Snowflake Cowl

  What could be a more appropriate lace pattern for a cowl than snowflakes?  Wear this on a snowy winter day and you'll blend right in!  I found this repeating pattern in "750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible".  The pattern is knit flat, then the ends are sewn together.  After blocking, the final dimensions for this project are 60" in circumference by 6" in width.

Materials You Will Need:

• 1 skein of dk weight yarn.  I used a local Portland OR dyer Bumblebirch, in the color Agave.
• US #10 needles
• Row counter
• Tapestry needle
• Blocking pins and matts

Skills You Will Need:

• Casting on
• k (knit)
• p (purl)
• sl1 (slip 1 purl-wise with the yarn in back)
• k2tog (knit 2 stitches together)
• skpo (slip 1 knit-wise with yarn in back, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over)
• sl2 (slip 2 knit-wise with yarn in back)
• p2sso (pass 2 slipped stitches over)
• yo (yarn over)
• Binding off
• Blocking
• Sewing ends together
• Weaving in ends

A Note on the Slipped Stitches: The first stitch of every row will be slipped purl-wise with the yarn in back.  This is to create an open chain selvedge edge.  Every other slipped stitch will be slipped knit-wise with the yarn in back.

A Note on Adjusting the Repeating Pattern if so Desired: This is a fairly simple, 12 row repeating pattern.  The snowflake pattern is divisible by 8+7 stitches, plus a 3 stitch seed stitch border on each end.  My pattern has two repeats of the snowflake pattern, so (8x2+7)+(3+3)=29.  If you would like to expand the width of the pattern, do so in multiples of 8 stitches.  The wrong side will be the odd numbered rows, and right side the even rows.  The pattern I list for each right side row will contain an 8 stitch repeating section, indicated by surrounding that section with asterisks.  If you choose to expand the pattern simply add repeats to this section.

Begin by loosely casting on 29 stitches.  Then follow the 12 row repeating pattern until you reach your desired length.

• Row 1: sl1, k1, p25, k1, p1.  (Repeat this for every odd numbered row)
• Row 2: sl1, k1, p1, k5, skpo, yo, k1, yo, k2tog,                                                                        *k3, skpo, yo, k1, yo, k2tog* repeat until last 8 stitches, k5, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 4: sl1, k1, p1, k6, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, yo,                                                                           *k5, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, yo* repeat until last 9 stitches, k6, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 6: Knit as row 2.
• Row 8: sl1, k1, p1, k1, skpo, yo, k1, yo, k2tog,                                                                        *k3, skpo, yo, k1, yo, k2tog* repeat until last 4 stitches, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 10: sl1, k1, p1, k2, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, yo,                                                                         *k5, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, yo* repeat until last 5 stitches, k2, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 12: Knit as row 8.

Continue until you reach your desired length, being sure to end on row 12.  Loosely bind off, being sure to leave a tail long enough to sew the two ends together, 2-3 feet.  I recommend lightly blocking your project before you sew the ends together.  Blocking will open up the lace pattern.  Once you a done blocking, sew together the two ends.  I used the mattress stitch, which does a good job of hiding the seam from the right side of the project.  Now weave in your ends and enjoy!

Infinite Leafy Vine Cowl

  I've loved this pattern of leaves and vines ever since I first saw it used on these Leafy Fingerless Gloves by Laura Peveler.  This cowl uses her repeating pattern, with a repeating daisy pattern on the edges, and a 3 stitch seed stitch border between them.
  The final dimensions of this project after light blocking are 11" wide and 34" in circumference.  However, this pattern can easily be adjusted to make it longer if so desired.
  Be advised that the two repeating patterns for this cowl (daisy & leafy vines) do NOT repeat over the same number of rows.  Since one repeats at 14 rows, and the other 24 rows, it takes 168 total rows for them to finally sync up.  I therefore lay out those patterns separately here for simplicity, since I don't want to type out 168 rows of pattern.  I recommend using two distinct row counters so you can keep track of where you are in both the interior and exterior repeats.

Materials You Will Need:

• Approximately 126 grams of worsted weight yarn.  I used Malabrigo Rios in the color Volcan.
• US #10 circular needles 14-22"
• Tapestry needle
• 2 row counters

Skills You Will Need:

• Casting on
• k (Knit)
• p (Purl)
• yo (Yarn over)
• k2tog (Knit 2 stitches together)
• p2tog (Purl 2 stitches together)
• skpo (Slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
• kfb (Knit front & back)
• pfb (Purl front & back)
• m1 (Make 1)
• sl (Slip a stitch purl-wise)
• p2sso (Pass 2 slipped stitches over)
• Binding off
• Weaving in ends
• Sewing ends together

Begin by casting on 48 stitches with your preferred technique.  The cast on should be slightly stretchy.  Note: once you begin the pattern all of the odd numbered rows are the wrong side, and even numbered rows are the right side.  This is the opposite of what most patterns do.  It was just to simplify my translation of the original pattern from in-the-round instructions into flat instructions.

