Hi Chic Cowl Neck Sweater Knitters (pattern #90)! 

I occassionally get questions about the Cabling on the Cowl and thought I would share some of my answers that have helped clarify how the Cowl is worked.

At the beginning of the pattern, the Cowl cables are established.  Here is Round 5.

Round 5 [Cable Twist]: [P6 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8), Work Round 5 of Braided Cable over next 14 sts, p6 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8), Work Round 11 of Braided Cable over next 14 sts] 3 times.

So, the Cowl patterning looks like this:

[Rev St st] [Cable A] [Rev St st] [Cable B] [Rev St st] [Cable A] [Rev St st] [Cable B] [Rev St st] [Cable A] [Rev St st] [Cable B] [end of Round marker]

i.e. sections of Rev St st separating the 6 Cable Panels.  The 1st, 3rd, and 5th Cable panels (Cable A) just did a Round 5 Braided Cable Twist, whereas the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Cable panels (Cable B) just did a Round 11 Braided Cable Twist.

Working in patterns as established means this:

On Round 6 of the Cowl, cont with Round 6 of the Braided Cable for the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Cables and Round 12 of the Braided Cable for the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Cables.  Keep purling the Rev St st sections.

Then, on Round 7 of the Cowl, cont with Round 7 of the Braided Cable for the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Cables and Round 1 of the Braided Cable for the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Cables.  Keep purling the Rev St st sections.

Then, on Round 8 of the Cowl, cont with Round 8 of the Braided Cable for the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Cables and Round 2 of the Braided Cable for the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Cables.  Keep purling the Rev St st sections.

Here's a lovely finished photo of the Chic Cowl-Neck Sweater pattern, but this one is the short-sleeved version (included in the pattern) AND it's in a lush mohair blend that gives it such a different look.  Stunning!

Mary R. of Atlanta, Georgia used Rowan Cocoon in colorway 812 (a dusty purple) for her #90 Chic Cowl-Neck Sweater.

It's such a different look in a mohair blend vs. the merino wool used in the original sample.  And such a sophisticated color!

Here is what she has to say about the project: "It was my first top-down sweater and I was a bit worried about how it would come together - but the pattern was detailed and easy to follow and I didn't have any problems at all.

The cables on the cowl were fun to knit, but my favorite part was the lacy cable down the front. (oh and also not having ANYthing to seam at the end - I've made three more top-down sweaters since then and I am sold on the technique!)" -- Mary R.

Thanks, Mary!  It fits you nicely too ;-)

Dear Knitters of the Chic Cabled Cowl Neck,

I've had a few emails where I've confused knitters on how the Cowl of this Cowl Neck is to be knit!  Sorry!  Here is an explanation that I emailed a knitter that helped to clarify the instructions.

It is actually a more complicated looking thing than it really is to knit!  I promise!

You basically have for each Round of the Cowl (assume size XS):

[p6] [Braided Cable A] [p6] [Braided Cable B] [p6] [Braided Cable A] [p6] [Braided Cable B] [p6] [Braided Cable A] [p6] [Braided Cable B]

Now, on EVERY Round, EXCEPT the Cable Twisting Rounds, which are Rounds 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35, 41, and 47 (i.e. every 6th Round), you are doing the same thing:

[p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times] [p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times] [p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times] [p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times] [p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times] [p6] [k2 (p2, k2) 3 times]

Notice that for the above, it doesn't matter if it's Cable A or B, the non-cable twisting rounds are all the same "k2, (p2, k2) 3 times".

Now, on Round 5 of the Cowl, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Cables (the "A" cables) will do the Cable Twist like this:
Round 5 of the Braided Cable [RS – Cable Twist]: *Sl 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, p the 2 p sts from cable needle, k the 2 sts from cable needle*, p2, rep from * to * once more.

BUT, the 2nd, 4th, and 6th Cables (the "B" cables) will do the Cable Twist like this:
Round 11 of the Braided Cable [Cable Twist]: K2, p2, sl 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, p the 2 p sts from cable needle, k the 2 sts from cable needle, p2, k2.

On Round 11 of the Cowl, the A cables will do this:
Round 11 of the Braided Cable [Cable Twist]: K2, p2, sl 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, p the 2 p sts from cable needle, k the 2 sts from cable needle, p2, k2.

While the B cables will do this:
Round 5 of the Braided Cable [RS – Cable Twist]: *Sl 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, p the 2 p sts from cable needle, k the 2 sts from cable needle*, p2, rep from * to * once more.

Round 17 of the Cowl will be like Round 5 of the Cowl.

Round 23 of the Cowl will be like Round 11 of the Cowl, etc., etc.

I hope this helps clear up some confusion!  I really designed it this way so it would look really intricate, but not be hard to do.

Let me know if I need to explain more!

Here is a finished #90 Chic Cables and Lace Cowl Neck Sweater from kntter, Heather M. from Brighton, East Sussex, England.

"I used Patons Inca in Camel (7024).
This was my first proper item of clothing I had completed and I found it kept my interest the whole time without being particularly challenging. Having the cable or lace pattern all the way was great too, meaning there were no impenetrable walls stockinette, and there were loads of clever little details in the short rows and the placement of the shaping. I love that it looks like darts in dresses. Very posh. I did change the sleeves to being long and slightly shaped, to keep me warm. In case anyone's interested, I did the sleeves like thus: I did a skp, k2, k2tog every 8 rounds (1.5in) 5 times or until the elbow, making a sort of seam. Then knit straight until it measured 20in and did an inch of ribbing on smaller needles."

Thanks so much Heather!  Looks great and I love your photo. 

Have a finished SweaterBabe.com project photo to share?  Submit it (and if we select it, get a free pattern!) -- see details at: http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2009/03/finished-project-photos.html.