I just finished this reversible cowl. It’s dark pink on one side, charcoal gray on the other. As it’s double-sided it’s super warm and toasty. Of course, the temperatures have gone up again so I don’t need it now. Nevermind, I’ll be prepared next time…

Pattern and instructions after the break…

This is the first pattern I’ve actually written down excuse me if it’s confusing!

You will need:

• Size 7 / 4.5 mm circular or double-pointed knitting needles. I recommend circular.
• 4 skeins of worsted/medium weight yarn, 2 in each of your colors. Technically, you only really need about 1 and a third skeins of each color so this is a good time to use up some leftovers. I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice charcoal and antique rose.
• An extra needle or piece of string to make the cables.

Side 1, Color 1

The border

1. Bind on 160 stitches. Don’t forget to add a marker to identify the start of a row.
2. The border is twelve rows of moss stitch:
   Rows 1 & 2:  { k2, p2 } repeat until end of row
   Rows 3 & 4:  { p2, k2 } repeat until end of row 
   Rows 5 & 6:  { k2, p2 } repeat until end of row
   Rows 7 & 8:  { p2, k2 } repeat until end of row 
   Rows 9 & 10:  { k2, p2 } repeat until end of row
   Rows 11 & 12:  { p2, k2 } repeat until end of row

Main body - This is where the cables begin. If you don’t know how to cable, don’t panic!

• Start counting your rows from 1 again. The knitted stitches will become your cables.
• Rows 1 - 6:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 7: You will create left twists on the narrower cables (those that are 6 stitches wide).
  • p2, k10, p2
  • Create a left twist. Slip the first 3 stitches of the cable onto your spare needle and hold it in front of your work, as shown in Image 1.
    
    
    
    Knit the next 3 stitches on your left needle, keeping the spare needle in front of your work. You should see the beginnings of a twist, as shown in Image 2.
    
    
    
    Next, slip the three stitches on your spare needle back onto your left needle and knit them. You have created a left twist.
  • Repeat the previous two steps seven times to finish the row. You should have eight left twists in total.
• Rows 8 - 10:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 11: You will create a right twist on the wider cables (those that are 10 stitches wide).
  • p2
  • Create a right twist. Slip the first 5 stitches of the cable onto your spare needle and hold it behind your work.
    
    Knit the next 5 stitches on your left needle, keeping the spare needle behind your work.
    
    Next, slip the 5 stitches on your spare needle back onto your left needle and knit them. This can get a little tight and fiddly. You have created a right twist.
  • p2, k6
  • Repeat the previous three steps eight times to finish the row. You should have eight right twists in total.
• Rows 12 & 13:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 14: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 15 - 20:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 21: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 22 - 26:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 27: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 28 - 30:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 31: repeat the steps detailed above in row 11
• Rows 32 & 33:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 34: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 35 - 39:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 40: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 41 - 46:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 47: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 48 - 50:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 51: repeat the steps detailed above in row 11
• Row 52:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• Row 53: repeat the steps detailed above in row 7
• Rows 54 - 60:  { p2, k10, p2, k6 } repeat until end of row
• You have reached the end of side 1, color 1! Cut your yarn leaving a tail of about 3 - 4 inches.

Side 2, Color 2

The transition

Using your second color, knit one complete row (all knit stitches). This creates a nice clean line for the color change.

The rest

Repeat the entirety of side 1 but this time do it backwards i.e. going from row 60 down to 1, then the border. Make sure the knits and purls line up with the knits and purls in side 1. Essentially you’re making a big tube so the transition from one color to the next should be smooth.

Bind off

First, tuck in any loose ends - you won’t be able to do this after you bind off.

Next, fold the tube in half, right sides out. Line up the ends of the tube so the start of the first row and the start of the last row are together. For each stitch on the last row of the tube, pick up a stitch from the first row of the tube, knit them together and bind off. See Image 3 for help with this - the pink stitch is from the last row, the gray is from the first.