: *C6F, k3, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 11: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 12: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 13: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 14: *k3, C6B, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 15: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat rows 8-15 twice more.
Row 16: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 17: *k9, p2, (k1, p1) x3, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 18-23: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Bind off knit stitches knitwise and purl stitches purlwise. Weave in ends. Enjoy!

Below is another one done in Lion Brand Homespun Thick and Quick, bulky:5, 6 oz/170 g, 185 yd/169 m, Color “Wild Fire” on the same size needles.  I like the colors in this yarn.

WOL’s Owl Cowl

Matches WOL’s Owl Hat

Materials:
2* Skeins Premier Yarns Deborah Norville “Serenity” Chunky, bulky:5, 109 yds/100m, 3.5 oz/100g, color shown is Dark Forest, which has been discontinued.
Needles US size 10(6.0 mm)
Cable needle
Optional — 16 buttons to use as owl eyes (eight owls)
Needle and thread to sew buttons on for owl eyes.

Gauge: 3 stitches per inch

Abbreviations:
C4F: slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle
C4B: slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, k2,k2 from cable needle

Cast on 88
Rows 1-6: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 7-8: Knit.
Rows 9-11: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 12: *p3, C4B, C4F, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 13-19: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end of Row.
Row 20: *p3, C4B, C4F, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 21: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 22-23: *p3, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1. repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 24-25: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 26: *p3, C4B, C4F, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 27: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 28-29: Knit.
Rows 30-36: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of row.
Bind off knit stitches knitwise and purl stitches purlwise.

Note: The pattern as written makes a fairly small diameter cowl that will fit closely about the neck; however, the pattern can be easily modified if you like your cowls to have a wider diameter. For measuring purposes, figure approximately 3-3/4 inches (9 cm) per owl. The owl motifs are done in multiples of 11 stitches, but the 2×2 ribbing at the top and bottom requires the total number of stitches on a row to be evenly divisible by 2. So long as you have an even number of owls, just multiply the number of owls x 11 to get the cast on number (8 owls x11 = 88 stitches, 10 owls = 110 stitches, 12 owls = 132 stitches, etc.) and go with the pattern as written. However, if you want an odd number of owls, you’ll end up with an uneven number (7 owls at 77 stitches, 9 at 99, 11 at 121, etc.). Therefore, you’ll need to cast on one less than the total number of stitches you’ll need for the number of owls you want (number of owls x 11), then make 1 stitch (m1) on row 7 and do one k2tog on row 28. For example, for 9 owls, you would need 99 stitches (9×11). Cast on 98, work the bottom ribbing, make 1 stitch (m1) on row 7 for 99 stitches to work 9 owls, then do a single k2tog on row 28 to get back down to 98 stitches to work the top ribbing. Apart from those two modifications, work the rest of the pattern as written.

*If you’re a tight knitter, 1 skein would be just enough.