Butterfly Stitch Cowl

Butterfly Stitch Cowl

Okay, I'll own it: a linen blend yarn isn't particularly winter-y, and I should probably stick to super cold-weather yarns now that the temperature has dropped. Luckily for me, though, this pattern makes such a robust and supple fabric that the yarn's fiber mix hardly seems to matter. And it's not just the Butterfly Stitch Cowl's yarn that's versatile, either, it's also the sizing. In fact, I've provided a version for everyone 2 and older. Hello mommy-daughter matching time!

Sizes: Toddler (Child; Adult)

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Linen Concerto (48% Rayon, 42% Linen, 10% Cotton; 101 yards [92 meters]/50 grams); #01 Cream - 2 skeins (2 - 3 skeins, depending on length; 3 skeins)

A better look at the pattern

Needles: 16" circular needle in size US 5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches

So let's get started! First, cast on 100 (110; 120) stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit five set-up rows, as follows:

Set-up Rows 1 - 4: purl

Set-up Row 5: knit

And now let's move on to the main pattern, which is Butterfly Stitch from page 101 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, except adapted for the round. Before we get to that, however, let's define our butterfly stitch as follows:

bs (butterfly stitch) (yes this abbreviation makes me happy): slip 1 stitch purlwise (this stitch should be the middle stitch above your five slipped bars), then insert right-hand needle down behind 5 bars and pull them up, then insert left-hand needle up behind the 5 bars (which will orient them knitwise). Finally, slip middle stitch back to left-hand needle and knit all 5 bars and middle stitch together

Or if that seems like an awful lot of boring reading, you can also watch my very first instructional video. Don't judge my scratched-up hands! It's the baby's fault, I swear - the kid's got some serious nails!!!

Anyway, now that that's covered we'll proceed as follows. As always with slipped stitches, remember to keep your yarn LOOOOOOOOOSE. Or in other words, spread those stitches out when slip the yarn in front of them; otherwise, your pattern will be much less pretty.

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9: * k5, slip 5 with yarn in front (wyif); rep from *

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: knit

Row 10: * k7, bs, k2 *

Rows 11, 13, 15, 17, & 19: * slip 5 wyif, k5 *

Rows 12, 14, 16, & 18: knit

Row 20: * k2, bs, k7 *

Knit rows 1 - 20 twice (three times; four times) (NOTE: if you're making this cowl for an older toddler, I recommend knitting rows 1 - 20 three times; similarly, if you're making this cowl for an older child, I recommend knitting rows 1 - 20 four times - obviously, these adjustments will mean you may need more yarn). Then knit the following finish rows:

Finish Row 1: knit

Finish Rows 2 - 5: purl

Bind off loosely and tuck in ends. If desired, stitch purled edgings in place where they naturally curl under. Block, if desired (the fabric will have a naturally bumpy texture if left unblocked, which I dig. I imagine you can flatten it out by stretching it a bit when you block it).