Makiko belly warmer / cowl : Winter 2013

by Cirilia Rose

Inspired by the Japanese belly warmers known as haramaki, the concept behind Makiko is that keeping vital organs covered will warm the entire body.

Makiko is a versatile wonder that eradicates the ungainly bulkiness of winter layers. The compact piece can function as a trim layer under the suit jacket, a double layered cowl or hood with neck-hugging ribbing to block any drafts.

The stitch patterns are completely reversible, and in the case of Metamorphosis Stitch, wildly different on the right and wrong side. One side has the delicate look of a butterfly, while the opposite resembles organic pods.

Both are worked with a double strand of HiKoo Kenzie, a soft and lightweight blend of wool, alpaca, silk, angora and nylon, which lends a high degree of curve hugging memory.

The 1x1 ribbing can nearly double in circumference to fit snugly under your bust or at the waist, so choose a size that is roughly half of this measurement. This ribbing will also fit comfortably around your neck to block any cold drafts when you wear the haramaki as a cowl.

model: Cirilia Rose

photos: Kathy Cadigan


SIZE XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] shown in size S

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Ribbing circumference: 12[13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23] inches, unstretched
Shoulder circumference: 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] inches
Length: 13 [14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
HiKoo Kenzie [50% New Zealand merino, 25% nylon, 10% angora, 10% alpaca, 5% silk noils; 160yd /146m per 50g skein]; color: #1008 Kale; 5[5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 16-inch US #9/5.5mm circular needle
1 32, 40 or 47-inch US #10/6mm circular needle
Note: Choose larger circular needle length based on shoulder circumference of desired size

Notions
Yarn needle

GAUGE

14 sts and 17 rows = 4 inches in 1x1 Ribbing on smaller needles with yarn doubled please check gauge to match ribbing circumference

12 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in Metamorphosis Stitch on larger needles with yarn doubled

Note: Row gauge is difficult to measure due to the nature of this welted stitch; matching it is not essential for this pattern, though note amount of yarn used may vary if gauge is not met)

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

1x1 Ribbing (multiple of 2 sts):
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep this rnd for pattern.

Metamorphosis Stitch (multiple of 3 sts):
Rnds 1-5: *K1, p2; rep from* to end of rnd.
Rnd 6: *Drop 1st stitch from LH needle and drop it down, unravelling 4 rows so there are 4 strands behind the original stitch. Insert RH needle from the front into the loop of the dropped stitch and under the 4 strands. Knit the stitch, trapping the 4 loose strands. Purl next 2 sts. Rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep these 6 rnds for pattern.

A tutorial for the cable cast on can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
With yarn held double and larger needle, CO 96[108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168] sts. Pm and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in Metamorphosis Stitch until piece measures approx. 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10] inches from CO edge, ending after Rnd 1 of patt.

Change to smaller needle.

Dec rnd: *K1, p2tog; rep from * to end of rnd.
64[72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112] sts.

Work 1x1 Ribbing until ribbing meas approx. 6[6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9] inches.

Picot bind-off all sts as foll: *Using cable cast on, CO 1 st. BO 4 sts, then sl rem st on RH needle to LH needle; rep from * until all sts are bound off.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block gently if desired.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Cirilia Rose is the Creative Director at Skacel Collection Inc. When she isn't writing, designing or teaching, she spends her time making messes in the kitchen, exploring her fabulously nerd-friendly city and visiting far-flung friends.

She blogs here. See more of Cirilia's work and get one-on-one instruction at Creativebug.