 Shaped Sew-As-You-Go
You say, “Huh??” I say, “I love this technique!” I get so many compliments on an old (purchased) sweater I wear a lot, I thought I’d replicate it with a few variations. Here’s my old sweater:
It’s the center shaping that creates the trapeze look at the hem that I like so much. But, since the shaping is all done in the center front, I thought, since the sweater made on the USM would have to have a center seam, why not add a decorative element in the center? Like a cable in a contrasting color. You could also add a center panel of a fancy hand-knitted panel or a panel of beaded crochet if you like. Lots of options.
I also liked the center point, which my old sweater doesn’t have. However, before making the sweater, I wanted to test out how it would look in a smaller project, so I came up with this cowl design.
For the edging, I chose to do a two-color crocheted edge, but if you prefer, you could do a ribbed edge or other if you prefer.
 CABLE FRONT COWL
Sizes: One Size
Dimensions: 5½” high (folded) x 23” circumference (closest to neck)
Materials:
NaturallyCaron.com Country (75% acrylic, 25% merino)
Shown in: MC = #0019 Vicuna: 4 oz; cc = #0022 Plum Pudding: 2 oz.
Tools:
3x3 transfer tool set
Tapestry needle
Helpful:
Claw weight
Short hem with weights
COWL FRONT
CABLE STRIP (make 2)
- Closed edge CO 10 sts.
- Using KP #2, K 3 R. COL.
- Work a 3x3 cable cross over the center 6 sts. (Yes, you can do a 3x3 cable using Country and a #2 keyplate. It’s a bit tight in the crossing, but can be done and easily knit as long as the needles are in FWP.)
- K 6 R.
- Repeat cable cross.
- Every 18-20 rows, convert one stitch on both sides of the cable to a K st on the WS and leave the end sts in regular stockinette. Half of that will show on the RS and the other will be folded in.
- When RC = 52, BO across.
There will be 11 cable crosses and the strip should measure 11” long.
COWL – LH SECTION
Left side (facing you)
Step 1: Closed-edge CO 31 sts. Counts as first row. COR.
Step 2: K 1 R. COL.
 Step 3: With the WS and lower edge of the cable strip, pick up the edge stitch from the 2nd row and hang it on the center edge needle. (See photo.) There will be 1 st and the picked up stitch on this needle.
Step 4: K 1 R. COR. Dec 1 center st of CC. (See Photo.)
 Step 5: K 1 R. COL. Repeat picking up edge st of cable strip, skipping 1 row of the cable strip. (See photo.)
Step 6: Suggestion: to make it easier to remember, when carriage is on the LHS, pick up the stitch on the cable strip.
Step 7: Repeat the center decrease every 4 rows when the carriage is on the RHS.
Step 8: Continue repeating Steps 7 & 8 until RC = 36.
Step 9: Work even, picking up the st on the cable strip only – no center decreases.
Step 10: When RC = 72 (and the cable strip is completely attached), BO across or put on WY.
COWL – RH SECTION
Work as for opposite side, working decreases in the center. COWL – BACK
Work same as for front.
FINISHING
If ribbing to be worked on machine, work ribbing before sewing Front to Back.
 If working crocheted edge, sew front to back at sides. With MC, work 1 row sc around inside and outside edges. With CC, slip st to first st of MC sc row. Ch 1, *sc in next sc, ch 1, sc in row below first row sc,* rep bet *’s to center of cable strip. Work 3 sc in center sc. Rep bet *’s to next cable strip and rep as for other cable strip. Rep bet *’s to end. Sl st to first sc. End off. Block/steam edges and weave in ends. Here is a photo of how the back will look:
Enjoy!
Cari Clement
Bond America
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