Details
This cowl is my first lace pattern, and it has been a bit of an experiment for me. Like a lot of knitters, I am instinctively drawn to lace. I’ve always known I liked patterns which combined cables and lace and I wanted to make something beautiful with them in, but I am put off by the time and investment required for the huge, elaborate shawls some people make. I went through quite a process of making this – you can read about it on my blog.
The name Constanze was the name of Mozart’s wife. I visited Salzburg at Christmas 2010 and the name stuck with me.
Yarn
200m (one 50g ball) of Cygnet truly wool rich 4ply in ‘Dove’. Needle: 3.25mm Notions: 2 markers, crochet hook, 4 buttons (if making cowl). Gauge: the blocked cowl is 9 inches across, each pattern repeat is 1.25 inches deep and the cowl is 30 inches long.
Pattern notes (read me!)
This pattern looks a lot harder on paper than it is, but it is still a little tricky due to the use of both cables and lace stitches and the fact that there are no plain rows. The wrong side rows (even numbers) are only comprised of a combination of knit and purl stitches. The pattern is not symmetrical overall, although the central portion is. However, I found it quite easy to get into and once I had got the grip of it, it does start to make sense and become familiar.
Do make sure to read the abbreviations below – the crossovers are slightly unusual and there are two distinct types of double decrease used.
The number of stitches decreases to 68 for rows 3 and 4, then goes back up to 70 for the remaining pattern repeats.
Abbreviations
6RC = [slip 4 stitches to a cable needle and hold at back, k2, k4 from cable needle] 6LC = [slip 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold at front, k4, k2 from cable needle] 3LC = [slip 2 stitches and hold in front, p1, k2 stitches from cable needle]. 3RC = [slip 1 stitch and hold in back, k2, p1 from cable needle]
4RC = [slip 2 stitches and hold at back, k2, k2 from cable needle] 4LC = [slip 2 stitches and hold at front, k2, k2 from cable needle] sl2-k1-p2sso = slip 2 stitches as if to k2tog, k1, pass two stitches back over the knit stitch. sl1–k2tog–psso = slip 1 stitch, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over.
Pattern
Cast on 70 stitches and work 7 rows in garter stitch. Then begin the pattern repeats
Row 1: k4, k1, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p1, ssk, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo. 4RC, [on row 1, place marker here], yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, k6, p2, k6, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, [on row 1, place marker], 4LC, yo, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p1, ssk, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k1, k4.
Row 2: k4, p5, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p18, k2, p19, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p4, k4.
Row 3: k4, k1, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, p1, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k4 [marker], yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, 6RC, p2, 6LC, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo [marker] k4, yo, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, p1, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k3, yo, k1, k4.
Row 4: k4, p7, k1, p2, k1, p9 [marker], p9, k2, p9 [marker], p12, k1, p2, k1, p4, k4.
Row 5: k4, (k1, yo) twice, ssk, p1, (k2tog) twice, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, yo, 4RC, [marker], yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, k4, 3LC, 3RC, k4, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo [marker] 4LC, yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p1, (k2tog) twice, yo, k5, yo, k1, k4.
Row 6: k4, p8 , k1, p1, k1, p10 [marker], p7, k1, p4, k1, p7 [marker], p13, k1, p1, k1, p5, k4
Row 7: k4, k1, yo, k3, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, p1, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k4 [marker], yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, k4, p1, crossover [alternate between 4RC and 4LC on alternate pattern repeats], p1, k4, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, k4, yo, ssk, yo, k3, yo, sl1- k2tog-psso, p1, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, k4.
Row 8: k4, p1, (p3, k1) twice, p12, [marker], p7, k1, p4, k1, p7 [marker], p6, (p3, k1) twice, p7, k4.
Row 9: k4, k1, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k4 [marker], yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, k4, 3RC, 3LC, k4, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo [marker] k4, yo, ssk, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, k4.
Row 10: k4, p4, k1, p2, k1, p13 [marker], p9, k2, p9 [marker], p9, k1, p2, k1, p8, k4.
Repeat rows 1 – 10 until scarf reaches desired length. For the picture, I did 20 repeats, but if you wanted to make it a scarf you could just keep going. Pattern continues on next page.
Knit a further 7 rows in garter stitch and bind off loosely. Block – the pattern really needs blocking to allow the lace to ‘bloom’.
Using the crochet hook and spare yarn, crochet four button loops at even intervals along the cast on edge. Sew four corresponding buttons on to the cast off edge. Enjoy!
About the designer
Alyssa is a young-ish new-ish London based knitter and designer (mostly of accessories, but only because she can’t afford the wool to make a full jumper). Her blog, Knitting Glasses, can be found at http://knittingglasses.wordpress.com.
