The Design

“It'll be the most versatile piece you own.”

Our friend Annabella Serra rarely knits from a pattern. She just takes off and makes it up as she goes! We love this cowl she created—with its lavish length and unexpected switch from rib to stockinette—and she was kind enough to share it with us. Knit in a sublimely soft pairing of Alchemy hand-dyed yarns, it’ll be the most versatile piece you own.

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
One size: Approx. 17"/43cm around (slightly stretched) x 29"/74cm long.

YARN
2 skeins Alchemy Silk Purse (163 yds/149m each) and 1 skein Alchemy Haiku (325 yds/297m); shown in Color Mighty Redwood.
Or approx. 325 yds/297m of an equivalent dk-weight silk or silk-blend yarn and 325 yds/297m of an equivalent lace-weight mohair yarn.

NEEDLES
US 9 (5.5mm) 16"/40cm circular, or size to obtain gauge.

GAUGE
Approx. 17 sts = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch, using both yarns held together.

KNITTER'S NOTES

The simple stitch pattern and knit-in-the-round, seamless construction make this an easy project, suitable for a beginning knitter. Make sure you get your cowl joined without a twist. Check when you join, and check again as you near the end of your first round. If you discover a twist at that point, you can fix it at the end of the round, rotating your needles around each other. If you go on and discover a twist after you've begun your second round, or later, there is nothing to do but pull out your work and begin again. It's happened to all of us at some point!