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Cartesian Cowl by Tonia Lyons
Beyond the Pattern
The Cartesian Cowl is a relaxing knit that displays how simple multicolor helix knitting is and accompanies the Learn Something New: Helix Knitting article, along with the Cartesian Hat pattern. The cowl is knit lengthwise in a tube, using the helix knitting method of creating jogless joins for the five colors that are used in the cowl. Four shades of blue are worked in stockinette while a pop of bold orange is purled to add a bit of texture and interest to the knitting process.
Sizes
One size
Finished Measurements
Depth: 9”
Circumference: 24.75”
Materials
Brown Sheep NATURE SPUN SPORT (184yds/168m, 50g/1.75oz, 100% US Grown Wool): 1 skein each: #147S True Blue Navy (A), #116S Blue Boy (B), #153S Speckled Robin Egg (C), #115S Bit of Blue (D), and #409S Nectarine (E)
Size 6 (4mm) 16” (40cm) circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Gauge
In Helix Stripe pat, 22 sts & 29 rnds = 4”/10cm. To save time, take time to check gauge.
Special Techniques
Helix knitting is a very simple technique. Instead of twisting the yarns at the color change, simply drop the just-used color and begin knitting with the next color without twisting the yarns together. This creates a jogless area at the point of the color change. Refer to the Learn Something New Article about helix knitting, linked above, for more details about the technique.
Construction Notes
The cowl is worked lengthwise in the round using the multi-color helix knitting method, working each section of stitches with the available color. When it’s complete, the cast-on edge and bind-off edge are sewn together.
Cowl
CO 20 sts with each color, beginning with Color A and ending with Color E—100 sts.
With Color E, join to Color A by knitting across 20 Color A sts, pm, drop Color E and, with Color A, knit across 20 Color B sts, pm, drop Color A and, with Color B, knit across 20 Color C sts, pm, drop Color B and, with Color C, knit across 20 Color D sts, pm, drop Color C and, with Color D, join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist, and purl to next marker.
TECHNICAL TIP—The section with this last color (Color D) is twice as long (40 stitches) because the original 20 cast-on stitches for Color E are joined to the first round, which was also started with Color E, creating a section that is 40 stitches wide.
*Sm, drop Color D and, with Color E, knit to next marker; sm, drop Color E and, with Color A, knit to next marker; sm, drop Color A and, with Color B, knit to next marker; sm, drop Color B and, with Color C, knit to next marker; sm, drop Color C and, with Color D, purl to next marker; rep the sequence from * until cowl measures approx 25” from cast-on edge and ending with Color E, knitting the first 20 sts of the widest section.
BO, following the established helix sequence.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to finished measurements.
With Color C, sew cast-on edge to bind-off edge. See this article for details on seaming horizontal edges.
Article Associated with Pattern — Helix Knitting
Copyright 2025, The Knitting Guild Association, Cast On Summer 2025, All Rights Reserved
