by Justyna Lorkowska

"A fickle heart is the only constant in this world."
-- Diana Wynne Jones,
Howl's Moving Castle

Change of Heart is a cowl which changes directions and switches up stitch patterns faster than you can say, "Baby, it's cold outside!" Fickle in that each row, despite having a modest stitch count, comprises four different sections. Yet constant because it's worked long ways, the staggered but frequent pattern repeats establishing a sense of rhythm as they become increasingly familiar. Each row is relatively short and to the point so you can zip back and forth for as long as you like, then join the finished ends together to form a continuous loop.

The distinct columns vary in width and complexity, yet all play nice and get along swimmingly. Narrow I-cord edging gives way to a swath of garter stitch which is interrupted by a basic rope cable then finished off with a bit of lace.

This veritable stitch sampler is worked up in fingering weight wool and is blocked somewhat aggressively in order to show off your handiwork to its best advantage. At the specified length you have the option of wearing it long or wrapping it twice -- it depends on the weather and your mood. Either way this cowl achieves a beautiful balance of delicate detail and fashionable function.

SIZE
One (adjustable)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 46 inches
Height: 7.5 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Brooklyn Tweed LOFT [100% wool; 275yds/251m per 50g skein]; color: 04 Nest; 2 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #4/3.5mm straight needles
OR
24-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle

Notions
cable needle
3 stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

C6F: slip 3 sts to cn, hold to front, k3, k3 from cable needle.

I-cord Edging worked over 3 edge sts.
Row 1 [WS]: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, sl1 wyif, k1.

Garter Stitch worked flat.
Knit all rows.

Lace Edging [multiple of 13 sts]
Row 1 [WS]: K2, p9, k2.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl1, k3, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, yo, k2. 15 sts.
Row 3 [WS]: K2, p11, k2.
Row 4 [RS]: Sl1, k4, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice, k1. 13 sts.
Row 5 [WS]: K2, p9, k2.
Row 6 [RS]: Sl1, k3, ssk, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice, k1. 12 sts.
Row 7 [WS]: K2, p8, k2.
Row 8 [RS]: Sl1, k2, ssk, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice, k1. 11 sts.
Row 9 [WS]: K2, p7, k2.
Row 10 [RS]: Sl1, k1, ssk, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice, k1. 10 sts.
Row 11 [WS]: K2, p6, k2.
Row 12 [RS]: K1, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2. 11 sts.
Row 13 [WS]: K2, p7, k2.
Row 14 [RS]: Sl1, [k3, yo] twice, k2tog, yo, k2. 13 sts.

Rope Cable [multiple of 8 sts]
Row 1 and all odd rows: [WS]: K1, p6, k1.
Row 2, 4 [RS]: P1, k6, p1.
Row 6 [RS]: P1, C6F, p1.
Row 8 [RS]: P1, k6, p1.

DIRECTIONS
CO 45 sts.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, pm, k21, pm, k1, p6, k1, pm, k2, p9, k2.

Row 2 [RS]: Work Lace Edging Row 2, sm, work Rope Cable Row 2, sm, work Garter Stitch, sm, work I-cord Edging Row 2.

Row 3 [WS]: Work I-cord Edging Row 1, sm, work Garter Stitch, sm, work Rope Cable Row 3, sm, work Lace Edging Row 3.

These 2 rows establish the pattern.

Cont in this manner until work measures 44 inches (or desired length], ending on BOTH Row 14 of the Lace Edging and a Row 8 of the Rope Cable.

BO all sts in pattern.

FINISHING
Block the piece to required measurements, stretching the garter stitch and pinning the lace border to create a zigzag edge.

When dry, use mattress stitch to seam cast-on and bind-off edges together. Weave in loose ends with yarn needle.

Justyna is a full-time mother, former teacher and a knitwear fanatic. She learned her first stitches from her mom when she was a teenager, but she gave up knitting quickly afterwards. Having her first baby brought back her passion with great impact and this time she also started designing knitwear for adults and children. She lives with her husband, kids and two cats in Poland.

Her patterns can be found on Ravelry on the Lete's Knits designer page, or on her website Lete's Knits.