Wonky cowl - Knitty, Summer 2009

models: Brian Wilson, Brittany Wilson and Bonnie Starr

photos: Brittany Wilson

by Brittany Wilson

Sometimes life is a little wonky, a little off kilter. Sometimes things happen at the most inconvenient of times, but this cowl makes it okay, and even fun to be out of balance.

It’s a traditional stitch with a twist. The pattern is shown in 3 different cool-toned yarns, demonstrating its versatility without them being wildly different. If you like living on the edge, make it even more discombobulated with a color that screams or a funky handspun art yarn.

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 19 inches
Height: 6.25 inches

MATERIALS

[Brown] Sirdar Click Chunky with Wool [70% acrylic, 30% wool; 82yd/75m per 50g skein]; color: #143 Duffler; 1 skein

[Pink/Purple] Crystal Palace Yarns Kaya [100% wool; 65yd/59m per 50g ball]; color: #0110 Potpourri; 2 skeins

[Blue] Sheep Shop Yarn Company Sheep 2 [100% wool; 90yd/82m per 100g skein]; color: #F111 Navy; 1 skein

Recommended needle size:

16-inch US #10/6mm circular needle

4 stitch markers – be sure that one is different from the others
Yarn needle

GAUGE
13 sts/18 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st

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

Instructions for the Long-Tail Cast On can be found here.

DIRECTIONS

Using long-tail method, CO 66 sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist [use the stitch marker which is different from the others].

Set-up Round: K12, place marker, k21, place marker, k12, place marker, k21.

Round 1: [K2tog, k10, m1, slip marker, (p5, k3) twice, p5, slip marker] twice.

Round 2: [K12, slip marker, (p5, k3) twice, p5, slip marker] twice.

Round 3: Work as for Round 1.

Round 4: K all sts.

Round 5: [K2tog, k10, m1, slip marker, p1, (k3, p5) twice, k3, p1] twice.

Round 6: [K12, slip marker, p1, (k3, p5) twice, k3, p1] twice.

Round 7: Work as for Round 5.

Round 8: K all sts.

Work Rounds 1-8 twice more, then work Rounds 1-7 once more. Total of 32 rounds have been worked, including Set-up Round.

Loosely BO all sts, using a larger needle if necessary to ensure the BO edge is sufficiently stretchy.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block as desired.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Brittany began knitting obsessively in June of 2007. Her life quickly became a whirlwind knitting adventure, until 2009, when she threw spinning into the mix, officially transforming into an all around fiber enthusiast.

Her creative adventures can be found on her blog.