Twisted Stitch Columns Cowl

   Winter hit Portland hard this year.  Lots of snow and ice on the roads meant less driving and more walking.  And who doesn't like a walk through beautiful snow covered woods and fields?  However, I needed to add a nice long cowl to my armory of cold weather gear.  I chose this pattern for two reason.  First, it has a good amount of stretch to it.  Second, the ribbing and columns give it a vertical...I want to say rigidity...so that it won't sag downward off my face.  The pattern itself is a very simple 13 stitch repeat that resets every 4 rows, so once you get going you won't even need to look at the pattern any more.

Materials you will need:

• 1 full 100 gram skein of worsted weight yarn.  I used my favorite local brand Bumblebirch, in the color Spruce
• US #7 circular needles approximately 30"
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

Skills you will need:

• Casting on 
• Knit 
• Purl
• Right Twist (RT) - K2tog leaving both stitches on the left hand needle, then knit the first stitch again
• Binding off
• Weaving in ends

 

  I don't think that gauge is important for this project as it doesn't need to be form fitted and the ribbing will allow for a good stretch.  However, if you're interested my gauge was 4"= 30 stitches and 33 rows in pattern.

  Begin by casting on 130 stitches.  This will be ten repeats of the 13 stitch pattern.  If you would like to make a smaller or larger version of this cowl be sure to adjust the cast on by 13 stitches.  Be sure to use a very stretchy cast on.  You'll need the bottom to easily stretch.  

  Once you have your stitches cast on, place your marker and join in the round.  The rest of this project is quite simply a 4 row repeating pattern of 13 stitches.  Knit for as many rows as you like.  My project used the entire skein and ended up about 9.5" tall.  I feel like this is a good length to keep the bottom snugly over my neck and collarbone while allowing the top to come up over my nose if needed.  It also looks pretty good folded in half.

• Row 1: [P1, K1] 3 times, P1, RT 3 times.  Repeat to marker.
• Row 2: [P1, K1] 3 times, P1, K6.  Repeat.
• Row 3: [P1, K1] 3 times, P1, K1, RT 2 times, K1.  Repeat.
• Row 4: [P1, K1] 3 times, P1, K6.  Repeat.

  

  And its as easy as that!  You thought it would be harder didn't you 😉.  Just be sure to end the pattern on row 4.  I suggest binding off in pattern.  That will allow the top edge to stretch but also keep it snug around your face if you want to pull it up over your nose.  Then cut the yarn, weave in, yada yada yada.  Enjoy your new cowl!

Drifting Sands Beanie

  This beanie is inspired by a pattern I saw in The Knit Stitch Pattern Handbook.  It's a nice resource of 300 patterns of all types.  The repeating wavy pattern caught my eye and I knew that I wanted to make a beanie with it.  It's a very simple pattern using only knits and purls which repeats every 5 rows.  The result is a fun looking pattern with a nice texture to it as well.
  This pattern has a good amount of stretch to it, both vertically and horizontally, so gauge isn't too important.  My head is 22", and the hat I made fits snugly but without needing to be stretched.  It comes down over my ears easily.  If I pull it down tight it fits as a skullcap, but it can also be worn a little bit more loosely.

Materials You Will Need:

• Approximately 55 grams of sport weight yarn.  I used Malabrigo Arroyo in the color Sand Bank.
• US #4 circular needles 22" (or DPNs)
• US #6 circular needles 22" (or DPNs)
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

Skills You Will Need:

• Casting on
• Knit 
• Purl
• K2tog
• P2tog
• SSK
• SSP
• Weaving in ends

  The gauge I got with the US #6 needles in the repeating pattern was 25 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches.  Like I said, since this pattern has a very forgiving stretch, gauge isn't vital in my opinion.  But it could be useful if you want to adjust this pattern for a difference sized head.

  Begin by casting on 126 stitches, or whatever multiple of 14 you think will work best for your hat, onto the smaller needles.  I used the long tail cast on.  Place your stitch marker here to designate the end of your row, and join in the round.

  Knit 2x2 ribbing for approximately 1 inch.  Now switch over to your larger needles for the body of the hat.  The pattern repeats every 5 rows.  Knit this pattern as many times as you need until you have a total of 6 inches of knitting, including the 2x2 rib brim.

• Row 1 = *P1, K3, P7, K3* repeat to marker
• Row 2 = *P2, K3, P5, K3, P1* 
• Row 3 = *K1, P2, K9, P2* 
• Row 4 = *K2, P2, K7, P2, K1*
• Row 5 = *K3, P2, K5, P2, K2*

  Be sure to end the body of your hat on row 5, so the crown decreases will properly continue the pattern.  The crown uses alternating left and right decreases in order to prevent twisting the pattern.  Switch to DPNs or use the magic loop technique whenever you need to.

• Row 1 = *P1, K3, P2, P2tog, P3, K3* = 117 stitches
• Row 2 = *P2, K3, P4, K3, P1*
• Row 3 = *K1, P2, K3, K2tog, K3, P2* = 108 stitches
• Row 4 = *K2, P2, K5, P2, K1*
• Row 5 = *K3, P2, SSK, K1, P2, K2* = 99 stitches
• Row 6 = *P1, K3, P4, K3* 
• Row 7 = *P2, K3, SSP, K3, P1* = 90 stitches
• Row 8 = *K1, P2, K5, P2* 
• Row 9 = *K2, P2, SSK, K1, P2, K1* = 81 stitches
• Row 10 = *K3, P4, K2*
• Row 11 = *P1, K3, P2, K1, K2tog* = 72 stitches
• Row 12 = *P2, K1, SSK, K2, P1* = 63 stitches
• Row 13 = *K1, P2, K2tog, P2* = 54 stitches
• Row 14 = *K2, P2tog, P1, K1* = 45 stitches
• Row 15 = *P1, K1, SSP, K1* = 36 stitches
• Row 16 = *K1 P2tog, K1* = 27 stitches
• Row 17 = *P1, K2tog* = 18 stitches
• Row 18 = *SSK* = 9 stitches

  Cut your yarn leaving at least an 8 inch tail.  Using your tapestry needle, weave the remaining tail through the last 9 stitches.  Weave in both of your ends and enjoy!