Knitting Patterns

McCluskey’s Buffalo Plaid Cowl

DESCRIPTION

Right before I was about to move to Europe the Canadian Prairie girl in me became obsessed with ‘Buffalo Plaid’, or lumberjack plaid, whatever you call it. Well I looked up the origins and according to the Scottish Tartan Authority, its Rob Roy’s tartan and it was introduced to North American by a descendent of Rob Roy, Jock McCluskey. Hence why this pattern is called the McCluskey Cowl.
(http://www.tartansauthority.com/tartan/tartan-today/buffa…)

Back home I always used Scarfs to cover my neck but here in Finland they just dont cut it, I’m not sure why, but I was always borrowing my Finn’s Buff (neckwarmer), so I wanted to make my own.

The pattern is the same regardless of size really, just changes with the cast-on numbers. For a tighter size or looser size, subtract or 10 Stitches, which -/+ 2 inches of width. (5.08cm) The size I decided on was because I wanted it to be able to go overtop of my lululemon scuba hoodie for extra warmth and go under my cowichan sweater I use as my winter coat (Finland really isn’t that cold)

the pattern below has dimensions of 10 inches high and 24.5 inches circumference unstretched

I used Red and Black for my pattern, So I use the colours in the pattern instead of main and secondary colour or something else confusing

PATTERN

I used 5mm needles with an Aran weight yarn

Using Black yarn CO 110 stitches joining in the round, place stitch marker to note beginning of round (I used DPNs because that is what I had, but a circular needle would be better)

row 1- K2 P2 *K3 P2 repeat from * until last stitch in row and K1
row 2-6 – same as Row 1

For the pattern I will use r for Red and B for Black, all stitches are knit

(Block 1)

Row 7- r r r r r B r B r B (repeat pattern til end of row)
Row 8- r r r r r r B r B r (repeat pattern til end of row)
Row 9- same as row 7
Row 10- same as row 8
Row 11-same as row 7
Row 12-same as row 8

(Block 2)

Row 13- B r B r B B B B B B (repeat pattern til end of row)
Row 14- r B r B r B B B B B (repeat pattern til end of row)
Row 15- same as row 13
Row 16-same as row 14
Row 17- same as row 13
Row 18 – same as row 14

Rows 19-24- repeat Block 1
Rows 25- 30 – repeat Block 2
Rows 31-36- repeat Block 1
Rows 37-42- repeat Block 2
Rows 43-48- repeat Block 1,

Row 49-cut off red yarn leaving tail to weave in, Knit all 110 stiches in black (this could be omitted but I prefer the way it looks instead of going straight to the Rib pattern where I feel the red stitches look odd purled)

Row 50- K2 P2 *K3 P2 repeat from * until last stitch in row and K1
Rows 51-54 same as row 50
Bind off, weaving in ends. Enjoy

Here’s the link to the pattern description on Ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mccluskeys-buffalo-plaid-cowl