Don’t Stop Me Now Cowl Pattern (free pattern)
Colorway Two
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Fun knit cowl that uses three different colors of yarn to create a unique fabric
The Don’t Stop Me Now Cowl is worked using the “ABC” color method of working with three different skeins of yarn at once.
December 1, 2020
Have you ever been standing in front of a beautiful wall of yarn at a fiber festival just in awe of all the colors and fiber blends? And you stand there, just staring, trying to decide what base, what colors, what project?! That’s me at just about every fiber show I attend. The possibilities are endless and the ideas are overwhelming.
Eventually you start to narrow the field. My process usually goes like this:
Oink Pigments boot at TNNA—the very definition of a wall of pretties to stand in front of and dream about!
Decide on a weight of yarn. Do I want this to be a quick project (bulky wall, here I come!)? Do I want it to be a lightweight project (it’s summer, so keep the fibers cool!)? Do I want a project that is not too labor intensive (worsted weight is a good option!)?
Decide on a base that speaks to me. Do I want to work with vibrant color with a sheen (silk blend!)? Do I want a deep color with a matte look (linen blend!)? Do I want to be sure it’s washable (superwash merino has my heart every time!)?
Decide on a color theme. Do I want to work with one color only (tonal solids are delicious!)? Do I want a variegated colorway (so many ways to dye variegated colors!)? Do I want to work with both (complimentary and contrasting colors are some of my favorites!)?
Play around with your color option. Make sure you are in good light and don’t be afraid to lay them down on a table and ask shoppers around you for their opinions. If you have a variegated yarn on the table, ask the dyers if they have anything knit up in that colorway or at least in that dye method so you can see how it looks. Keep in mind that the “ABC” method of changing colors in this pattern creates a completely different and unique look to your knitting.
So, “What is the ‘ABC’ method of changing color?” you ask. Excellent question. It’s really simple magic that allows you to work with three colors and not have to have a million tails or floats all over the place. So here goes the explanation . . .
By combining the ABC color changing method and slipped stitches, a unique fabric can be created!
When working flat (such as this cowl when you first start it):
Start with casting on in Color A and work the first row as the pattern states.
Drop Color A and join Color B and work row two as the pattern states.
Drop Color B and join Color C and work row three as the pattern states.
Now, when you get to the end of row three and you have Color C in your hand, what is there waiting for you on that side just dying to be picked up? Color A! So now you drop Color C and pick up Color A (which is right there!) and boom—work row four as the pattern states.
When you get to the end of row four, what is there waiting for you? Yep, you guessed it—Color B! Drop Color A, pick up Color B and you are off to the races!
And lastly, you get to the end of the row with Color B and what is hanging out just waiting for you to pick it up? Boom - Color C!
Repeat the last three steps over and over again because the next color you want to work with is right there waiting for you at the end of each row.
And that, my friends, is the brilliance of the ABC color changing method. The Don’t Stop Me Now Cowl is a great way to give this method a try for yourself.
This pattern does start out as rows, but eventually you will be joining to work in the round. The ABC method is still used, but all of your colors will be right there when you finish the round, so be sure you pick up the correct color when starting each new round. Make a note on your pattern which color is A, B, and C just in case you have a brain fart.
Enjoy the Don’t Stop Me Now Cowl pattern and be sure and tag @knitsyknits and #explorewithknitsy to show off your creation—I’d love to see what colors you chose!
DON’T STOP ME NOW Cowl Pattern
Inspired by Queen
I am a trifecta of awesomeness! Choose any three complimenting colors and watch them blend together to make a lively fabric that will wrap your neck in colorful style. No matter what color combination you choose, you can’t go wrong!
MATERIALS
Yarn
Colorway One:
Oink Pigments “Disco”
405 yards/370 meters; Fingering
92% Superwash Merino, 8% Lurex Sparkle
Raspberet (Color A) (1 skein)
Oink Pigments “Jewls”
430 yards/393 Meters; Fingering
60% Superwash Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon
Big Eggplant Energy (Color B) (1 skein)
Oink Pigments “Jewls”
430 yards/393 Meters; Fingering
60% Superwash Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon
On Pointe (Color C) (1 skein)
Colorway Two:
“Disco” It’s People (Color A) (1 skein)
“Jewls” Peridon’t (Color B) (1 skein)
“Jewls” Dark Knitnight (Color C) (1 skein)
Instagram: @oinkpigments
Needles
US 3/3.25 mm 24” circular needle
US 5/3.75 mm 24” circular needle
Notions
Stitch Marker
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Gauge
26 sts = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch
29 sts = 4 in/10 cm in slip stitch pattern
(both gauges taken on larger needle)
Finished Measurements
29 in/74 cm circumference at its widest point
36 in/91 cm tall from cast on edge on to bind off edge
Notes
Always slip stitches purlwise with yarn in the back.
