Soft, cuddly vibes with a minimalist-influenced aesthetic, the Broadford Cowl is knit on circular needles, making it a dream to work up.  Just cast-on and go!

Featuring the ultra-defining Half Twisted Rib Stitch, similar to regular rib, except it holds the structure of each stitch together more tightly resulting in gorgeous volume and stitch definition.  

Our LOLL yarn features a special blend of Merino Wool and Baby Alpaca fibers creating soft-as-a-kitten warmth and squishiness. Sustainably sourced and 100% naturally soft, (not chemically softened), LOLL is grown in the beautiful highlands of Peru and Argentina and spun in a Fair Trade Certified facility.

With cashmere-like softness, LOLL is not too chunky or hot, making it a perfect choice for all of your upcoming projects (hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets, cowls, interiors accessories). And because it's naturally anti-itch, it's perfect for all those baby gifts you want to make or for anyone who is sensitive to the itch of natural wool.

PROJECT SKILL LEVEL : EASY

Easy projects are perfect for any knitter who has completed a few beginner projects and are comfortable making simple stitches like KNIT & PURL . Easy projects are great for those looking to take their skills to the next level. Easy projects might have simple increases and decreases for shaping, color work and knitting in the round techniques.

TIME TO MAKE

6-7 Hours

PATTERN SIZE

Adult : One size

PROJECT MEASUREMENTS

Finished Circumference : 20" 
Finished Height: 14.5"

GAUGE

19 stitches in 1x1 Half Twisted Rib stitch x 17 rows = 4" x 4" square

TECHNIQUE TUTORIAL VIDEOS & ILLUSTRATIONS

We've made learning easy! Easily reference our library of tutorial videos and step-by-step illustrations with just a click of your mouse. Look for tutorial links embedded throughout the pattern, and when in doubt, just click and learn!

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT GAUGE 

Taking some time before starting a knit project to make a gauge swatch can make all the difference between project success and total complete frustration.

A gauge swatch will tell you if you are knitting too tightly or too loose for the pattern you are creating. It helps make sure that what you are knitting will measure out and fit just right. If you are new to knitting, you can also think of the gauge swatch as a test run for learning your stitches before you start your main project.

Cast-on with the recommended gauge swatch stitch count and knit the number of rows indicated in the above product details to achieve gauge.  Once finished, your swatch should measure out to 4” x 4”. If your swatch comes out too small, it means you are knitting too tightly, so loosen up your stitch tension a bit. If your swatch comes out larger than 4”x 4”, you are knitting too loosely, so tighten up your stitch. Once you have found your gauge, unravel your swatch & begin knitting your project! 

PROJECT NOTES

This project is knit using the 1x1 Half Twisted Rib pattern which is similar to regular 1x1 Rib except you Knit through the back loop of each Knit stitch instead of the front. This creates a beautifully crisp and professional looking rib pattern. 

This project is knit in the round using 2 different sized circular needles. The smaller sized needle tightens up the stitch size and creates a beautiful border edge treatment.

If you would like to review  knitting techniques before you begin your project, scroll to the bottom of the pattern for links to our How-To Technique Videos related to this pattern.

How to Use Circular Knitting Needles - Joining In The Round

PATTERN ABBREVIATIONS

1x1 Half Twisted Rib
K1tbl: Knit 1 stitch (through the back loop)  
P: Purl Stitch

PATTERN

1. Using the 4mm circular knitting needles and a 6”-8” long yarn tail, Cast-On 100 stitches using the ALTERNATING CABLE CAST-ON METHOD FOR 1X1 RIB.

ALTERNATE CAST-ON METHOD:  If you find  the Alternating Cable Cast-On Method for 1x1 Rib a challenge, you can Cast-On Using the Longtail Cast-On Method instead. You will need a yarn tail approximately 65-70" in length for this method.  


TIP: Pairing 4mm needles with this yarn will create a beautiful tight border pattern, Using such a small needle is a bit tricky to cast on with, as the stitches are that much tighter and will require a bit more guidance over the needles. Try and keep the cast-on stitches loose so you can easily get your needle through them.  


2.  Set Up Row: *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * to the end of row.

3.  Place a stitch marker on your right needle and join the work in the round, being careful not to twist any stitches. 

 4.  Rounds 1 & 2: *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * to the end of the round. Transferring the stitch marker from the left to the right needle at the end of each round.

This completes the first border section.

5.  Switch to the 8mm circular knitting needle for the next knitting round.

TIP: To transfer your work over from the smaller to the larger needles, take your larger needle and begin knitting each stitch off the smaller needle , placing the newly knitted stitches on to the larger needle. For that first transfer stitch, make sure the working yarn is taut so you don’t get a loose stitch (it will still be attached to the other end of the smaller needle). While you knit and transfer over the stitches, push that other smaller needle to the back of your work and out of the way as you won’t be using it during this process. Once you knit all the stitches off the smaller needle, continue on with the larger needle only.   

6.  Round 4 & onwards: *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * until work measures 14” from the cast on edge.

TIP: When you reach the last 10" of your first ball of yarn,  join the next ball using the Magic Knot Method. This is our favorite way to join yarn balls together in the middle of our work because it completely eliminates the need to weave in any ends! 

7.  Once your work measures 14” from the cast-on edge, and you've knit to the end of the round, switch back to the 4mm circular needle for the next knitting round.

8.  Using your 4mm Knitting Needle, knit the next 3 rows in Half Twisted Rib: K1tbl, P1

FINISHING

9.  There are two options for binding off your work.

Bind-Off #1: You can bind off using a regular BIND-OFF in 1x1 rib pattern (where you will bind off by continuing to knit the Knit stitches and purling the Purl stitches). This is a nice stretchy bind-off, however it does leave a visible line of V’s along the edge of your work.

Bind-Off #2: For a more “seamless” looking bind off,  use the TUBULAR BIND-OFF METHOD. (We will be creating an instruction video soon, in the mean time, please google Tubular Bind-Off instructions)

10.  Once you bind-off all stitches and remove the last stitch from the needle, cut a yarn tail 8"-10" long. Using your knitters' sewing needle, sew the yarn tail through the first "bind-off" stitch (located right beside the yarn tail). This will force that higher stitch to blend down into the lower stitch and remove the "step" that is naturally created when you knit in the round and  you will have a beautiful and smooth bind-off edge. 

Weave in the rest of the yarn tail

CLOSING UP THE CAST-ON ROUNDS

11.  Insert the cast-on yarn tail through the knitters sewing needle and close up the open two rows of your cowl by weaving through each open side, carefully mimicking the yarn direction of the cast on stitch pattern.

12.  Once the work is closed up, weave in the loose end and proudly sew on your Project Weekend x Me. woven label.

TECHNIQUE VIDEOS