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This striped, mesh-like cowl (infinity scarf) features a simple, easy-to-memorize stitch pattern. Alternating sets of “k2tog, yo” and “yo, ssk” worked over alternating stockinette and garter stitch sections create a wavy, chevron-y fabric, and an interesting play of colors and texture.

The cowl is knit in the round, starting with a single garter ridge followed by several rows knit in pattern, and finally another garter ridge before the bind off. If you’d like a more prominent garter stitch border you could work 4 or 6 garter stitch rows after the CO and before the BO.

Yarn – The pattern lends itself nicely to all kinds of yarn and color combinations (solid + solid / solid + variegated / semi solid + variegated, etc). For the sample shown in the photos, I used approximately 450 yards of yarn – about 230 yards of a painted, two-color sport weight yarn (Henry’s Attic Superwash Sport Paints) as the main color, and 220 yards of a solid fingering weight yarn (Cascade Heritage Sock Solids) as the contrast color.

Finished Dimensions

68” circumference x 8” depth

Needles

US size 6 or 4mm needles (40” or 32” length)

Notions

• Stitch markers
• Blocking pins and wires

Gauge

15.6 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (measured over pattern stitch after blocking)

Abbreviations

• CO – Cast On
• MC – main color
• CC – contrast color
• sts – stitches
• k – knit
• p – purl
• YO – yarn over
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together
• ssk – slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together
• sts – stitches

Instructions to knit the cowl

Cast on 266 stitches loosely, using the Main Color (MC).

You could cast on a different number of stitches depending on the size you want. Just make sure the number you’re casting on is a multiple of 14 and that you cast on loosely.

Join to knit in the round, taking care not to twist your stitches. Place a marker to mark the beginning of the round.

• Knit one row
• purl one row

1 garter ridge done. If you want a more prominent beginning border, work the two rows above 2 more times (4 more rows). Otherwise, skip to next step.

You will now start working in the main striped-lace stitch pattern. The following four rows make up the pattern stitch (worked over a multiple of 14 stitches).

Optional: Place a marker after every repeat if you’d like to. You’ll have to use 19 markers including the beginning-of-round marker, but it makes knitting the cowl easier and minimizes mistakes.

Switch to CC –

Row 1 – *K8, (yo, ssk) 3 times*, rpt from * to * till end of round
Row 2 – *p7, k7*, rpt from * to * till end of round.

Switch to MC –

Row 3 – *(k2tog, yo) 3 times, k8*, rpt from * to * till end of round.
Row 4 – *k7, p7*, rpt from * to * till end of round.

Repeat rows 1-4 (rows 1 and 2 in CC and rows 3 and 4 in MC) thirteen more times (total 14 repeats) or till the cowl is about half an inch shorter than the desired width. Slip markers as you go (if using).

Then knit rows 1 and 2 once more (in CC).

To end:

Switch to MC –

• Purl one row
• Knit one row

If you worked 4 extra rows for the beginning border, then work the two rows above 2 more times (4 more rows). Otherwise, skip to next step.

Loosely bind off all stitches knitwise.

Wet block to desired measurements; weave in ends.