After the cast on, this pattern is always worked on an uneven number of stitches.
Abbreviations
*. . .* - repeat between asterisks
bor – beginning of rnd
K2tog – knit two together (1 dec)
K3tog – knit three together (2 dec)
kf&b – knit into the front and the back of the next st (1 inc)
ktbl – knit trough back loop
rnd/rnds – round/rounds
sl – slip stitch(es) purlwise with yarn in back
SSSK – slip, slip, slip, knit all three slipped sts together (2 dec)
st/sts – stitch/stitches purlwise with yarn in back
YO – yarn over
Colorway One
The Pattern
Using long tail cast on, larger needle, and Color A, CO 6 sts.
Row 1 (WS) Color A: K3, YO, K3
Row 2 (RS) Color B: K2, kf&b, ktbl, kf&b, K2
Row 3 Color C: K3, P3, K3
Row 4 Color A: K2, kf&b, sl1, K1, sl1, kf&b, K2
Row 5 Color B: K3, P5, K3
Row 6 Color C: K2, kf&b, *sl1, K1* twice, sl1, kf&b, K2
Row 7 Color A: K3, P7, K3
Row 8 Color B: K2, kf&b, *sl1, K1* 3 times, sl1, kf&b, K2
Row 9 Color C: K3, P9, K3
Rnd 11 (WS) Color B : K3, P to last 3 sts, K3
Rnd 12 Color C : K2, kf&b, *sl1, K1* to last 4 sts, sl1, kf&b, K2
Rnd 13 Color A : K3, P to last 3 sts, K3, K2
Rnd 14 Color B : K2, kf&b, *sl1, K1* to last 4 sts, sl1, kf&b, K2
Rnd 15 Color C : K3, P to last 3 sts, K3
Work rows 10–15 until you have 207 sts. You will end after working a row 15.
Turn work and work row 10 once more (209 sts). Do not turn. You will join to work in the rnd. Place sm to note bor.
Rnd 1 Color B: P3, K to last 3 sts, P3
Rnd 2 Color C: K3, *sl1, K1* to last 4 sts, sl1, K3
Rnd 3 Color A: P3, K to last 3 sts, P3
Rnd 4 Color B: K3, *K1, sl1* to last 4 sts, K4
Rnd 5 Color C: P3, K to last 3 sts, P3
Rnd 7 Color B : Knit
Rnd 8 Color C : *sl1, K1* to last st, sl1
Rnd 9 Color A : Knit
Rnd 10 Color B : *K1, sl1* to last st, K1
Rnd 11 Color C : Knit
Rnd 12 Color A : *sl1, K1* to last st, sl1
Rnd 13 Color B : Knit
Rnd 14 Color C : *K1, sl1* to last st, K1
Rnd 15 Color A : K1, K3tog, K to last 4 sts, SSSK, K1
Rnd 16 Color B : *sl1, K1* to last st, sl1
Rnd 17 Color C : Knit
Work rnds 6–17 a total of 12 times – 161 sts.
Work rnds 6–17 another 5 times, but don’t work the decrease on rnd 15, just work a knit rnd in Color A for that rnd – 161 sts.
For this next section, don’t forget to carry the unused strands up the inside of your cowl.
Color A: Knit 7 rnds
Color B: Knit 7 rnds
Color C: Knit 7 rnds
Color A: Knit 5 rnds
Color B: Knit 5 rnds (cut Color B)
Color C: Knit 5 rnds (cut Color C)
Switch to smaller needles. You are working with Color A only for this last section.
Next Rnd: K2tog, K to end
Work last rnd a total of 7 times. Bind off in rib. Weave in your ends. If neccessary, block lightly.
Throw me over your head and you are ready to rock ‘n’ roll!
Leave a comment below and let me know what colors you chose for your Don’t Stop Me Now Cowl and how you liked working the ABC color changing method! And remember—don’t forget to tag @knitsyknits and #explorewithknitsy.
Colorway One
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PDF download of the Arctic Circle Hat pattern. This single pattern is ad free.
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[Please note that this is only the pattern for our Arctic Circle Hat, not a finished hat.]