Reverse stockinette stitch doesn’t get enough credit! The Retrowhirl Cowl is a close fitting, slouchy, endlessly customizable reverse stockinette cowl that can be knit in as few or many colors as your little heart desires.

The magic is that the entire cowl is knit top down and inside out, helix style, so there’s absolutely no purling, no carrying yarn up the inside, and no unsightly jogs between stripes. (Ok, I lied, there’s a little bit of purling in the ribbed edges. But only a little!) Stitches are increased every couple of inches so the cowl flares gently out around the shoulders.

Instructions are provided for both a single-color version, as well as a multicolored stripey version for using up scraps.

There’s also a matching hat! Find the Retrowhirl Hat pattern here: RETROWHIRL Hat

Save $2 by adding both the hat and cowl patterns to your cart! No coupon needed! Discount applies automatically at checkout.

US knitting terminology used throughout.

Join the Yarn Hellions podcast first ever knit-along May 21 through July 2, 2021!

We’ll be casting on our Retrowhirl hats & cowls in Episode 13 which airs May 21, 2021, will share our progress in Episode 14 on June 4 and on Instagram all month long using hashtag #YHRetrowhirlKAL, and we’ll show our finished projects in Episode 15 on July 2!

More information on our YouTube channel or Instagram.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS One size: 18 in / 46 cm long and 23 in / 58.5 cm around

YARN REQUIRED Approximately 600 yards / 549 m fingering weight yarn total

SINGLE COLOR PURPLE SAMPLE SHOWN IN Approximately 521 yards / 477 m of Superfine Yarn Co. Erie Single (100% superwash merino, 400 yards / 367 m) fingering weight yarn in colorway Pennyroyal

SUGGESTED NEEDLES US 3 / 3.25 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge) circular needles

Gauge is not important, however different yarn/needles/gauge will affect yarn required and finished measurements

ADDITIONAL NOTIONS tapestry needle; scissors; 1 stitch marker in a unique color to mark BOR; 2 additional markers for helix color changes (optional)

GAUGE 28 sts and 40 rnds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round on larger needles, gently blocked

SKILLS REQUIRED Casting on stitches, knowledge of basic knitting stitches including simple increases and decreases, helix knitting on circular needles (instructions & video tutorial provided)

I love seeing your finished projects! Please share on social media using hashtag #RetrowhirlCowl and #ChristineParkerCo and tag me on Instagram @ChristineParkerCo so I can see & share it!