We can't think of much that trumps a handknit Christmas present. Nothing is as thoughtful and seasonally practical (for Northern Hemisphere dwellers at least), and shows just how much you care. And the best part is that handknit gifts don't have to be as time consuming as you'd expect. Replace your images of intricate fairisle jumpers and spindly lacework shawls with chunky knit winter must-haves: mittens, pompom hats, slouchy socks and snoods that can all be completed in an evening or two. We've come up with two super simple snoods that are lightning quick to knit, suitable even for first time knitters, and will make the perfect gift for just about anyone (even those tricky men!), that is, if you can bring yourself to give them away!
Representing two of our favourite stitches - moss stitch and English rib stitch - these snoods are a once around the neck coze extravaganza. Both stitches are reversible (exactly the same both sides), completely non-gender specific and really make the most of a chunky yarn by exaggerating the surface bulk. In terms of circumference, it can often be tricky to get the perfect length that neither strangles you nor sags down exposing your neck to the bitter chill. We have found the ideal length to be around the 60-65cm / 25" mark.
Moss Stitch Snood
Difficulty - beginner
You will need:
- 300-400g super chunky weight yarn (we like Wool & the Gang's Crazy Sexy Wool, Toft or Rowan's Big Wool)
- 10mm circular needles
- a yarn needle to weave in ends
- scissors
Moss stitch snood shown above in Wool and the Gang's Crazy Sexy Wool in Margaux Red
English Rib Snood (with a twist)
Difficulty - confident beginner
You will need:
- 8 x 50g balls of chunky weight yarn suitable for 6mm needles (all the same colour or 4 balls each of 2 colours like we did)
- a pair of 9mm straight needles, plus one extra for the 3 needle bind off
- a yarn needle to weave in ends
- scissors
Binding off: Pick up the 31 cast on stitches with the needle pointing in the opposite direction to the needle with the live stitches. Twist the needle with the picked up stitches to meet it's partner side by side. This creates a sort of infinite twist loop, making more of a feature of the kushy rib stitch and seriously upping the coze factor! Bind off with a three-needle bind off (holding your 2 rows of live stitches together, use your 3rd needle to knit into the 1st stitch from both needles at the same time. Repeat with the second stitch from both needles and then bind off from the 3rd needle as normal. Repeat this until all the stitches have been bound off. There are plenty of video tutorials for this technique on YouTube). Cut yarn and weave in tails.
All done! Now for the hard part - wrapping these babies up and giving them away...
-
Elisalex de Castro Peake
Comments on this post (44)
I love the rib pattern, have made many for my friends and family and they love them! Only alteration is that I would only use a single strand of chunky wool. The double strand made my snoods way too big and un-wearable. The single strand means you can wear with a coat and not look so puffy.
— Samantha
I have the same question as Lauren. The pattern seems to be misprinted. Having the two knit stitches at the beginning of each row seems to come out better. I am using only 25 stitches because my needles are a larger jack pin size 17. Not sure if that makes the difference from the original 31.. I have done a pattern before similar to this called fisherman’s knit.
— Lorraine
This stitch is what ithe English call Fisherman’s rib. The way English / British rib is knitted is to knit/purl each stitch across the row you are working on, not into the row beneath.
— Anne Richards
I agree with Suzanne, 21 inch wire for the moss stitch snood is far too long, it would make the needles 80cm long and I’m trying to work it but it’s far too tight. Are you sure that’s the needle worked on?
— Danielle
I’m about to start the English rib snood – I’m pretty petite, so I’d like to make it a little narrower – any suggestions on how many stitches to CO? Should it be an odd number? Thanks!
— Becky
Hi I’m knitting the moss stitch snood with size 9mm double pointed needles as I didn’t have right size circular needles. I also didn’t have super chinky so I double to chunky wools together. They are a beautiful deep purple colour. Can’t wait to give it to someone for Christmas.
— Lily
Hi
I’ve bought 10mm 80cm circular needles but they seem too long. Should I try 60cm long? I’ve never knitted ‘in the round’ before so it might just be me but your previous reply said try 21" long and that seems enormous!
