This versatile lace cowl requires 300-325 yds (274-297 m) each of two colors. It begins with a provisional cast on and is knit in one piece in the round, with the main body being worked in a simple dropped stitch pattern. The edgings are worked perpendicularly to the body. No bind off is needed because the live stitches are consumed as the edging is knit on.

Both sides of the main stitch pattern are attractive and the edgings are completely reversible, so there is no particular right or wrong side or top or bottom edge.

This pattern is designed for a single-ply yarn with long, slow color transitions, such as Knit Picks Chroma-Fingering or Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi. The subtle color blending is achieved by working alternate rows with two colors. Each edging is worked using only one of the colors.

A set of interchangeable circular needles is ideal for this project; the provisional cast on can be worked over an extra circular cable with end caps attached instead of waste yarn. Before working the lower edging, the end caps are replaced with the appropriate-sized needle tips, thus avoiding the need to transfer live stitches from waste yarn to circular needle.

It is important not to split the yarn when knitting because the stitches that are dropped need to be free to unravel. It is helpful to use needles with blunt tips made of bamboo or wood, rather than sharp metal tips. Be sure to swatch so that you can determine whether your needles and yarn are compatible with the Vertical Drop Stitch.

Charts and written instructions are provided.

This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.