purlJam

<pattern>

# STRIPED SAMPLER COWL

A cozy medium-width cowl showcasing seven different stitch patterns in coordinating colors. Perfect for practicing various techniques including corrugated ribbing, simple colorwork, eyelets, and lace—all in one beautiful accessory.

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner  
**Finished Measurements:** Approximately 27" circumference × 11" height

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (#4 Medium)
- **Color A:** 150 yards
- **Color B:** 100 yards  
- **Color C:** 100 yards
- **Total:** Approximately 350 yards

*Sample shown in: Color A = Charcoal Gray, Color B = Cream, Color C = Dusty Rose*

**Needles:** 
- US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 16" length (or size needed to obtain gauge)

**Notions:**
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

---

## GAUGE

18 stitches × 24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch, worked in the round

**To check gauge:** Cast on 24 stitches, work in stockinette stitch in the round (or flat, working back and forth) for 5". Measure over center 4" square. Gauge is critical for proper fit.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** = knit
- **p** = purl
- **yo** = yarn over
- **k2tog** = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **RS** = right side
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **rep** = repeat
- **MC** = main color
- **CC** = contrast color
- **pm** = place marker
- **sm** = slip marker

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- This cowl is worked in the round from bottom to top.
- The stitch count remains 120 stitches throughout all pattern bands.
- When working corrugated ribbing, carry the non-working yarn loosely across the wrong side. Do not twist yarns.
- For colorwork sections, strand the unused color loosely across the back, keeping floats no longer than 5 stitches.
- Change colors by bringing the new yarn up from underneath the old yarn to prevent holes.

**Corrugated Ribbing Technique:** In corrugated ribbing, knit stitches are worked in one color and purl stitches in another. Hold one color in your right hand and one in your left for easier color changes, or drop and pick up colors as needed. Keep floats loose to maintain elasticity.

---

## COLORWORK CHARTS

### CHART A: Corrugated Rib Pattern
**4-stitch repeat × 1 row**

```
Round 1: [■ ■ □ □] repeat around
```

**Key:**
- **■** = Knit with Color A
- **□** = Purl with Color B

**Instructions:** Work the 4-stitch repeat 30 times around (30 × 4 = 120 sts). Read chart from right to left.

---

### CHART B: Diamond Colorwork Pattern
**12-stitch repeat × 12 rows**

```
Row 12: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Row 11: ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Row 10: ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■
Row 9:  ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■
Row 8:  ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■
Row 7:  □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■
Row 6:  □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■
Row 5:  ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■
Row 4:  ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■
Row 3:  ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■
Row 2:  ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Row 1:  ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
```

**Key:**
- **■** = Knit with Color A
- **□** = Knit with Color B

**Instructions:** Work the 12-stitch repeat 10 times around (10 × 12 = 120 sts). Read all rounds from right to left. Rows are numbered from bottom to top. Strand unused color loosely across back of work.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### CAST ON & BAND 1: Ribbing Foundation

With Color A and circular needle, cast on 120 sts using long-tail cast on. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker (pm) to indicate beginning of round.

**Setup:** *Stitch count check: 120 sts*

**Rounds 1-2:** *K2, p2; repeat from * around. (2 rounds completed)

---

### BAND 2: Corrugated Ribbing

Join Color B. Work following Chart A.

**Rounds 3-10:** *K2 with Color A, p2 with Color B; repeat from * around, working the 4-stitch pattern repeat 30 times. (8 rounds completed)

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (30 repeats × 4 sts = 120)*

Break Color B. Continue with Color A only.

---

### BAND 3: Eyelet Pattern

Change to Color C. Break Color A.

**Round 11:** Knit all sts.

**Round 12:** *K2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk; repeat from * around. (12 sts per repeat × 10 repeats = 120 sts)

**Round 13:** Knit all sts.

**Round 14:** *K1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k3; repeat from * around.

**Round 15:** Knit all sts.

**Round 16:** *K2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk; repeat from * around.

**Round 17:** Knit all sts.

**Round 18:** *K1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k3; repeat from * around.

**Round 19:** Knit all sts.

**Round 20:** *K2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk; repeat from * around.

**Round 21:** Knit all sts.

**Round 22:** *K1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k3; repeat from * around.

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (each yo is paired with a decrease)*

Break Color C.

