The path follows a small mountain stream winding and bubbling its way down into the valley. Alpine vegetation dots our way up. We enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Nature. Cradled near the stream, one flower calls me off the path: Delicately shaped like a star, tiny buds raise in an umbel, forming an exuberant dome in pink and white. This is the Astrantia major, a flower that seems to have been created by a skilled origami artist.
The Iztrancia cowl is inspired by these star-shaped flowers, branching out and reaching to the sky. Iztrancia is a wordplay on the name of the Astrantia Major. The cowl is reversible and showcases two-color brioche stitch patterns creating shapes evoking leaves and umbels.
Join us on this flowery journey and wrap yourself in a lavish play of winding lines.

For best effect, use a round yarn (plied or single) with reasonably good stitch definition. Yarn weights ranging from Fingering to Aran would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend using one solid or semi-solid as main color, and one solid, semi-solid, gradient (single skein) or self-striping yarn as contrast color. Choose two colorways that have enough value contrast (light vs. dark when seen in black and white).

Do you like the Iztrancia cowl? You might like those patterns too: The Humbelli cowl, and The Lotus Pond cowl. For endless fun with botanical two-color brioche! Check them out!

Yarns
Lanivendole A Pure & Simple Wool (Sport, 100% Wool; 300 meters / 328 yards per 100 grams); MC: 1 skein, CC: 1 skein. Sample uses 93 grams in color Onice (MC), 70 grams in color Ambra (CC).

Needles
2.75 mm (US size 2) 80 cm / 32 inches circular needle or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge
21.5 stitches and 32 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Brioche stitch, unblocked.
19 stitches and 25 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stitch pattern C – Cluster of Leaves or stitch pattern D – Inflorescence, blocked.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.

Notions
Removable stitch markers: 1 in color A (beginning-of-round marker), 7 in color B (optional). Tapestry needle. Blocking pins. Blocking wires (optional).

Size
One; easily customizable.

Final measurements
Circumference (c): 92 cm / 36.25 inches, height (h): 33.5 cm / 13.25 inches.

Skill level
Basic stitches. Brioche basic stitches. Brioche multiple increases and decreases. Brioche stitch pattern requiring some attention. Working in two-color Brioche in the round. Elastic BO.
Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.

Pattern notes
This pattern is worked in the round with both garter stitch and two-color brioche. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided as well as clear video tutorials for the used stitches and techniques.

Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.

Thank you note
I’d like to send a big thank you to my truly awesome test knitters on Ravelry: canopycraft, kallyknits. Thanks a lot for your time and dedication, for helping me make this pattern even better and for showing how the pattern would look like with different yarns!

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

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