Book Review: 60 Quick Cowls

In a knitting group that I belong to on Facebook, someone recently asked what the big deal is about cowls. Why would someone knit a cowl instead of a scarf, she wondered.

Personally, I like the fact that all your knitting effort goes where you need it most, around your neck rather than hanging down your body.

Cowls also tend to be quicker projects because there is usually less knitting involved than in a 6-foot-long scarf, and people can see most of your knitting handiwork even when you’ve got a coat on (where a scarf might be tucked into your coat).

If all those reasons aren’t enough to get you interested in cowls, maybe the book 60 Quick Cowls: Luxurious Projects to Knit in Cloud and Duo Yarns from Cascade Yarns will pique your interest.

Another in the 60 Quick series published by Sixth & Spring Books, this one uses two Cascade yarns that combine merino wool and baby alpaca in different weights.

The book opens with a little information about the alpaca, which is nice I guess if you’ve never knit with or heard of alpacas before, but doesn’t really affect your understanding of or appreciation for the fiber if you’ve worked with it before.

It goes on to include 60 cowl patterns — the vast majority rated easy or intermediate, with none for beginners and only two for experts — covering a range of embellishment options and styles, from ponchos to loose loops and short cowls that hang close to the neck.

Many knitting techniques are represented here including textured stitches, stranded knitting, slip stitches, stripes, intarsia, cables, bobbles, lace and entrelac. One project is mostly crochet — granny squares with a knit edging.

There’s so much variety here (check out all the patterns on Ravelry) that there’s likely to be something to suit just about everyone. Some of my favorites include a chunky Fisherman’s Rib cowl in a solid color, a sweet little monochrome project using welts, a zig-zag combo of lace and textured stitches and a brightly colored, stripes and chevron number that slides down over the shoulders.

Book specifications: 156 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 60 patterns. Sixth & Spring Books, published November 2015. Suggested retail $17.95

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.

Have you read?

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

What to Know Before Casting On