Meowl Cowl

Meowl Cowl
Size Medium

First off; yes, I realize that I totally shouldn't name any of my knitting patterns after a joke in the movie Super Troopers, but - hey meow, sometimes, once the name appears in your head, you just can't shake it. Anyway, in this particular case, it seemed reasonably fitting. The yarn itself has a bit of tortoise shell/bird feather thing going on, for one thing, and the long slipped stitches also create a curvy zigzag pattern that somehow reminds me of a cat's claw. All of that aside, this is also a fun-to-knit, unisex pattern that's good for kids and grown-ups alike!

Sizes: Small (Medium; Large) (in general, small is for children or teens, medium for teens or adults, and large for adults who want a less snug-fitting cowl)

Yarn: A Secret Stash Ninja DK (100% Merino; 255 yards [233 meters]/100 grams); Ebony & Ivory - one skein (one skein; one - two skeins)

A better look at the long
slipped stitch pattern. Zig-zaggy, no?

Needles: one 16" circular needle in size US 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

So let's get started! First, then, cast on 108 (126; 144) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit a few set-up rows, as follows. To do this, we'll need the following notation:

fisherman's rib stitch (frs): knit next stitch in stitch below, slipping right-hand needle into stitch and then between the two stitches looped around the back of the stitch, such that you're knitting both the stitch on the needle and the top loop (see video below if this seems confusing)

And now that we're caught up on terminology, let's get started. As a side note, if you have any trouble with the long slip stitches (which, yes, use a lot of words to describe but are essentially just cables), remember that you can perform them exactly like cables, but with no cable needle, of course! :) Anyway, let's work like so:

Set-up Row 1: * k4, p2, k1, p2; rep from * 

Set-up Row 2: * slip 1 stitch with yarn in back (sl1), k3, p2, k1 in stitch below, p2, k3, sl1, p2, k1 in stitch below, p2 * 

Set-up Rows 3 & 4: * sl1, k3, p2, frs, p2, k3, sl1, p2, frs, p2 *

Set-up Row 5: * drop slipped stitch from needle, then slip the next three stitches from your left-hand needle to your right-hand needle purlwise, and, using your left-hand needle, pick up the dropped stitch, being careful not to twist it. Slip the 3 stitches you previously slipped back to left-hand needle and k4; then, p2, frs, p2, and slip the next three stitches from left-hand needle to right hand needle purlwise. Drop next, slipped stitch from needle, and slip the three stitches back to left-hand needle. Pick up slipped stitch, place back on left-hand needle, and then k4, p2, frs, p2 *

Knit these five set-up rows, and then we'll work the pattern, as follows:

Row 1: * k4, p2, frs, p2 *

Rows 2 - 4: * k3, sl1, p2, frs, p2, sl1, k3, p2, frs, p2 *

Row 5: * slip the next three stitches from left-hand needle to right hand needle purlwise. Drop next, slipped stitch from needle, and slip the three stitches back to left-hand needle. Pick up slipped stitch, place back on left-hand needle, and k4; then, p2, frs, p2, and drop slipped stitch from needle, then slip the next three stitches from your left-hand needle to your right-hand needle purlwise, and, using your left-hand needle, pick up the dropped stitch, being careful not to twist it. Slip the 3 stitches you previously slipped back to left-hand needle and k4, p2, frs, p2 *

Row 6: * k4, p2, frs, p2 *

Rows 7 - 9: * sl1, k3, p2, k1 in stitch below, p2, k3, sl1, p2, k1 in stitch below, p2 * 

Row 10: * drop slipped stitch from needle, then slip the next three stitches from your left-hand needle to your right-hand needle purlwise, and, using your left-hand needle, pick up the dropped stitch, being careful not to twist it. Slip the 3 stitches you previously slipped back to left-hand needle and k4; then, p2, frs, p2, and slip the next three stitches from left-hand needle to right hand needle purlwise. Drop next, slipped stitch from needle, and slip the three stitches back to left-hand needle. Pick up slipped stitch, place back on left-hand needle, and then k4, p2, frs, p2 *

Knit rows 1 - 10 until piece measures roughly 8" (10"; 12") and you've just finished row 5 or 10 of the pattern. Bind off loosely, in pattern (which means knitting the knits and purling the purls). Tuck in ends, block, and wear or gift proudly, meow.