During the summer of 2018, I had the pleasure of test knitting the Storyteller Hat pattern for Lindsey Faciane, the designer behind The Chesapeake Needle. It was my first time test knitting anything, and I was thrilled to be allowed this privilege as a budding knitter. I enjoyed making the hat so much that I decided to find another way to use the stitch pattern used in that design. The result is the Storyteller Cowl, my first and still my most popular pattern, named after the hat which inspired it.
Below is the pattern, which I am posting here as a free pattern. Much thanks is due to Lindsey for inspiring this design.
Storyteller Cowl
Notes on Modifications
This pattern is especially amenable to modification. If you would like a wider or narrower cowl, simply cast-on more or fewer stitches, making sure your cast-on stitches equal a multiple of 4. To make the cowl deeper or shallower, work more or fewer repeats of rows 1-12 from the instructions for the body of the cowl. I have seen many lovely variations on this pattern, so if you’re looking for inspiration for how to make this pattern your own, I highly suggest taking a look at the Ravelry project pages for this pattern. You’re sure to be inspired.
Finished Measurements (easily modifiable)
Depth – 12.5in / 31.5cm
Circumference – 30in / 76cm
Gauge
19 sts x 19 rows = 4” in Mock Honeycomb stitch
Yarn
Sample used
2 skeins Kenyarn DK in colorway “Desert Highway”
to substitute, use
approximately 370 yards DK weight yarn.
Note: yardage listed is for a cowl that is 12.5” deep, and more yardage will be required if you prefer to knit a deeper cowl.
Note: Since this cowl was designed, Jake has closed the yarn dyeing portion of his creative business, so the yarn used in this sample is no longer available. Any DK weight yarn will work. My own naturally dyed Edoras DK would make a lovely version.
Needles
US #7 (4.5mm) 24” circular knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions
one stitch marker
Pattern abbreviations
k – knit
k1tbl – knit 1 through the back loop
p – purl
sm – slip marker
st/sts – stitch/stitches
wyif – with yarn in front
Instructions
Cast on 192 sts, using long-tail cast-on or preferred stretchy cast-on. Place marker.
Join to work in the round, making sure that your stitches aren’t twisted.
BOTTOM RIBBED BORDER
Rounds 1-8: *k1tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round, sm.
BODY OF COWL
Round 1: k to end of round, sm.
Round 2: *sl3 wyif, k1, repeat from * to end of round, sm.
Round 3: k to end of round, sm.
Rounds 4 & 5: repeat rounds 2 & 3.
Round 6: k1, *pick up the two strands of yarn that were passed in front of your work from rounds 2 & 4 and place on left needle, knit these two strands together with next stitch, k3, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, k2, sm.
Round 7: knit to end of round, sm.
Round 8: k2, *sl3 wyif, k1, repeat from * until 2 sts remain in round, sl 2 wyif, sm, sl 1 wyif.
Rounds 9: knit to the end of the round, sm.
Rounds 10 & 11: repeat rounds 8 & 9.
Round 12: *k3, pick up the two strands of yarn that were passed in front of your work from rounds 8 & 10 and place on left needle, knit these two strands together with next stitch, repeat from * to end of round, sm.
Repeat rounds 1-12 seven more times.
TOP RIBBED BORDER
Rounds 1-8: *k1tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Bind off, using standard bind-off or preferred bind-off method. You want a bind-off edge that is stretchy but not so loose that it flares.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends. Block to desired dimensions.
Enjoy!
