The Gated Garden cowl is a perfect project for practicing stranded colorwork and steeking. With just two colors, you can practice holding multiple colors without having to constantly change yarn colors. The pattern also introduces steeking with a full video tutorial walking through the complete process.

The cowl is worked in four stages – the bottom folded hem is worked flat; steek stitches are cast on and the work is joined in the round; when the colorwork is complete, the top folded hem is worked flat before binding off. Finishing is the final stage – sewing the top and bottom hems to the inside, securing and cutting the steek, knitting the button bands, and adding the buttons.

Stitch pattern is charted only (no written instructions for the stranded colorwork pattern).

Finished Measurements:
Circumference: 20 in (51 cm)
Height: 7 in (18 cm)

Yarn:
This stranded colorwork cowl is designed with fingering-weight yarn. The samples are worked in Knit Picks Palette, a two-ply yarn available in a wide range of colors. Choose two high-contrast colors for the best color effect.

Fingering weight yarn (Craft Yarn Council Superfine 1)
194 yds (177 m) C1
92 yds (84 m) C2

Shown in:
Knit Picks Palette (231 yds/211 m, 1.75 oz/50 g, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool):
Sample 1: 1 skein each Rouge (C1) and White (C2)
Sample 2: 1 skein Blue Bayou (C1) and Nimbus (C2)

Needles:
US 4 (3.5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular needles

Gauge:
26 sts & 35 rnds = 4 in/10 cm in stranded pattern

Additional Materials:
stitch markers, tapestry needle, 5 half-inch (13-14 mm) buttons

Techniques:
Seaming (video tutorial included)
Stranded colorwork
Working in the round on circular needles
Working from a chart
Steeking