Have you ever yearned to wrap yourself in a piece of Ireland?
To feel the warmth and comfort of an ancient culture, knitted into a stylish modern accessory?
Welcome to the Celtic Knits Club 2023 second project, the exquisite ‘Cape Clear Cowl’ – a masterful blend of traditional design and contemporary style. Designed by Laura Perrem, this cowl is a cable knitter’s delight.
We asked Laura what inspired this piece, and she said:
Cape Clear is a small island off the south-west coast of Ireland. It stands alone against the mists and sea storms and on those rare sunny days, it’s breath-taking to behold.
This is what I was thinking of while designing for the Celtic Knits Club.Laura Perrem
Our Deas yarn perfectly compliments dramatic cables, and makes me think of the undulating landscape of West Cork and the island beyond.
Behind the Design of the Cape Clear Cowl
One of the wonderful things about this cowl design is how modifiable it is. It is knit from side-to-side in one long strip, then the start and end are grafted together for a seamless finish. I’m in love with this cowl style, to me a double wrapped cowl is king of the cowl world!
If this is not your thing, it’s easy to modify. In the pattern, there are directions given for a seed stitch edge to change it into a scarf instead. Or if you like snug fitting smaller cowls, you can just work a few repeats and join seamlessly. In fact, this would mean that you’d get almost 3 cowls out of the yarn instead of 1.
Working with Deas Yarn
As a designer, it’s rare to be involved in the creation of the yarn you end up design with. This is what is so wonderful about Deas. Back in 2022, Laura and myself got to visit the mill and were involved in the yarn’s creation. The fibre content, the colour palette.
It’s a designers dream!
Then when it comes to designing, the yarn can often throw you a curve ball. Maybe what you thought isn’t what the yarn speaks to you when you start swatching and designing.
In Laura’s words:
“The first time I held Deas, it was just a small sample that the wound for us then and there at the mill in Donegal. Pauric placed the ball of yarn into my hand and I just remember thinking how incredibly light it was, and how incredibly soft.
As the people here at Stolen Stitches know, I LOVE anything with a halo. Deas, is no exception. There is a gentle halo in this yarn that makes a very special knit.
Before I began swatching I had lots of ideas about what I would do with Deas.
ALL of this went out the window as soon as I had the yarn in my hand. Deas simply demands big cables! Lustrous 3×3 stitches are Deas’s best friend.
I loved the idea of multiple horizontals running all around the cowl, with lines within lines, and that is what the Cape Clear Cowl is; bold lines and cosy cables. Which I hope you can see in this design. “
Cape Clear Cowl Pattern Details:
SIZE
One size
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Cowl circumference: 60” / 152.5 cm
Depth: 9” /23 cm
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Deas’ (86% Merino Wool, 14% Mohair; 202 yds / 185 m per 3.6 oz / 100 g); colour: Rowan or Heather; 3 skeins
Approx. Yardage: 485 yds / 444 m
NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
2 x US size 8 / 5 mm circ or straight needles
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Cable needle, tapestry needle, waste yarn
GAUGE
22 sts and 23 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in pattern blocked
Note: 1 rep of cable chart (50 sts, 44 rows) measures approx. 9” /23 cm wide and 7.5” / 19 cm long
Join the Club
Did you know it’s still possible to join our digital 2023 Celtic Knits Club?
While our full club is sold out, it is still possible to join our virtual club and get access to our patterns, zoom lives, step-by-step workshops and dedicated community forums.
Our 2023 club will include 5 patterns, plus extensive step-by-step video workshops for all the club patterns (3 are already available). You will also have exclusive access to the private club forum on Knithub and zoom launch parties. All workshops are fully captioned and have a dedicated help comment section if you need further assistance.
Please note: The workshop access will be sent to you automatically after purchase. Each new workshop is only released at the same time as the pattern.
Got Questions? Join Our Live Q&A Session.
That’s right! All our club members are welcome to join our Zoom Live with Laura Perrem on 19th May at 4pm Irish Time. Your registration link will be in your recent newsletter and we will, of course, be popping the replay in our dedicated club forums.
If you have a question about the club or for Laura, please pop them in the comments below:
Laura Perrem is a designer working from the south coast of Ireland.
Laura originally studied Fine Art, and has been busy working in the visual arts ever since. Her designs are simple and bold, and she loves working with fluffy yarns of all kinds. When not knitting, you’ll find her working at Stolen Stitches, in the garden, or looking for a cat.