Lace Ladder Cowl

Lace Ladder Cowl

Nothin' says springtime like a cowl (well, let's be fair - some crocuses would help too, but I think they're still too scared to poke up), and this linen-blend is a nice weight for the changing seasons. This design is also well-suited to nubbly or variegated yarns, since you don't need to make out the pattern super-well to appreciate the overall result.

The pattern, close up

Yarn: Kraemer Belfast (42% Cotton, 22% Linen, 20% Viscose, 11% Acrylic, 5% Silk; 220 yards [201 meters]/100 grams); color #Y2101 Rose - one skein

Needles: Straight needles in size US 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, five stitch markers

Gauge: 21 stitches = 4 inches

So let's get started! First, cast on 12 stitches loosely and knit one row across. And then we'll proceed like so:

Row 1 (wrong side): (k1, p1) twice, purl until there are four stitches left in row, (p1, k1) twice

Row 2: (k1, p1) twice, m1r, knit until there are four stitches left in row, m1l, (p1, k1) twice

Knit rows 1 & 2 until you have 28 stitches on your needle and you've just completed row 1 of the pattern. Then we're going to move on to the main pattern, which incorporates Garter Stitch Lace Ladder from page 188 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and goes as follows:

Row 1 (right side): (k1, p1) twice, * k2tog, (yo) twice, ssk; rep from * until you have four stitches left in row, (p1, k1) twice

Row 2: (k1, p1) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1 * until there are four stitches left in row, (p1, k1) twice

Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 29", or you're just about 3" from desired finished length, and you've just finished row 1 of the pattern. Then we'll work one transition row, like so:

Transition Row: (k1, p1) twice, * p1, (k1, p1) into double yo, p1 * until there are four stitches left in row, (p1, k1) twice

And then work in a few decreases to match the beginning, in this fashion:

Row 1: (k1, p1) twice, ssk, knit until you have six stitches left in row, k2tog, (p1, k1) twice

Row 2: (k1, p1) twice, purl until there are four stitches left in row, (p1, k1) twice

Knit rows 1 & 2 until there are 12 stitches left on needle and you've just completed row 2. Knit one final row and then bind off loosely. Seam and tuck in ends.