A buttoned cowl adds a decorative layer over a coat and helps keep you warm in windy, freezing weather.
View the finished cowl
Finished buttoned cowl.
Separate the design into two stitch patterns
In this design, the lower section is worked in a dense elongated-stitch pattern, while the upper section is worked in mock English rib.
Begin the Butterfly stitch
Butterfly stitch
Calculate the stitch count
The stitch count must be divisible by 6, plus 2 edge stitches.
Work the setup row
Row 1 (setup): purl all stitches.
Work row 2
Row 2: edge stitch, slip 5 stitches to the right needle with yarn in front, knit 1. Repeat to the end of the row.
Work row 3 and all odd rows
Row 3 and all odd rows: purl stitches.
Work row 4
Row 4: edge stitch, knit 2, knit the 3rd stitch together with the strand carried in front, * knit 5, knit 1 together with the picked-up strand *, knit 3, edge stitch.
Work row 6
Row 6: slip 2 knit stitches with yarn in front, * knit 1, slip 5 stitches with yarn in front *, knit 3.
Work row 8
Row 8: knit 5, knit 1 stitch together with the picked-up strand.
Continue the staggered repeat
This staggered repeat of slipped stitches is worked every 4 rows.
Switch to mock English rib
Mock English rib
Note the pattern’s characteristics
Mock English rib is also lofty and reversible, but less open than classic English rib. It is worked without yarn overs, using knit and purl stitches; the repeat is 2 rows.
Work row 1
Row 1: knit 3, purl 1.
Work row 2
Row 2: knit 2, purl 1, knit 1.
Repeat the two rows
Repeat rows 1 and 2 of mock English rib.
Begin the scalloped edge
Scallops
Prepare the edging
The lower edge of the cowl has a scalloped finish, worked as follows:
Work rows 1–4
Rows 1–4: stockinette stitch.
Form the fold line in row 5
Row 5: knit 2 together, 1 yarn over.
Work row 6
Row 6: purl all stitches.
Fold and hem the edge
Then fold the fabric along the line corresponding to row 5 and hem it from the wrong side with invisible stitches.
Begin the main section
How to knit a roomy buttoned cowl
Set the sequence for the right half
Lower section (right half):
Knit the lower right half
Cast on 26 stitches and work 10 cm in stockinette stitch. Work the edge stitches as knit stitches on every row. Next, work a scalloped-edge row for a neat fold. Continue with the lower section in Butterfly stitch and work another 10 cm.
Move to the main section
Main cowl section
Knit the main section
Increase evenly by 24 stitches, then switch to mock English rib and work this pattern for 36 cm.
Move to the left half
Lower section (left half)
Knit the lower left half
Return to the original stitch count (26) and work 10 cm in Butterfly stitch. For the lower edge, work the scallops and 4 rows of stockinette stitch, then bind off all stitches.
Prepare for assembly
Assembly
Assemble the cowl
Fold the lower right half of the cowl along the scalloped line and sew it to make a pocket. Hem the edge on the left half as well. Thread the left half through the pocket and sew on decorative buttons.
How do I calculate the cast-on for the Butterfly stitch?
The stitch count must be divisible by 6, plus 2 edge stitches.
What lengths of the cowl sections does the source specify?
The lower right half is 10 cm of stockinette stitch and 10 cm of Butterfly stitch; the main section is 36 cm of mock English rib; then work a 10 cm lower left half in Butterfly stitch.
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