INTRODUCTION

Ancyra

by Sarah Schira

You have that amazing skein of yarn. You have that intoxicating mini. Now show them off in this bias-knit cowl. The mosaic pattern is worked with slipped stitches, so you only have to work with one strand of yarn per row while still experiencing a fabulous interplay of colors. It’s amazing what just one mini can do.

I’m a lifelong student of history and architecture. The Byzantine Empire left behind opulent mosaics using gold tiles that just dazzle. By knitting this cowl on the bias and using mosaic stitch, you’ll create an eye-catching diagonal that gives the impression of Byzantine complexity and lushness, but you’ll find the process simple and satisfying - the best of both worlds!

model: Rainer Schira (cover), Sarah Schira

photos: Sandra Schira

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Height: 11 inches/28cm
Circumference: 22.5 inches/57cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light [100% Merino; 420 yd/384m per 100g skein]; Cousteau; 1 skein
[CC] madelinetosh Unicorn Tails [100% Merino; 52 yd/47m per 12g skein]; Glazed Pecan; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #2/2.75mm needles for working flat, and a spare needle in a similar size, for grafting

Notions
yarn needle
crochet hook and smooth fingering-weight yarn for provisional cast on

GAUGE

30 sts/42 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
30 sts/60 rows (30 ridges) = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch

Note: I hate cowls that puddle limply on my shoulders, so I chose a gauge that helps the fabric have enough body to show off the mosaic stitch pattern without being stiff.

PATTERN NOTES

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

You can use the provisional cast on method you prefer, but if you’re looking for a fantastic method that is easy to do (and undo), have a look at this short video (https://youtu.be/R3J-sUx_whE) from Lucy Neatby.

Mosaic stitch is a very simple technique that brings a color from the row below into the current row.
Read more about it in this Knitty tutorial.

If adjusting the size of the cowl, stitch count should be a multiple of 8 + 4.

Bias Garter
Row 1 [RS]: Kfb, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2 [WS]: Knit.

Miniature Mosaic
Work from chart or written instructions as you prefer.

Row 1 [RS]: With MC, kfb, (slp wyib, k7) to last 3 sts, slp wyib, k2tog.
Row 2 [WS]: With MC, k1, slp wyif, (k7, slp wyif) to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: With CC, kfb, (k4, slp wyib, k1, slp wyib, k1) to last 3 sts, k1, k2tog.
Row 4: With CC, k3, (slp wyif, k1, slp wyif, k5) to last st, k1.
Row 5: With MC, kfb, (slp wyib, k3) to last 3 sts, slp wyib, k2tog.
Row 6: With MC, k1, (slp wyif, k3) to last 3 sts, slp wyif, k2.
Row 7: With CC, kfb, (k2, slp wyib, k1, slp wyib, k3) to last 3 sts, k1, k2tog.
Row 8: With CC, (k5, slp wyif, k1, slp wyif) to last 4 sts, k4.

Garter Stitch Grafting
Cut yarn, leaving a tail 3-4 times the width of the sts on the needle and thread on darning needle.

Setup:
Thread yarn purlwise into first stitch on the front needle, leave the stitch on the needle.
Repeat on the back needle.

Graft:
Step 1: Thread the yarn through the first stitch on the front needle knitwise and slip it off the needle. Thread the yarn through the second stitch on the front needle purlwise and leave it on the needle.
Step 2: Repeat on the back needle.

Repeat steps 1-2 until only one stitch remains on each needle. Thread the yarn through the first stitch on the front needle knitwise and slip it off the needle. Repeat for the stitch on the back needle. Cut yarn, leaving a tail for weaving in.

DIRECTIONS

Section 1
Using waste yarn, provisionally cast on 124 stitches.
Join MC.
Knit 2 rows.
Work Bias Garter until piece measures 9 inches/23cm, as measured along right edge of work.

Section 2
Do not break MC. Join CC and work Bias Garter once. (1 garter ridge created.)
Using charted or written instructions, work rows 1-8 of Miniature Mosaic 4 times, then work rows 1-2 again.
Using CC, work Bias Garter once. (1 garter ridge created.)
Cut CC, leaving a tail for weaving in.

Section 3
Using MC, work Bias Garter until piece measures 9 inches/23cm from end of mosaic section, as measured along right edge of work, ending with a RS row.
Last row [WS]: K55 (roughly the center, exact position doesn’t matter), k2tog, k to end of row. 123 sts.

FINISHING

Undo the provisional cast on, placing stitches on a second needle. Hold work with WS together (purl bumps will be facing you on both needles), with working yarn coming from back needle and graft closed, using Garter Stitch method.

Weave in ends, soak, and lay flat to dry. Trim ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

After designing for friends and family for a decade, winning the Design Along competition on A Playful Day podcast encouraged Sarah to make the leap to writing up her patterns for others. She loves to work up (and wear) casually sophisticated accessories for staying stylishly warm on the Canadian prairies.

See more of her designs and find her podcast on her website.

Pattern & images © 2017 Sarah Schira. Contact Sarah