Sometimes, we knitters do need a little bit of madness in our lives, don’t we? Those wonderfully fiddly fantastic little bits of craziness (or mishigos in Yiddish) keep us sane in the whole picture.
You think that’s an oxymoron? Think twice. This cowl is a perfect example of one of them. A funny, relaxing little project that can be knit in-between larger and more demanding things. Interesting enough to beat the boredom with fun-to-work stitches and lots of texture. And, of course - colors! Crazy colors to play with!
The Mishigos cowl is completely seamless and worked in the round in one piece from the top to the bottom, with some additional shaping for an improved fit.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below — every knitter's
gauge is unique] 16-inch US #4/3.5 mm circular needle 16-inch US #6/4 mm circular needle
Notions stitch marker yarn needle
GAUGE
21.5/30 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
s1 wyif = slip next stitch purlwise, with yarn in front.
Note: The start of round shifts over 1 stitch in three places: Color Pattern A Round 8, Colour Pattern B Round 7 and Color Pattern C Round 7.
At this point, remove marker, k1 in color of the next row as indicated by chart, and place marker for new start of round.
After 5 pattern rounds, start of round shifts back. Work in pattern as set to 1 st before the end of that fifth round – Color Pattern A Round 13, Colour Pattern B Round 11, and Color Pattern C Round 11. This is the new start of round. If you’re using a removable marker, unclip it and move it to this new position. If you’re using a ring marker, slip the next st, remove the marker, slip the st back, and place the marker at this point.
DIRECTIONS
Using MC, smaller circular needle and Tubular Cast-On or any elastic cast on method, cast on 120 sts.
Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Upper Edge Ribbing rnd: [K1, p1] to end.
Work ribbing as set for 15 rounds total.
Knit 2 rounds.
Body
Change to larger needles. Join CC.
Next round, establish color patterns: Work Color Pattern A around.
Work as set until Color Pattern A is complete.
Next round, increase: Using MC, [k15, m1] to end. 128 sts.
Next round, resume color patterns: Work Color Pattern B around.
Work as set until Color Pattern B is complete.
Next round, increase: Using CC, [k8, m1] to end. 144 sts.
Next round, resume color patterns: Work Color Pattern C around.
Work as set until row 40 of Color Pattern D is complete.
Next round, increase: Using MC, [k9, m1] to end. 160 sts.
Next round, resume color patterns: Work Color Pattern D around.
Work as set until row 40 of Color Pattern D is complete.
Lower Edge
Change to smaller needles, and continue with CC yarn only.
Knit 2 rounds.
Work 15 rounds ribbing as per upper edge.
Using Tubular Bind-off or any elastic method, BO all sts.
FINISHING
Block and weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Hanna happily admits to being a yarn lover and knitting maniac. She lives with her husband and 7-year-old daughter, who sometimes draws things for her to knit up.
