Tighter cowl shown in photos.
In Boston on New Year’s Day, the L Street Brownies host a Polar Plunge. Lots of crazy people put on their bathing suits and jump in the ocean. And out again really fast. I have always loved the name Polar Bear Plunge, but never could marry it to a knitted item. Then I saw a photo of a Polar Bear walking across ice floes and getting ready to plunge for a fish. And around the corner, a young bear learning from the momma bear. I thought it would make a fun cowl and I am on a “bear” binge this design season, so what the heck? I love it in blue and white but white and grey or grey and blue or any combination you like would work! That is me in the cowl. Sorry about that. Will grab my daughter soon for better photos on the pattern page.

Gauge is less important on a cowl. If you go up a needle size or two, then you can work the smaller size but get a bigger cowl. I like my fabric a little tighter so gauge does matter to me. Other small changes have been made for each size to create the best look.

NOTE: In photos, the yarns are Malabrigo Rios in Denim (CC) and Cascade 220 Superwash Merino in White (MC). Some folks don’t want to combine 2 different yarns so suggestions for each type of yarn in two colors are provided above. Sizes are (TIGHTER, LOOSER).

Materials: (photos show MC = Cascade in White, CC = Rios in Denim)
Cascade 220 Superwash Merino Worsted: White (MC) Medium Blue (CC)
Malabrigo Rios Superwash Merino: Pearl (MC) (very pale grey) Denim (CC)

MC (115, 125 ) yds / ( 105, 115 ) m CC ( 115, 125 ) yds / ( 105, 115 ) m
US Size 7 / 4.5 mm 26 inch Circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
12 Stitch Markers Sharp Darning Needle

Gauge: 20 sts X 25 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stranded colorwork, blocked
if you get more rows per in than above, add more rows of MC before beginning chart to keep finished height on track.
Finished Circumference: ( 21.5, 24 ) in / ( 51.5, 61 ) cm
Finished Height: ( 9.5, 9.5 ) in / ( 24, 24 ) cm