We’re so excited to share our newest free blog pattern with our space cadets! The Port Elizabeth cowl was created for fibre space™ by one of our favorite designers, the very talented Ann Weaver (who is a genius with color!) This color-blocked cowl lets you play with your favorite Brooklyn Tweed LOFT colors in a simple, playful design that you can wear with anything. We will have this beautiful cowl at the shop this weekend, so you can check it out in person. On that note, if you are headed into town for Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend, come by the shop to pick up some of this amazing American-grown Targhee-Columbia wool. It’s a dream to work with. Light and delicate to knit with, but transforms into a strong and sturdy fabric—a rare combination! We’ll also be handing out free fibre space™ tote bags so you MSWF-goers will have something to stuff your yarn into!
-Daphne
Port Elizabeth
by Ann Weaver
The first design in my series inspired by container ships and ship breaking, this cowl is named for the stacks of containers in the working shipyard of Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, which I drive past on my trips from Boston to the Washington, DC, area.
Port Elizabeth is worked in one piece as three tiers. The first tier of squares is knit flat and then seamed to make a loop. The stitches for the next tiers of squares are picked up from the edge of this loop, and the tiers are joined to these live stitches as they are knit.
Supplies
- 1 skein Brooklyn Tweed Loft (fingering weight; 100% American wool; 275 yds/50g per skein) each in Foothills (A), Truffle Hunt (B), Plume (C), Blanket Fort (D), and Hayloft (E). Actual yardage used: 100 yds A, 150 yds B, 65 yds C, 65 yds D, 65 yds E.
- 16-inch circular needles in US#7 (5.5mm), US#5 (3.75mm), and US#4 (3.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge, two sizes smaller than size needed to obtain gauge, and three sizes smaller than size needed to obtain gauge
- An extra needle (straight, circular, or double-pointed): US#5 (3.75mm) and US#4 (3.5mm), or appropriate size for gauge
- 2 stitch markers
- Darning needle
Gauge
20 sts and 40 rows / 4″ square / garter stitch on largest needle
To save time, take time to check gauge.
Finished Measurements
24″ circumference at widest point, 17″ tall
Squares
Square A
Knit 60 rows.
Square B
Knit 10 rows, ending with a WS row. On last row, place markers after st 5 and st 25.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Knit to m, purl to next m, knit to end.
Repeat (Rows 1 and 2) 20 times.
Removing markers, knit 10 rows.
Square C
Knit 20 rows, ending with a WS row. On last row, place markers after st 10 and st 20.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Knit to m, purl to next m, knit to end.
Repeat (Rows 1 and 2) 10 times.
Removing markers, knit 20 rows.
Instructions
Tier 1
Using A and largest needle, CO 30 sts using long-tail method. Work Square B. Cut A and join B. Work Square A. Cut B and join A. Work Square C. Cut A and join B. Work Square A. BO. Seam ends of piece together to form a loop.
Tier 2
With RS facing and starting at seam, using B and smaller needle, pick up and knit 30 sts along the edge of each square (1 stitch in every other row)—120 sts total. Note: Pick up stitches along the edge with the color changes so that the cleaner edge is the bottom of the cowl.
Using live yarn and backwards-loop method, CO 30 sts. Using extra needle to work the stitches on the RS rows and circular needle to work the sts on the WS rows, work Square B, joining RS rows of square to live sts as follows: Knit to last st, slip this st, knit first st of live sts held on circular needle, psso.
Cut B, join C, and work Square B.
Cut C, join B, and work Square B.
Cut B, join C, and work Square B.
Bind off. Seam BO edge to CO edge.
Tier 3
Using D and smallest needle, pick up sts along top edge of Tier 2 as for beginning of Tier 2. Join RS rows of squares to live sts as for Tier 2.
Using D, work Square B.
Cut D, join E, and, work Square C.
Cut E, join D, and work Square B.
Cut D, join E, and work Square C.
Bind off. Seam BO edge to CO edge.
Weave in ends. Wet block.