Exterior Pattern:

Row 1: sl1, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1 --(switch to interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k1, p8, k2

Row 2: sl1, k10, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k11

Row 3: sl1, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k1, p8, k2

Row 4: sl1, k3, k2tog, yo2, skpo, k3, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo2, skpo, k4

Row 5: sl1, k1, p3, k1, p4, k1, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p4, k2

Row 6: sl1, k1, [k2tog, yo2, skpo]twice, k1, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k1, [k2tog, yo2, skpo]twice, k2

Row 7: sl1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1 --(interior pattern)-- k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p2, k2

Row 8: Repeat row 4

Row 9: Repeat row 5

Row 10: Repeat row 6

Row 11: Repeat row 7

Row 12: Repeat row 4

Row 13: Repeat row 5

Row 14: Repeat row 2

Interior Pattern:

Row 1: k3, p5, k4, p3, k7

Row 2: p5, p2tog, kfb, k2, p4, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p3

Row 3: k3, p7, k4, p2, k1, p1, k6

Row 4: p4, p2tog, k1, pfb, k2, p4, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p3

Row 5: k3, p9, k4, p2, k2, p1, k5

Row 6: p3, p2tog, k1, pfb, p1, k2, p4, skpo, k5, k2tog, p3

Row 7: k3, p7, k4, p2, k3, p1, k4

Row 8: p2, p2tog, k1, pfb, p2, k2, p4, skpo, k3, k2tog, p3

Row 9: k3, p5, k4, p2, k4, p1, k3

Row 10: p3, yo, k1, yo, p4, k2, p4, skpo, k1, k2tog, p3

Row 11: k3, p3, k4, p2, k4, p3, k3

Row 12: p3, [k1, yo]twice, k1, p4, k1, m1, k1, p2tog, p2, sl2, k1, p2sso, p3

Row 13: k3, p1, k3, p3, k4, p5, k3

Row 14: p3, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p4, k1, kfb, k1, p2tog, p5

Row 15: k6, p1, k1, p2, k4, p7, k3

Row 16: p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p4, k2, pfb, k1, p2tog, p4

Row 17: k5, p1, k2, p2, k4, p9, k3

Row 18: p3, skpo, k5, k2tog, p4, k2, p1, pfb, k1, p2tog, p3

Row 19: k4, p1, k3, p2, k4, p7, k3

Row 20: p3, skpo, k3, k2tog, p4, k2, p2, pfb, k1, p2tog, p2

Row 21: k3, p1, k4, p2, k4, p5, k3

Row 22: p3, skpo, k1, k2tog, p4, k2, p4, yo, k1, yo, p3

Row 23: k3, p3, k4, p2, k4, p3, k3

Row 24: p3, sl2, k1, p2sso, p2, p2tog, k1, m1, k1, p4, [k1, yo]twice, k1, p3

Once you have reached 168 rows, or your own desired length, loosely bind off leaving a tail 3-4 feet long.  You will use this tail to sew together the two ends of the project.  I recommend lightly blocking your project before sewing the ends together to open up the lace pattern.  For joining the ends, I used the mattress stitch, which does a good job of making the seam mostly invisible.  Now weave in your ends and you are done!

Boysenberry cowl

This is a quick and easy one-skein project that I made for a co-worker.  It's warm enough to double over and wear during the winter, but can be worn open during warmer weather as well.  It is knit-in-the-round so no need for sewing the edges together.

Materials you will need:

• Approximately 85 grams of worsted weight yarn.  I used Malabrigo in the color Purple Magic
• US #9 circular needles 22-30" 
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

          Skills you will need:

• Casting on
• Knit
• Purl
• K2tog
• SSK
• YO
• Binding off
• Weaving in ends

Begin by casting on 132 stitches using your preferred method.  The cast on should be a little bit stretchy.  After that there are 39 rows of basic knitting to create a very simple, reversible lace pattern.

• Row 1 = Knit across
• Row 2 = Purl across
• Row 3 = Knit across
• Row 4 = Purl across
• Row 5 = Knit across
• Row 6 = *YO, K2tog* repeat to marker
• Row 7 = Knit across
• Row 8 = Purl across
• Row 9 = Knit across
• Row 10 = *YO, YO, SSK, K2tog*
• Row 11 = *K, P, K2*
• Row 12 = Purl
• Row 13 = Knit
• Row 14 = *SSK, K2tog, YO, YO*
• Row 15 = *K3, P*
• Row 16 = Purl across
• Row 17 = Knit across
• Row 18 = Purl across
• Row 19 = Knit across
• Row 20 = *YO, K2tog*
• Row 21 = Knit across
• Row 22 = Purl across
• Row 23 = Knit across
• Row 24 = *SSK, K2tog, YO, YO*
• Row 25 = *K3, P*
• Row 26 = Purl across
• Row 27 = Knit across
• Row 28 = *YO, YO, SSK, K2tog*
• Row 29 = *K, P, K2*
• Row 30 = Purl across
• Row 31 = Knit across
• Row 32 = Purl across
• Row 33 = Knit across
• Row 34 = *YO, K2tog*
• Row 35 = Knit across
• Row 36 = Purl across
• Row 37 = Knit across
• Row 38 = Purl across
• Row 39 = Knit across

Bind off using a slightly stretchy bind off.  Cut your yarn leaving an 8-12 inch tail.  Weave in your ends with a tapestry needle.  I hope you enjoy your project!  Told ya it was simple :)