Pattern Release: The Cornucopia Cowl

Hi Makers! Hannah here, the designer, knitwear blogger, and maker behind Bears Den Essentials (@bearsdenessentials). It’s the season of gratitude, and there’s lots that I am thankful for right now. During the chaos of this time of year, I often find that one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, gets lost in the bustle between Halloween and Christmas. To celebrate the beautiful array of colors of the season, I’ve designed a quick, colorful, and fun fair isle pattern that’s perfect for newer knitters looking to try out stranded color work for the first time. Introducing…the Cornucopia Cowl!

This vibrant fair isle cowl design that uses Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn in five colors celebrates the cornucopia of colors we find ourselves surrounded by during the season of gratitude. It’s a perfect project for people looking to tackle their first fair-isle pattern, as it offers easy color changes and a clear stranded pattern chart for you to follow.

Cornucopia, also called “the horn of plenty,” is a symbol of abundance and nourishment. As any crafter knows, the process of making is incredibly nourishing to us emotionally, so enjoy the abundance of colors in this project, which complement one another to create a beautiful “pop” against the snowy and gray landscape that winter brings. Plus, the cozy and soft yarn provides an added layer of warmth for blustery days. Happy knitting makers!

For a PDF version of the pattern, head to our Ravelry page here, or order online directly from us here.

MATERIALS: 

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick Yarn 

[106 Yards (97 meters) | 170 grams (6 oz) | Super Bulky Weight (Category 6)]

• Cowl requires 5 skeins (1 in each color): Main Color (MC), Contrast Color 1 (CC1), Contrast Color 2 (CC2), Contrast Color 3 (CC3), & Contrast Color 4 (CC4)
• RECOMMENDED COLORS: MC – “Petrol Blue”, CC1 – “Cranberry”, CC2 – “Pumpkin”, CC3 – “Grass”, & CC4 – “Butterscotch”

Yarn Yardage: 

Knitting Needles: 

-US Size 13 (9.00mm) Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles 16” (41cm)

Notions:

-Clover Jumbo Stitch Ring Markers – 1 unique stitch marker for marking the end-of-the-round

-Jumbo Darning Needle

-Clover Row Counter

-Clover Yarn Cutter Pendant

-Clover Knitting Needle Point Protectors (recommended but not required – helps prevent stitches from slipping off the needles)

GAUGE:

Approx. 11 sts/14 rounds = 4 inches square in pattern stitch (after blocking) using 9.0mm/US 13 needles

SIZE INFORMATION:

The Cornucopia Cowl is designed to be slouchy and sized to fit over an average adult’s head (22”-24”) onto their neck. Model has a 23” circumference head.

Finished Measurements:

Finished Circumference: 23” (59 cm)

Finished Width (from top to bottom): 9.5” (24 cm)

Abbreviations and Stitch Glossary:

• Approx: Approximately
• CO: Cast on [Note: The beginning of the cowl is cast on using the Chinese Waitress CO method (or any preferred method).]
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Rnd(s): Round(s)
• Pm: Place marker (place down one stitch marker)
• M(s): Stitch marker(s)
• Sm: Slip the stitch marker over
• Stockinette Stitch created by knitting each stitch of every round
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• WS/ RS: Wrong side of the work / Right side of the work
• “ / cm(s): Inch(es) / Centimeter(s)
• 1x1 Rib(bing): Knit 1, Purl 1

PATTERN:

 CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW: This cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up, starting and ending with a 1x1 ribbing. Body of cowl entails colorwork to create a lovely fair isle design. For the fair isle design, follow the stranded pattern stitch chart to work the fair isle portion on the body of the cowl. The cowl is worn slightly slouchy and meant to be bulky for added warmth. Since it’s made with 80% wool yarn, I recommend blocking it before wearing, and then moving forward hand wash it gently with your preferred wool wash.

BOTTOM RIBBING:

With size US 13 (9.00 mm) circular needles and MC yarn, cast on 64 sts using the double chain (Chinese Waitress) Cast On. Place stitch marker, then join in the round. Be careful not to twist the yarn.

Round 1-4: K1, p1 around to end-of-round marker, sm.

BODY:

Using MC, CC1, CC2, CC3, & CC4 yarn start working in the stranded pattern according to the chart below in stockinette stitch, repeating this pattern 4 times in each round.

You will be working 25 rounds. 

Piece should measure ~8.5” (24cm) from CO edge. Don’t worry too much about gauge for this project.

TOP RIBBING:

Round 1-4: K1, p1 around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Cut yarn leaving roughly 12” (30 cm), thread yarn through remaining st, pull tightly, and secure on WS.

FINISHING:

Block and weave in ends.
  

STRANDED PATTERN CHART: Read the chart from bottom upwards, each round from right to left. 

I hope you had as much fun making this beanie as much as I did designing it for you! Don’t forget to follow Bears Den Essentials on social media and to share your finished projects tagging @BearsDenEssentials and with the hashtag #BearsDenInTheWild! Follow our blog to stay up-to-date on a matching Bitterroot Sagebrush tank top and sweater pattern that will be coming out soon as well.

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DESIGNER AND PATTERN INFORMATION: All patterns, text, products, and photos are property of Hannah Jaicks and Bears Den Essentials. Patterns and photographs cannot be distributed, copied in part or in whole, re-written, or re-sold without permission—electronically or physically. You may sell your finished products made using Bears Den Essentials patterns as long as you provide a direct link to this pattern in your listing and tag us on social media: @bearsdenessentials. For any other use, please contact us directly (Hannah: bearsdenessentials@gmail.com). Thank you for supporting artists by using and sharing our content ethically and legally.

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