Gathered Mesh Cowl

Gathered Mesh Cowl

So here's the thing.  When I started knitting this piece, I intended to do it differently.  First, I was going to knit it in Star Rib Mesh, from page 196 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, which includes a direction to "slip 2 knitwise" (and even includes a special instruction on why you really, really need to slip 2 TOGETHER knitwise to accomplish the look).  Of course, I didn't do this.  I slipped one stitch knitwise, then slipped the second stitch knitwise, which creates an entirely different effect.  Then, of course, I liked it.  And decided to gather it.  Which resulted in the following.

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Sateen (100% Acrylic; 300.7 yards [275 meters]/100 grams); #24 Orange Poppy - another one skein masterpiece.

Once again, the kid wanted to help. 
Of course, he still refused to smile.

Needles: One 24" circular needle in size 4

Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, one 5/8" button

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches

Cast on 180 stitches, place marker, join in round.  Knit two rows in seed stitch, or in other words:

First row of seed stitch: k1, p1 around

2nd row: p1, k1 around

Now it's time for the main pattern!

Row 1: * yo, (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 knitwise - k1 - p2sso), yo, k1; rep from *
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: remove marker, slip 1st stitch, replace marker * yo, k1, yo, (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 knitwise - k1 - p2sso) *

Row 4: Knit

Knit in pattern until piece measures roughly 6 inches in length and you have just completed Row 1 of the pattern.  Now it's time to gather!

Gathering Row 1: ssk 24 times, knit until end of row

Gathering Row 2: remove marker, slip 1st stitch, replace marker * yo, k1, yo, (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 knitwise - k1 - p2sso) *

Gathering Row 3: ssk 12 times, knit until end of row

Gathering Row 4: * yo, (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 knitwise - k1 - p2sso), yo, k1 *

Gathering Row 5: (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 knitwise - k1 - p2sso) 4 times, knit until end of row

Gathering Row 6: * k1, p1 *

Bind off and use tapestry needle to tuck in ends.

And now it's time for the button!  In order to make a piece you like, first determine the desired position of your button on your cowl.  Next, thread scrap piece of yarn on tapestry needle and insert it front-to-back through completed piece at desired position.  Next, making a small stitch at edge of fabric, thread it back, leaving a loop of desired clasp size on wrong side of fabric.  This step should look something like so:

Then, knot ends like so: 

Finally, pass loop under knotted ends and pull tight, which should look something like this:

Thread ends on tapestry needle and tuck into fabric on wrong side of garment, knotting again for security (I picked the backside of one of the knit stitches and knotted it around that).  Clip.  Super-finally, using another piece of scrap yarn, stitch button to desired position on other side of cowl, knot securely, and clip.  And then give yourself a pat on the back, you are totally done!