Steppe Bandana Cowl
Start your knitting adventure here!
Before you tackle the wide-open Plains shawl, get to know the stitches on the Steppe. This bandana cowl is a perfect introduction, using the same pretty geometric lace and textured garter stitch in a smaller, more manageable project.
This pattern is ideal for a quick, satisfying knit. You'll learn the rhythm of the stitches and finish with a cozy, loop-style accessory that's easy to wear. It’s a small, complete project that builds your skills for bigger journeys on the needles.
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Jump to: Pattern Information | Pattern Construction | Pattern Instructions
Stitch Patterns & Charts
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Yarn
Quantity: 75-100 yards
Weight: DK
Yarn Used: Harrisville Designs nightshades
Fiber Content: Woolen-spun American Cormo & Wool
‣ Ply: 3
‣ Yardage: xx yards (xx m) / 100 g
‣ 1 skein in Twilight
Needles
Recommended: US 5 (3.75mm), 24-inch (60 cm) circular needle
Adjust needle size if needed to match gauge.
Gauge
25 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Lace Stitch Pattern (after blocking).
25 sts and 40 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Elongated Garter Stitch (after blocking).
Gauge is not critical but will affect yardage and final dimensions..
Notions
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Finished Measurements
Circumference: 18” (45.7 cm)
Depth: 18” (45.7 cm)
Abbrevations
** ( ): repeat enclosed instructions
cm: centimeter
k: knit
K2tog: knit two stitches together
m: marker
mm: millimeter
p: purl
pm: place marker
rnd: round
RS: right side
sk2p: slip one stitch with yarn in the back, knit 2 stitches together, pass slip stitch over
sm: slip marker
ssk: slip a stitch knitwise twice, knit these 2 sts together through the back loops
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over
Accessing the Charts
Click HERE to access the charted instructions for the featured lace design. You can easily download them, print them out, or upload them to your KnitCompanion.
Construction
This bandana cowl is worked from the top down. The triangular shape is created by increasing 4 stitches on every right side row in the first section. The work is then joined in the round; the 2 yarn over increases at the edges stop, while the 2 increases at the center spine continue, allowing the cowl to grow in depth to the final border.
The written and charted instructions for the lace pattern represent the repeat only and do not include the border or spine stitches. Follow the outline below to maintain the correct construction.
Flat Knitting Instructions:
RS Rows: K3, sm, [work RS row of stitch pattern], sm, k1, sm, [work RS row of stitch pattern], sm, k3. (4 sts increased)
WS Rows: K3, sm, [work WS row of stitch pattern], sm, p1, sm, [work WS row of stitch pattern], sm, k3.
Round Knitting Instructions:
Odd-numbered rnds: K3, sm, [work rnd of stitch pattern], sm, K3. (2 sts increased)
Even-numbered rnds: P3, sm, [work rnd of stitch pattern], sm, P3.
Pattern Instructions
Garter Tab Cast-On
Cast on 3 sts.
Knit 6 rows to form a small garter stitch rectangle.
Turn work 90 degrees. Pick up and knit 3 sts along the side edge.
Turn work 90 degrees again. Pick up and knit 3 sts along the original cast-on edge. Turn work.
(9 sts total)
Marker Placement (WS): K3, pm, p1, pm, p1, pm, p1, pm, k3.
Pattern Sequence
Follow the sequence below, working the specified stitch patterns.
Work Lace Set-Up Rows 1-18. (45 sts)
Work Elongated Garter Stitch Rows 1-8. (61 sts)
Work Lace Body (Flat) Rows 1-16. (93 sts)
Work Elongated Garter Stitch Rows 1-8. (109 sts)
Place marker for beginning of round. Join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work Lace Body (Rnd) Rnds 1-16 once. (125 sts)
Work Elongated Garter Stitch (Rnd) Rnds 1-8 once. (133 sts)
Work Lace Body (Rnd - 2nd Repeat) 1-16 once. (149 sts)
Work Elongated Garter Stitch (Rnd) Rnds 1-8 once. (165 sts)
For a deeper border, repeat the Elongated Garter Stitch (Rnd) as many times as desired. The sample uses two additional repeats.
