The Simpson Cowl, named for viol-player and composer Christopher Simpson, is a short cowl worked in the round featuring an all-over pattern of intertwining cable motifs. It’s part of the Twisted Strings collection - five accessory patterns inspired by the decorative tracery found on Baroque string instruments.

Skills & Techniques:
Knitting in the round, and working 1-over-1 cables which can be knit without a cable needle (instructions for my favourite twist method are included).

Materials Needed:
1 skein of Malabrigo Washted (100% superwash merino wool; 210yds/192m per 100g skein), or 201yds/184m of worsted-weight yarn. Sample colourway: ‘Pearl’. Note: if you are a loose knitter you may need to have an extra skein on hand.
You will also need a cable needle (optional), a stitch marker, and a needle for weaving in the ends.

Finished Measurements:
Relaxed after blocking: 22”/56cm circumference, and 8.5”/21.5cm depth.
To resize, cast on 12 additional/fewer stitches for a 2”/5cm change in circumference after blocking. You can also change the depth of the cowl by knitting additional/fewer repeats of the cable pattern: to add 3”/7.5cm of height, repeat Rounds 1-24.

Charts and written instructions are both provided in full.

Read more about the Simpson Cowl and its inspiration on my blog:
New collection: Twisted Strings

Tutorial: How to work mini-cables without a cable needle