Zigzag Cowl

Zigzag Cowl

Okay, last year I knit my mother a cowl out of a different color of this same yarn, and I was very impressed by its airy texture and attractive folding. So when I saw another color, especially one with such nice earth tones, I had to get it and try again. This particular cowl is really dang wide (roughly 15" - which makes it layer so nicely), and this variegated yarn suits it perfectly, creating delicate and even stripes. I chose to knit it on the shorter side so that it would sit close to the neck and keep a person warm, but with a few more inches of length it would suit warmer temperatures as well. And it's just so pretty!

The pattern

Yarn: Berroco Comfort Sock (50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic; 447 yards [412 meters]/100 grams); #1814 Dunedin - one skein

Needles: One set of straight needles in size 3 (fine, I knit it on a 16" circular needle, but that's because I can't stand straights. It's a back-and-forth knit either way)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 30 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Cast on 80 stitches (you can cast on less, as long as you cast on an even number, if you don't want your piece to be quite as wide. you will lose volume, however). And now, let's begin the pattern, which is Zigzag Lace Trellis from page 190 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns.

Row 1 (wrong side) & all other odd rows: purl

Rows 2, 4, and 6: k1, * yo, k2tog; rep from *, end k1

Rows 8, 10, and 12: k1, * ssk, yo *, end k1

V-Neck Cowl

V-Neck Cowl

Okay, so I began this cowl with the idea that it would be more roundish, but I ended up really loving the V-shape, especially when I embellished the bottom (close-up pictures later). I also love the way this yarn knits, drapes, and feels, and this pattern ended up being a good statement piece. If, you know, you're trying to say, "I like to knit V-neck cowls."

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (100% Pima Cotton; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #3705 Heathered Pansy - one skein

Needles: Straight or longish circular needle(s) in size 6 and two double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 6 (or 5, or whatever's close that you've got hanging around).

Notions: Tapestry needle and stitch marker

Notions for optional embellishment: enough beads to do what you want to do, a needle small enough to fit through their little holes, and thread in a color that works with your piece

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Okay, so let's get started! First, cast on 162 stitches. Next, knit one set-up row (this will be the wrong side of your piece), placing your marker after 81 stitches. And now it's time to begin the pattern, which goes as follows:

Swiss Fan Cowl

Swiss Fan Cowl

Okay, here's another basic cowl, with a bit of added interest due to the scalloped cast-on edge (yes, it looks better upside down). And yeah, that's all I've got in the way of introduction...

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #9442 Baby Rose - one skein

A close-up of the pattern.

Needles: One 24" circular needle in size 7

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker or yarn scrap to mark end of round 

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches on size 7 needles

Loosely cast on 126 stitches, place marker, and join in round. The design we'll be knitting is a variation of the Swiss Fan pattern, from page 324 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and goes as follows:

Row 1: * p1, k7, p1; rep from *

Rows 2 & 6: * p1, ssk, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, k2tog, p1 *

Rows 3 & 7: * p1, k9, p1 *

Rows 4 & 8: * p1, ssk, k5, k2tog, p1 *

Rows 5 & 9: * p1, k7, p1 *

Rows 10 & 11: purl

Knit Rows 1 - 11 four times through, and then knit Rows 1 - 8 once more. Bind off loosely. Finally, tuck in ends, 'cause you're done.