The Diamondback cowl is a fun and easy way to indulge in some colourwork in the round while you knit up a cosy accessory. It is a quick knit that requires no float management so it is a great project for colourwork beginners to gain confidence, and for experienced strand-knitters to relax with. The snake skin inspired pattern looks fantastic in any colour, but works particularly well with a colour-shifting contrast and solid main.

The pattern is adjustable in circumference, has full written instructions for all the colourwork, as well as inverse versions of the chart to better reflect the yarn combo you choose.

Yarn Requirements (either size)
M (main colour): 1 skein of Spincycle Yarns Metamorphic at 366m/400yd per skein.
C (contrast colour): 1 skein of Spincycle Yarns Dream State at 137m/150yd per skein.

Yarn substitution: Worsted or DK weight yarns at approx. 180m/197yd per 100g/3.53oz are best for similar results.

Needles & Notions
4mm (US 6) needles and 5mm (US 8) needles. You can use a single 60cm (24”) circular needle (or longer as required), or two circular needles (if you like to use the Magic Loop method). 1 stitch marker for marking the beginning of rounds and additional markers if you would like to separate your repeats. Tapestry needle.

Tension/Gauge
21 sts x 24 rows to 10cm (4”) over main fabric on 5mm (US 8) needles after blocking.

Sample Information
Size S: 57cm/22.4” circumference, 28cm/11” tall.
M (main colour): approx. 133m/146yd Cleckheaton Country Tartan at 190m/208yd per 100g/3.53oz (col. 2802).
C (contrast colour): approx. 68m/75yd Spincycle Yarns Dream State at 137m/150yd per skein (col. Bright Idea).

Size L: 94.5cm/37” circumference, 27cm/10.6” tall.
M (main colour): approx. 207m/227yd Nundle Woollen Mill Superwash Merino at 180m/197yd per 100g/3.53oz (col. Undyed).
C (contrast colour): approx. 137m/150yd Spincycle Yarns Dream State at 137m/150yd per skein. (col. Wololo).

Brooklyn Tweed have a great tutorial on Colour Dominance here if you’d like to gain more confidence in your stranded knitting technique.