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DETAILS
My hope for this cowl is to inspire you to try experimenting with gauge to play with the size of the cowl, explore different color possibilities, hold a couple strands of yarn together, or even better - spin your own yarn! The stitch pattern lends itself beautifully to a relaxing knit, but its unique construction makes it fun to knit again and again! This cowl is worked flat on the bias, and then seamed. You begin by increasing on both edges, then only one, and finally decreasing on one edge to create this unique shape!

SIZES
Toddler (Youth, Adult Small, Adult Large)

FINISHED GOAL MEASUREMENTS
Circumference - 18 (21, 24, 26)”/46 (53.5, 61, 66) cm
Back Neck Depth - 5.25 (7.25, 9.5, 9.5)”/13.5 (18.5, 24, 24) cm

YARN REQUIREMENTS
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

DK Weight Wool Yarn
Total approximate yardage per size: 65 (105, 157, 170) g/165 (265, 400, 430) yds/150 (245, 365, 395) m
Exact yardage will depend on size, gauge and yarn used.

Here is an estimate in grams of yarn necessary to use a different weight yarn in this pattern. Please note that these are just estimations. I recommend staying within the range of fingering to worsted weight yarns.
Fingering - 55 (85, 130, 140) g
Sport - 60 (90, 140, 150) g
Worsted - 70 (110, 165, 175) g

SUGGESTED YARN
For this cowl I chose my handspun, as it is the perfect canvas to watch how a new yarn knits up!

Sample A (aquas, greens and purples) is 100% Rambouillet in the one of a kind colorway “Fine by Me” dyed by Hello Yarn, and was spun as a fractal 3-ply into a DK weight yarn using a short forward draft. This sample was made following the written instructions.

Sample B (browns & purples) is a blend of different fibers spun as a 3-ply combo spin and coming in as a Fingering weight yarn at 14 WPI. This sample was made by following the alternative “recipe instructions” by knitting to specific dimensions.

The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing yarn for this cowl. Any of the yarns listed for The Traveler Shawl on the pattern page! We’ve put together a PDF of ideas for you below under Yarn Substitutions! My testers had great success knitting to the dimensions in the pattern, which left them open to choose their own yarn weight and gauge to knit at. So stash dive, spin your own yarn, or finally put that coveted skein you got at the festival last year to good use! I just recommend sticking to fingering, sport, DK or worsted weight (or combining yarns to land close to one of those weights).

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
US 6/4 mm - 24”/60 cm circular recommended
(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge. Cord length is not overly important, as you won’t be joining to work in the round.)

Here are the size needles I would recommend for other yarn weights. I personally prefer to knit my cowls with a bit more structure, so I opt for the smaller needle in the range.
Fingering Weight - US 2-3/2.75-3.25 mm
Sport Weight - US 4-5/3.5-3.75 mm
Worsted Weight - US 7-8/4.5-5 mm

NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, locking stitch marker (2), row counter (optional)

GAUGE
21 sts & 40 rows = 4”/10 cm - for the pattern as written, but will vary if you choose to knit yours at a different gauge with a different yarn/needle combo.

TECHNIQUES TO INDULGE IN
I-cord edges
Casting On
Knitting
Purling
Increasing
Working on the bias
Decreasing
Kitchener stitch
Seaming

YARN SUBSTITUTION IDEAS -
Click here to be directed to a pdf with some yarn substitution ideas! These yarns have not all been tested, so we can not guarantee their outcome, but we do hope they provide a jumping off point for inspiration!