What started as an exercise in improving my own knitting turned into a cowl I couldn’t put down and wanted to share.

This cowl was designed using a chunky, next-to-the-skin soft yarn to create a cozy accessory that is perfect for both gift giving and selfish knitting. Whether you’re a beginner looking for something just beyond the basics or an expert looking for a break from complex charts, this project can fill the need. This simple slip-stitch colorwork pattern is easy enough to work comfortably but engaging enough to suck you in.

This pattern makes for excellent last-minute gifts. I chose two contrasting shades of grey not only to show off the stitch pattern but also give knitters a blank canvas upon which to imagine their own favorite color combinations. I can picture Breckle in a jewel-toned variegated yarn paired with a dark solid to make it pop and in shades of purple for a favorite pick at my knit group’s holiday gift exchange. The possibilities are endless.

Though not previously define, Breckle will be synonymous with cozy warmth and giving — perfect for the season.