I’m a Greek mythology nerd. Since I was a little kid, I have loved reading Greek myths and the modern stories they inspire. With these stories floating around my head, I instantly think of Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, when I see rainbow yarn. And, wow, can Malabrigo do rainbow yarn! They have multiple, beautiful, rainbow-inspired colorways. I was lucky enough to be able to work with two of them for this Malabrigo Quickie design – Diana and Arco Iris. I was so enthralled with the beautiful colors that I ended up creating two versions of this cowl - a long version (shown in Diana and Pearl) and a short version (shown in Arco Iris and Pearl). Instructions for both are included in the pattern.

In the world of Greek mythology, Iris was married to Zephyros, the god of the west wind. Iris and Zephyros were the parents of Eros, the god of love and passion. I can definitely imagine how the coming together of the rainbow and the west wind would bring about the variegated vibrancy of passionate love.

For this design, I wanted to find a way to knit up the image in my head of the west wind rushing to embrace the rainbow. This is represented in the design by the garter stripes continuously flowing towards the rainbow mosaic stockinette sections. The arc of the rainbow is also echoed in the matching I-cord cast on and bind-off. Knit flat on long, circular needles, this cowl is then seamed with an easy garter stitch seaming method.

If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of mosaic knitting, never fear! This is a great pattern to learn how to knit mosaic with - detailed introductions to mosaic knitting and mosaic charts are provided, along with a full written-out version of the mosaic chart used in the pattern. The pattern also includes a photo tutorial for the garter stitch seaming method used, as well as a walk-through for the I-cord cast on and bind-off methods.

Are you passionate about Greek mythology? Or perhaps just Malabrigo’s amazing rainbow yarn? Then grab your needles and cast on a blustery rainbow of your own!

Techniques Used with Tutorials Provided:
I-cord Cast On
Mosaic Knitting
I-cord Bind Off
Invisible Vertical Garter Stitch Seaming

Yarn Used in Samples:
Malabrigo Yarn Rios (Worsted / 10 ply; 100% superwash Merino wool; 210 yd 192 m per 100 g skein)
Long Cowl: Diana, 1 skein (MC); Pearl, 1 skein (CC)
Short Cowl: Arco Iris, 1 skein (MC); Pearl, 1 skein (CC)

Needles:
US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm circular needle, 32” (80 cm) or longer

Notions:
Stitch markers, yarn needle

Yardage Estimates from Sample:
Long Cowl:
MC: 147 yd (134 m), 70 g ; CC: 104 yd (95 m), 49.5 g
Short Cowl:
MC: 103 yd (94 m), 49 g ; CC: 71 yd (65 m), 33.8 g

Final Measurements:
Long Cowl: Length: 48” (122 cm); Width: 5.75” (14.5 cm)
Short Cowl: Length: 21” (53.5 cm); Width: 8.75” (22 cm)

This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.

I would like to extend a very special thank you to Malabrigo Yarn, to my fabulous technical editor (tricotedit), to my wonderful, helpful test knitters (cielocellista, Spinkanator, tgulling, lauragnice, and mrldz), and, of course, to my gorgeous model and best friend, thatblueyedchic. ευχαριστώ! (Thank you in Greek!)