Three-Color Infinity Cowl

Skill level: Beginner (easy stranded colorwork in the round)
Construction: Bottom-up, worked in the round

A cozy infinity cowl in worsted-weight yarn with three colors. Ribbed edges frame a simple geometric Fair Isle band. Worked as a long double loop (~56") or a shorter single loop (~29").

Sizes

A (B): Single loop (double loop / infinity)

Finished circumference: 28¾ (56)" / 73 (142) cm
Finished height: 10" / 25.5 cm (both sizes)

Shown in Size B.

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4).

MC (Main Color): 110 (220) yd / 100 (200) m
CC1 (Contrast 1): 45 (90) yd / 41 (82) m
CC2 (Contrast 2): 35 (70) yd / 32 (64) m

Sample suggestion: 3 solid colors with good contrast (e.g., cream MC, navy CC1, rust CC2).

Needles

• US 8 / 5 mm circular, 16" / 40 cm for Size A or 32–40" / 80–100 cm for Size B (or size to obtain gauge)
• Optional: US 7 / 4.5 mm for ribbing if you prefer a firmer edge

Notions

Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

Gauge

20 sts and 26 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette and in Chart A, after blocking, on larger needles.
Check gauge in the round. Change needle size if needed.

Abbreviations (US)

BO bind off · CC contrast color · CO cast on · k knit · MC main color · p purl · pm place marker · rnd(s) round(s) · st(s) stitch(es)

Notes

• Worked in the round from the bottom edge up. Join being careful not to twist.
• Colorwork is stranded (Fair Isle): carry unused yarn loosely on the wrong side. Floats are never longer than 4 stitches.
• Charts are read right to left on every round (right side always facing). Repeat the 8-st motif around.
• Catch floats every 3–4 sts if you prefer extra-secure strands; not required for this 4-st max float.
• When changing colors at the start of a round, twist yarns to close the jog slightly, or work a jogless stripe if you know it.

Charts

How to read: Each square is 1 stitch. Work Chart A in stockinette (knit every stitch). Repeat the 8-st repeat around. Rounds numbered bottom to top. All rounds RS: read right to left.

Color key
□ = MC
■ = CC1
● = CC2

CHART A: Geometric Band (8-st repeat × 12 rnds)

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

(Repeat of 8 sts: positions 1–8 from right to left as you knit.)

Stitch count per repeat: 8 sts. Size A: 18 repeats (144 sts). Size B: 35 repeats (280 sts). ✓

CHART B: Simple 2-color stripe (optional extra band) (4-st repeat × 4 rnds)

4: □□■■
3: □■□■
2: ■■□□
1: □□□□

Key: □ = MC, ■ = CC1. Use if you want extra color before Chart A. 4 sts × 36 (70) = 144 (280) ✓.

Pattern

Cast on

With MC and larger needle (or smaller if using ribbing needle), CO 144 (280) sts using a stretchy cast-on (long-tail or German twisted).
Pm and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Lower rib

Rnd 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rnd 1 until rib measures 1½" / 4 cm.

Setup stockinette

With MC, knit 2 rnds.

Colorwork

Join CC1 and CC2. Do not cut MC.

Work Chart A Rnds 1–12 once, repeating the 8-st motif 18 (35) times each round.
144 ÷ 8 = 18 ✓ · 280 ÷ 8 = 35 ✓.

(Optional: work Chart B Rnds 1–4 once in MC/CC1 before Chart A; then Chart A.)

Cut CC1 and CC2, leaving 6" / 15 cm tails.

Upper stockinette

With MC, knit 4 rnds (or until piece measures about 8½" / 21.5 cm from CO, including rib).

Upper rib

Rnd 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat until rib measures 1½" / 4 cm. Total height about 10" / 25.5 cm.

Bind off

BO loosely in rib (or use a stretchy bind-off such as Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy BO) so the top edge matches the cast-on stretch.

Finishing

Weave in all ends on the WS, weaving along matching color floats where possible.
Block: Soak in lukewarm water, squeeze (do not wring), and lay flat. Gently even the fabric so the colorwork lies flat and floats are not pulling. Pin circumference and height to schematic measurements. Let dry completely. Colorwork benefits from blocking so stitches bloom and even out.

Schematic (blocked)

Size A:  28¾" circumference  ×  10" height
Size B:  56"  circumference  ×  10" height

Customization

• Height: Add or subtract MC knit rounds between rib and Chart A.
• Texture instead of colorwork: Seed or 1×1 rib throughout; keep CO a multiple of 2. For Chart A you need a multiple of 8.
• Yarn: DK–bulky also works if you recast using your gauge: desired inches × (sts per inch). Recheck that CO is a multiple of 8 for Chart A.

Color management (beginner)

Carry both unused colors on the WS when all three are in play (Chart A Rnds 3–11). Keep floats even and slightly looser than the knitting so the fabric does not pucker. Spread stitches on the right needle after each motif. Twist yarns at the start of the round only as needed to avoid holes.

Enjoy your cowl.