Bundle and Save with Wool & Pine Patterns! Add 3 or more to your cart and get 20% off—no code needed.

Calliope Nest Cowl is a cozy, reversible cowl designed around a woven looking textured stitch inspired by the intricate nests of the tiny Calliope hummingbird.

It’s worked in the round holding a strand of fingering weight yarn with a strand of lace mohair, creating a warm lightweight fabric with depth and softness. The textured exterior surrounds a smooth stockinette lining so the inside feels gentle against the skin.

This is an especially fun project for stash yarn and fades. You can work soft color transitions, use leftovers from a larger project (we used our Sorrel leftovers), or keep it simple with two colors. The lining is also a great place for a contrast pop.

Video tutorials are included for the threaded stitches.

Design Details

The reversible construction pairs a woven textured exterior with a stockinette lining tucked inside. The two layers create structure and softness at the same time, giving the cowl body while still feeling comfortable to wear.

You can shift colors as often as you like. Fades, coordinated palettes, or simple two color versions all work beautifully, and the lining offers a natural place for a pop of contrast.

Pattern Highlights

• Reversible design with a textured exterior and smooth lining
• Stash friendly and great for fades or leftovers
• Fingering weight + mohair fabric with warmth and softness
• Two lengths so you can choose a short or wrap style cowl

Construction Overview

Calliope Nest Cowl is worked in the round beginning with a provisional cast on.

The textured outer layer is knit first using threaded stitches while changing colors as desired. After reaching the desired height, the project transitions to stockinette in the round to form the lining.

The lining is tucked inside and joined to the provisional cast on using Kitchener stitch, creating a fully reversible double layer cowl.

Yarn Notes

We knit our sample holding fingering weight yarn together with laceweight mohair, and it really suits this stitch pattern. The fingering weight yarn gives the threaded stitches definition, while the mohair softens the texture and blends color changes across the fabric.

It creates a fabric with depth and a gentle cozy feel, and it also makes fades especially forgiving and fun to play with.

Shown in:
Spun Right Round Classic Sock — 438 yd (400 m) / 100 g
Spun Right Round Mohair Silk — 459 yd (420 m) / 50 g

Needles & Gauge

US 5 (3.75 mm) 16” circular needle
Adjust needle size as needed to achieve gauge.

20 sts x 28 rows = 4” x 4” in stockinette on US 5, wet blocked

Yardage Requirements

C1: 75 (150) yards / 20 (40) g
C2: 75 (150) yards / 20 (40) g
C3: 75 (150) yards / 20 (40) g
C4 (lining): 225 (450) yards / 50 (100) g
Mohair: 450 (900) yards / 50 (100) g

(For stashbusting, use a color family for the textured side and a contrasting color for the lining.)

Finished Measurements

Small: 27” circumference x 10” wide
68.5 cm circumference x 25.5 cm wide

Large: 54” circumference x 10” wide
137 cm circumference x 25.5 cm wide

Let’s Knit Together

This pattern includes video tutorials, and we’d love to have you in our community. Join the Wool & Pine Cottage on Discord for pattern support, progress shares, and a friendly place to knit alongside others.

Join us here: https://discord.gg/M64Ec9yeng

#stashbusting