Friday, January 24, 2014

Striped for Spring Cowl

Striped for Spring Cowl
Considering this is the... fourth? cowl I've knit in this yarn, you've probably gotten the impression that I dig me some Ultra Pima. And I do. Which is why I thought it would be super fun to knit a wide color change piece with some nice drape. And I have to say, I like the way it turned out... 

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (100% Pima Cotton; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #3777 African Violet - 1 skein (Color A), #3705 Heathered Pansy - 1 skein (Color B)
The back.

Needles: One 32" circular needle in size 6, one 24" circular needle, also in size 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, three stitch markers or yarn scraps to mark stitches

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using your 32" circular needle and whichever color you've designated as color A (for us, it's African Violet), cast on 210 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then, purl four rows, placing one marker after 35 stitches, and the second marker when you're 35 stitches away from your row marker on the other side. For now, slip both extra markers when you come to them.

Now that the set-up is complete, let's move on to the pattern. And it goes as follows:

Row 1: using color B, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Row 2: using color A, knit, slipping extra markers when you come to them

Repeat rows 1 - 2 ten times, and then we'll move on to our next set of rows, which go as follows:


Row 3: using color B, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Row 4: using color B, knit, slipping extra markers when you come to them

Row 5: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Row 6: using color A, knit, slipping extra markers when you come to them

Knit rows 3 - 6 once, and then repeat rows 1 & 2 once more. Then, we'll go back to rows 3 - 6 and knit them three more times. And at this point, it's time for the next set of rows, like so (oh, and you may also want to switch to your 24" needle soon):

Rows 7 & 9: using color B, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Row 8: using color B, knit, slipping extra markers when you come to them

Rows 10 & 12: using color A, knit, slipping extra markers when you come to them

Row 11: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Knit rows 7 - 12 once, and then knit rows 3 - 6 once more. Then, we'll move on to our final decrease row, which goes as follows:

Row 13: using color B, knit until you're two stitches from first extra stitch marker; k2tog, slip marker, and knit until next marker; then, slip marker, ssk, and knit until end of row

Repeat row 13 until there is only one stitch left between your extra stitch markers and your row marker. Remove extra markers, switch to your color A yarn, and purl four rows. Bind off loosely and tuck in ends. And finally, if it suits your fancy, roll over cast-on and bound-off edges towards wrong side of piece (which is how they'll naturally lie either way) and seam into neat little rolls. Block, if desired (I totally didn't).

The top edge of my piece, which I seamed.




A bit better picture of the color pattern.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Gretchen, I am trying so hard to knit the Arrowhead cowl. I get to the part of wrap and turn and start back but when I get to the wrap and turn do I pick up the wrap and the stitch that it is on and knit or purl it? Then do I go all the way to other end and do the same there as I did at the other end? I get that far and I get so messed up. Hope you can help me out. Please.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susan!

      Let me see if I can help. It sounds like you're just starting the short rows, so you're knitting farther and farther along in each subsequent short row (on the first one you're working 5 stitches, the next 7, etc). So, on your first short row, you will complete the first 5 stitches in your k1, p1 ribbing, w&t around the next purl stitch (so you don't purl it, but just wrap your yarn around it), and then work your ribbing back to the beginning of the row. On your next row, when you're working 7 stitches before you w&t, you will pick up the yarn you looped around your 6th stitch and purl it with the stitch itself when you get to it. Then, of course, you'll repeat the same process on each subsequent row (and also, because this is worked in a ribbing, it will look pretty much the same even if you don't pick up your wraps when you come to them, so if you're getting frustrated with that portion, you could always just knit right across them like they're not there; no one will ever know!!!).

      And finally, if the short rows really aren't working out for you, I'm guessing that the pattern would look very similar even without them. You could always omit them entirely, and I think you'd still be happy with your result!

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