Overview

Houndstooth is a classic, even iconic woven pattern, often associated with woollen outerwear. With the first known example, the Gerum cloak found in Sweden dating back thousands of years, it’s use in 19th century for lowland scots shepherds cloaks, it’s adoption by fashion designers such as Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, its use on a 16th century Japanese tea jar, a 20th Century Inuk parka, Hawaiian plaited grass and African woven basketwork, it could be said to be woven into our collective consciousness.

Here in knitted form, the pattern is instantly recognisable and provides a similar warm fabric to its woven counterpart that is equally perfect for those colder months. This tubular infinity cowl knitted with a simple but incredibly effective one colour at a time slipped stitch houndstooth pattern, is a great meditative knit that is bound to become a timeless wardrobe staple. Playing with the colour change sequencing, it lends itself to both intentional colour blocking or random use of leftovers. 

The Valdes cowl is names for Beverly Valdes, the first African-American woman to be hired as an in-house model by a significant fashion designer in the Unites States, Pauline Trigère, who herself used houndstooth fabrics in her designs. I share more of their story on my blog at TessYoungDesigns.com

The cowl is knitted in the round with either a provisional cast on and kitchener stitch graft to finish or a standard cast on and cast of and sewn up. 

Yarn
If using the yarn suggested you will need 1 skein of Yarn A (175m) and 2 skeins of each Yarn B (350m) and C (350m).

Gauge

22 sts x 41 rows = 4 x 4 inches / 10cm x 10cm over the slipped stitch houndstooth pattern.

Needles & Notions

• 3.5 mm (US4mm) 40cm/16inch circular needle, or needle size that will enable you to get gauge.
• Crochet hook in the same size for the provisional cast on (optional).
• Spare 3.5mm (US4) circular needle or smaller for grafting (optional)
• Waste yarn for the provisional cast on (optional)
• Stitchmarker
• Tapestry needle for sewing in ends and grafting

Format
The pattern is provided as 5 page english language PDF document. The first page contains the overview and photograph, and page 4 is dedicated to written instructions for the recommended but optional provisional cast on and kitchener stitch graft.