---

### BAND 4: Diamond Colorwork

Join Colors A and B. Work following Chart B.

**Rounds 23-34:** Work Chart B (12 rounds), repeating the 12-stitch pattern 10 times around each round. Read chart from right to left, bottom to top.

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (10 repeats × 12 sts = 120)*

Break Color A. Continue with Color B only.

---

### BAND 5: Seed Stitch

With Color B:

**Round 35:** *K1, p1; repeat from * around.

**Round 36:** *P1, k1; repeat from * around.

**Rounds 37-46:** Repeat Rounds 35-36 five more times. (12 rounds total completed)

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (even number required for seed stitch pattern)*

Break Color B. Join Color C.

---

### BAND 6: Lace V-Pattern

With Color C:

**Round 47:** Knit all sts.

**Round 48:** *K3, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k3; repeat from * around. (12-st repeat × 10 = 120 sts)

**Round 49:** Knit all sts.

**Round 50:** *K2, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k2; repeat from * around.

**Round 51:** Knit all sts.

**Round 52:** *K1, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, ssk, k1; repeat from * around.

**Round 53:** Knit all sts.

**Round 54:** *K2tog, yo, k8, yo, ssk; repeat from * around.

**Round 55:** Knit all sts.

**Round 56:** *K1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k3; repeat from * around.

**Round 57:** Knit all sts.

**Round 58:** *K2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k4; repeat from * around.

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (each yo is paired with a decrease)*

Break Color C. Join Color A.

---

### BAND 7: Ribbing Finish

With Color A:

**Rounds 59-66:** *K2, p2; repeat from * around. (8 rounds completed)

*Stitch count check: 120 sts (divisible by 4 for 2×2 rib = 120 ÷ 4 = 30 pattern repeats)*

---

### BIND OFF

Bind off all stitches in pattern (k2, p2) using a stretchy bind-off method. Do not bind off too tightly.

**Suggested Stretchy Bind Off:** K1, *k1, insert left needle into both stitches on right needle and knit them together through back loops, p1, insert left needle into both stitches on right needle and knit them together through back loops; repeat from * until all stitches are bound off.

---

## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side, following the color paths to hide ends.
2. For colorwork sections, weave ends through floats of the same color.
3. Block cowl to finished measurements by soaking in cool water with wool wash, gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), and lay flat to dry on a towel. Shape to dimensions while wet.
4. For colorwork sections, blocking helps even out stitches and tension.

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This sampler cowl is designed to introduce knitters to multiple techniques in one project. Each band showcases a different skill:

- **2×2 Ribbing**: Classic elastic fabric
- **Corrugated Ribbing**: Two-color ribbing with texture
- **Eyelet Pattern**: Simple lace with yarn overs
- **Diamond Colorwork**: Stranded knitting with chart reading
- **Seed Stitch**: Reversible texture
- **Lace V-Pattern**: Decorative decreases creating chevron shapes

The medium circumference (approximately 27") makes this cowl comfortable to wear as a single loop that sits nicely at the neck without being too bulky.

**Color Selection Tips:** Choose three colors that coordinate well together. The sample uses a neutral dark main color (A), a light neutral contrast (B), and a soft accent color (C). Consider using a solid dark or medium tone for A, a lighter contrasting solid for B, and your favorite accent color for C.

**Customization Ideas:**
- Make the cowl taller by repeating any favorite band pattern
- Create a reversible cowl by working two shorter versions and binding off, then seaming the cast-on edges together
- Substitute any 12-stitch repeat colorwork pattern for the diamond chart
- Work the entire cowl in one color for a textured sampler

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
Circumference: 27" (laid flat = 13.5