Knit Sgiath Cowl Pattern

Pronounced "sg-ee-ath" and named for the Scottish Gaelic word meaning "shield", this cowl is your enchanted armour against winter’s chill. Featuring a bold cable motif that calls to mind ancient protective sigils, this piece weaves warmth and warding into every stitch.

Worked in the round from the bottom up, the pattern offers two forms: a sleek unlined version for lighter layering, or a plush, double-brimmed lined version complete with a drawstring, circling warmth around your shoulders.

Crafted to make the most of a single skein of DK-weight yarn, the lined variant adds a second layer of magic with a skein of sumptuous boucle or a whisper of mohair or laceweight alpaca held double. Choose your own spellwork — mix and match elements to suit your needs, from lightweight ward to full winter warding and wrap yourself in the charm of the Scottish Highlands in a soft shield for cold days.

Sizes - One Size

Yarn - Featured in pattern/pictures is 8ply / DK and Super Bulky 
(Substitute Laceweight Fluffy Yarn held double/triple in place of Bulky)
Outside of Cowl/Unlined Version: Broomstitch | Hearth DK | 100% NZ SW Merino 100g/250m (246 yards) in colour Scathach ("sk-a-th-ak"). You can purchase this yarn here.

Lining: Urth Yarns | Lanalpaca Boucle | Super Bulky | 50% Merino, 50% Alpaca 100g/70m (77yds) in colour Topaz. You can find more information on this yarn here. 

Yardage - Outer: 220m (246yds) of DK, and Lining: 70m (22yds) of Super Bulky (uses whole skein of both. 

You may substitute this yarn for laceweight fluffy mohair/silk or alpaca blends held double and you will need approximately a minimum of 50g/160-200m (175-218.7 yds) of this type of yarn depending on your gauge when held double.

Needles - 4mm (US 6), 8mm (US 11) circular needles. 55cm (21”) cable or longer for magic loop

Gauge - 20sts, 24 rounds over 10cm/4in

Measurements given are for the finished cowl: 39cm Long x 21cm High - an 80cm Circumference. Schematics included in pattern. I washed and blocked my version reasonably aggressively to achieve this size and show off the cables. 

Both written instructions and charts for the cables is provided.