— Suzanne
Hi Lauren, thanks for your comment! You would just continue the k1 below, k1 pattern until you get to the last stitch and then it’s just a k1 edge, if that makes sense? It’s essentially the same idea as a regular rib in that on a return row you would purl the knit stitches and knit the purls, only here on the return row you’re knitting below on regular knit stitches and knitting were you previously knit below. I hope this makes sense! ~Elisalex
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Hello. Starting the English Rib pattern, and wondering if there is possibly a misprint.
Row 2: k1 (edge), k1, k1 below, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1 (edge).
Row 3: k1 (edge), k1 below, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1 (edge).
Row 2 appears to be multiples of 2 (3), while Row 3 appears to be multiples of 2 (2). So in described cast on of 31, there would be 14 repeats of the to plus the 2 knit stitches at the beginning and 1 knit stitch at the end. However, Row 3 only has 1 knit stitch at each end (the edges).
Should there be an additional k1 in row 3 after the to repeats are completed and before the k1 edge stitch?
Thank you!
— Lauren
Hi Noush! The circular needle we used is about 21" long (the wire part not including the needles) – you basically want something that can encircle your neck, or smaller. Too long and it will stretch your stitches and be very hard to knit!
Hope this helps!
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Total newbie here to knitting in the round… what length circular needle are people using for the Moss Sticth Snood please?
— Noush
Hello! I’m giving the English Rib a go, and I’m wondering how wide it should be? I know you said 31 stitches but mine is looking quite wide and I’m wondering if it’s going to work out like your photo or of I should start again with a few less…
— Amanda
Hi…these snoods are great and easy to knit….i have a few ..sirdar big bamboo balls left,and will use size 10mm needles,and knit the length you said to get one twist..these will make great xmas gifts..thankyou very much for free pattern xx
— margaret walker
I made these for my daughter and now my granddaughter, who is only 2, really likes them. Could you possibly adapt the pattern for age 3/4 please.
Angela
— Angelal White
Hi. Thanks for sharing these. I am hoping to make the moss stitch version but can anyone advise on the length of circular needle to use? I think mine is too long! thank you,
— Red Fraggle
Am in the middle of knitting the English rib cowl in Debbie Bliss Roma in red. So far so good! Love the look of the pattern, any chance of you doing a beanie hat & hand warmers to match? Many thanks x
— Gillian Dodsworth
I love this pattern but I am having a real problem with k below st. SO this is what I am doing knit the first row 2nd row , knit edge st, k in st below (center of the st. and knit the next st. is this correct. because when I turn to start the next row I have a row of loose yarn. is there a video on this. thank you
— Kathy M
Thank you so much. Exactly what I have been looking for and something I can manage too. Thanks again. Much appreciated.
— Jane Moody
Hi Rogeema, that sounds about right! The snood is designed ‘to wrap around just the once, so it sounds like you’re all done! Of course, you could keep going if you want a snood that wraps twice… x
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Hi. I need some help and advice please.
I’m busy with the english rib snood and I love it so far :)I think I’m halfway. The length of it is about 25" now, but I’ve only used 4 balls of 50g chunky (with 2 strands as you show).
Is this the length that it’s supposed to be? This would be a snood that only wraps once. Or is it a double wrap snood, which means I would be halfway and would be using all 8 balls of wool. Is the 25" on the pattern a mistake and it should actually be a length of 50"?
— Rogeema
It’s winter here in South Africa.Just finished 2 snoods in English Rib Pattern.I love it and so do my friends! It’s so warm and cozy.Tanx for the great pattern!!
— Elize
I began knitting the English Rib pattern, but seemed to have one side ribbed while the other is in Moss stitch. I am not sure if I am missing a step. If so, is the edge stitch a drop stitch, a bind off stitch, or something else. Sorry, I am still getting the hang of knitting as a confident beginner. Thank you for your time and help!
— Heather
Hi Angela – yes the ribbed snood should have the same texture on both sides, making it wonderfully kushy and reversible! x
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Should the kushy rib snood be ribbed on both sides?
— Angela White
Hi Suzie – you most certainly can simply sew the two ends together as opposed to the three needle cast off. You could also close the ends with a Kitchener stitch (my favourite!).
— Elisalex - By Hand London