Parent-and-child cowls evoke the fun of Snakes & Ladders with a garter-stitch spiral that widens as it goes, spreading to cover the shoulders for a warm outer layer and ending in either a snake’s head (embellished with embroidered or button eyes and a felt tongue) or a more restrained square corner. Alternating colors suggest the bright blocks of a game board.

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This is a simple but skills-boosting project, supported with a photo tutorial for German short rows (included as a separate download for Ravelry purchases). It is worked flat, joining as you go and carrying the non-working yarn up inside the I-cord edging. This makes a beautiful, neat finish with the minimum of tidying up (and absolutely no seaming).

The pattern is written in three sizes, with the two adult sizes differing only in how much the cowl flares out over the shoulders.

Yarn
Miss Babs Yowza Mini
100% Superwash Merino wool; 200 yd/2.8oz (182 m/80 g) skeins
3 skeins; Adult version shown in Blue Slate (Color 1), Pallon Beach (Color 2) and Franklin (Color 3);
Child version shown in Scarlet Letter (Color 1), French Marigold (Color 2) and Ginkgo (Color 3).

Or approximately 200 yds/182 m of DK weight yarn in each of three colors.

Finished Measurements
Sizes: Child (Adult Small, Adult Large)
Samples shown are Child and Adult Large.
Circumference at neck: approximately 17 (21, 21)”/42.5 (52.5, 52.5) cm
Circumference at base: approximately 45 (53, 62)”/112.5 (132.5, 155) cm
Depth at widest point: approximately 13 (18, 18)”/32.5 (45, 45) cm

Needles
US 7 4.5 mm needles, straight or circular or size to obtain gauge

Gauge
Blocked: 19 stitches and 42 rows = 4”/10 cm square in garter stitch.
Unblocked: 19 stitches and 44 rows = 4”/10 cm square in garter stitch.

Gauge is not crucial for this project, but will affect yardage and finished size if different from above.

Notions
Scrap of red felt for tongue (optional)
Sewing needle and thread for tongue (optional)
Tapestry needle
Two ¾”/19 mm buttons for eyes (optional)

Thanks to my lovely testers, and to Miss Babs’ tech editors!

Note on joining at the start of Layer 2: don’t worry about the starting tip floating free; you can sew that down later when you weave in the ends.