MANJAL is inspired by the Indian turmeric (haldi in Hindi, haridra in Sanskrit or manjal in my native language Tamil)!

Known as the golden spice, turmeric is integral to Indian cuisine, medicine, marriages, and even worship. Turmeric symbolizes prosperity, fertility, purity and its deep yellow is associated with the Sun and abundance; being a rhizome, it also signifies a spiritual connection with the Earth. Rice pots decorated with turmeric shoots are part of the popular harvest festival of Pongal/Sankranthi. The Indian curries in their variety of colours and flavours would be totally incomplete without the addition of this super spice – manjal or turmeric.

The Manjal Cowl is worked flat with lots of textural interest. The design incorporates bobbles, cables, ribbing, with simple knit-purl stitches. The design uses bobbles to represent the tiny turmeric rhizomes and twisted cables to represent the roots. The design is wearable almost all year round, and is ideal for fall, cold winters and even early spring.

Knit in Malabrigo Rios (Sunset shade), the design makes for a great knit for cable enthusiasts, bobble lovers, adventurous beginners and even seasoned knitters.

Finished Measurements
52” 132 cm wide at the bottom, 40” 102 cm wide at the centre cabled section, 38” wide 97 cm at the top, and 11” 28 cm in height, as measured when open and unbuttoned, after wet blocking.

Yarn
Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino; 210 yards 192 meters/100 grams): Sunset, 2 balls

Needles
US size 6 (4 mm), size 8 (5 mm), and size 9 (5.5 mm): 24” (61 cm) circular needles.

Notions
Removable stitch markers, cable needle (optional), tapestry needle/crochet hook to weave in ends, blocking pins or wires, six 1” buttons, tapestry needle to sew buttons.

Gauge
17 sts and 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in 2x2 Rib st using largest size (US 9/5.5 mm) needles.
22 sts and 32 rows = 4” (10 cm) in 2x2 Rib st using smallest size (US 6/4 mm) needles.
21 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Cable st patt using medium size (US 8/5 mm) needles.
1 cable pattern repeat=8” wide and 5” high.

Techniques
Cable knitting, long tail cast on, 2x2 ribbing, bobble stitch, yarn over buttonholes, knit increases/decreases, purl decrease, sewing buttons.

About Indian Designers’ Collaboration (InDesCo):
InDesCo is a platform to showcase the works of independent knit and crochet designers of India. The fourth edition is themed “Spices of India“ and features knit and crochet designs by Indian designers. The Manjal Cowl is my contribution to this edition of InDesCo.