How to Knit a Cashmere Cowl

A cowl is basically a long knitted tube. It is worn around the neck usually over a winter coat. If the cowl is long enough, it can be worn over the head as a scarf and hat combination. Knitting a cowl is fairly simple. All you have to know is how to cast on, knit in the round and cast off. Although you can make a cowl out of any material, cashmere is both extremely warm and luxurious.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cashmere yarn
• Circular knitting needles
• Measuring tape

1. Choose your yarn and needles. Since there is a variety of cashmere yarn available you have a wide selection of options. For a lace weight you'll need around 350 yards, worsted around 250 yards and bulky weight will require 200 yards.

2. Knit up a gauge swatch. This will help you determine both if you like the size needles you are going to use and to find out how many stitches per inch you have with the yarn and needles.

3. Measure your gauge swatch with the measuring tape. You will need to know the number of stitches per inch.

4. Multiply the number of stitches per inch times 18. The cowl is going to be 18 inches around in order to comfortably fit around your face and head. So if you have six stitches per inch, you'll need to 108 stitches to make the 18-inch cowl.

5. Cast on the number of stitches that you determined in Step 4. Join in the round. Make sure that the stitches aren't twisted.

6. Knit in the round until cowl is the length that you want it. You can create a thin cowl that will just cover your neck or a longer one that is more draped.

7. Cast off all the stitches. Weave in the ends.