Snakes in the Stonecrop

Here in Victoria, BC, we have rocky hillsides that are blanketed in verdant moss and ferns wherever there are shady spots, and adorned with pebbly stonecrop in the sunshine. Those sunny havens are where little snakes love to spread out and warm up. Snakes in the Stonecrop cowl is a joyful meditation on the small plants and critters that share our favourite hiking trails. I designed it to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Spincycle Yarns, their stunning colours, and all the delight they’ve brought to the fibre world. Like my designs? [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get updates, exclusive sales, and recommendations, plus the Mill Hill Toque pattern free][1]! **Construction** Cowl is worked as a tube in the round, beginning with a crochet provisional cast-on. After completing the knitting, provisional stitches are removed, the tube is turned in a half-twist, and the ends are joined with three-needle bind-off. **Finished Dimensions** Cowl Circumference: 22.5 in/57 cm Tube Circumference: 15 in/38 cm **Yarn** Yarn quantities are approximate. 450 yd/412 m sport weight yarn Main Colour: 390 yd/357 m Contrast Colour: 90 yd/83 m Shown in Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (100% superwash American wool; 200 yd/183 m) Main Colour: Good Omen; 2 skeins Contrast Colour: Scranton; 1 skein **Blocked Gauge** 30 stitches/40 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch with smaller needle 30 stitches/32 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in colourwork with larger needle **Needles** Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge. Use set DPNs, long circular needle for magic loop method, or other preferred small circumference knitting method. Old Shale and Single-colour Stockinette stitch: Suggested Size US 3/3.25 mm needles Colourwork: Suggested Size US 5/3.75 mm needles **Notions** * fingering weight waste yarn * size D-3/3.25 mm crochet hook * stitch markers * spare circular needle 16 in/40 cm or longer in same or smaller size than smaller needle * tapestry needle * blocking wires, pins, and pinnable surface * spare DPN size US 3/3.25 mm **Skills** I consider this an intermediate level pattern. Techniques used include provisional cast-on, working colourwork from charted instructions, working lace from written and/or charted instructions, and three-needle bind-off. **Helpful Tutorials** [Crochet Provisional Cast-on][2] [7 Tips to Improve Your Colourwork] [3][Knitting Colourwork with Two Hands][4] [Weave in Your Ends with Duplicate Stitch][5] [Removing a Provisional Cast-on][6] [3-Needle Bind-Off on a Tube][7] [1]: https://www.andrearangel.com/newsletter [2]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/crochet-provisional-cast-on [3]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/7-tips-to-improve-your-colorwork [4]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/2019/4/23/knitting-colorwork-with-two-hands [5]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/weave-in-duplicate-stitch [6]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/removing-a-provisional-cast-on [7]: https://www.andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/3-needle-bo-tube-tutorial