Bind off loosely using a stretchy method.
Weave in ends and block to finished measurements.
Stitch Patterns and Charts
Lace Set-Up
Row 1 (RS): Yo, k1, yo.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): P all.
Row 3: Yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 5: Yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 7: Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 9: Yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 11: Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 13: Yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4, yo.
Row 15: Yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo.
Row 17: Yo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, k3, yo.
Row 18 (WS): P all.
Elongated Garter Stitch (Flat)
Row 1 (RS): Yo, k to end, yo.
Row 2 (WS): K all.
Row 3: Yo, k to end, yo.
Row 4 P all.
Row 5: Yo, p to end, yo.
Row 6: P all.
Row 7: Yo, k to end, yo.
Row 8: K all.
Lace Body (Flat)
Row 1 (RS): Yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * twice, k2, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 2 ( and all WS rows): P all.
Row 3: Yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 5: Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * twice, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 7: Yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * twice, k5, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 9: Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * twice, (k2, yo, ssk) × 2, yo.
Row 11: Yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4, yo.
Row 13: Yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * twice, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo.
Row 15: Yo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * twice, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, k3, yo.
Row 16 (WS): P all.
Lace Body (Rnd)
Rnd 1 (RS): K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * five times, k2, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, **k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from ** five times, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.
All even rnds: K all.
Rnd 3: K2, yo, ssk, k3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * five times, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, **k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from ** five times, k2tog, yo, k2.
Rnd 5: K3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * five times, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, **yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from ** five times, yo, k3.
Rnd 7: K4, yo, sk2p, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * five times, k5, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, **k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from ** five times, k4.
Rnd 9: K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * five times, (k2, yo, ssk) × 2, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, (k2tog, yo, k2) × 2, k2tog, yo, k1, **k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from ** five times, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.
Rnd 11: K2, yo, ssk, k3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * five times, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, **k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from ** five times, k2tog, yo, k2.
Rnd 13: K3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * five times, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, **yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from ** five times, yo, k3.
Rnd 15: K4, yo, sk2p, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * five times, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, **k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from ** five times, k4.
Rnd 16: K all.
Lace Body (Rnd - 2nd Repeat)
Rnd 1 (RS): K2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * seven times, k2, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, **(k2tog, yo, k2) × 2 ; work from ** seven times, k2tog, yo, k1.
All even rnds: K all.
Rnd 3: K3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * seven times, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, **k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk ; work from ** seven times, k3.
Rnd 5: K2, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * seven times, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, **ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo ; work from ** seven times, ssk, k2.
Rnd 7: K1, k2tog, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * seven times, k5, yo, ssk, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k2tog, yo, k5, **yo, sk2p, yo, k5 ; work from ** seven times, yo, ssk, k1.
Rnd 9: K2tog, yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 ; work from * seven times, (k2, yo, ssk) × 2, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, (k2tog, yo, k2) × 2, **(k2tog, yo, k2) × 2 ; work from ** seven times, k2tog, yo, k1.
Rnd 11: K3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3 ; work from * seven times, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, **k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk ; work from ** seven times, k3.
Rnd 13: K2, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog ; work from * seven times, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, **ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo ; work from ** seven times, ssk, k2.
Rnd 15: K1, k2tog, yo, *k5, yo, sk2p, yo ; work from * seven times, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k5, **yo, sk2p, yo, k5 ; work from ** seven times, yo, ssk, k1.
Rnd 16: K all.
Elongated Garter Stitch (Rnd)
Rnd 1 (RS): K to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to end.
Rnd 2: P to m, sm, k1, sm, p to end.
Rnd 3: K to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to end.
Rnd 4: K all.
Rnd 5: P to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, p to end.
Rnd 6: K all.
Rnd 7: K to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to end.
Rnd 8: P to m, sm, k1, sm, p to end.
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