New Directions Cowl

This "New Directions Cowl" is an aran-weight cowl knit in the round with a stranded mosaic technique. It has been intentionally designed to provide options for your knitting journey. Though this is one pattern, there are three different pieces you can knit and enjoy- a non-reversible cowl in the round with ribbing on both ends (the ‘default’ design); a reversible, double-sided cowl for which ribbing is optional; and a tubular cowl knit which can double as a cozy headband. The mosaic motif in this design when “upright” depicts shield-like chevrons in the negative space. The linework suggests trees, arrow fletching, or even tire treads depending on how you look at it. The mosaic motif is presented to you both upright and flipped vertically for your reference, as you choose. Both mosaics are provided in chart and written form for your convenience. Please be aware that the written form will vary from the chart in most cases, but your results will still visually look the same. There are also suggestions for where to cross your yarn for your convenience. I wonder where your New Directions journey will take you, and would love to hear your experiences! This pattern uses K+C Cloudpaca, but there are plenty of included suggestions for your consideration for yarn substitute enjoyment. You can readily use whatever yarn you have available in your stash- it doesn’t need to be an alpaca-nylon chainette! You can find some truly exciting possibilities with this pattern. Enjoy! *Sizing Information* The New Directions Cowl is a closer-fit cowl, with the exception of the tubular method as it provides more horizontal stretch once worn. The following is the finished size using K+C Cloudpaca and my US 8 cubic needles for gauge: 9.5" x 10" flat for reversible double-thickness cowl. 9" x 8" flat for the single-thickness 'default' cowl. 10" x 4.5" flat for the tubular cowl. All of these have a circumference of at least 23". Thus, this cowl will fit a small (20-21") and medium (22-23") adult. For adults with larger circumference needs, feel free to size up the yarn and/or needles, and add a greater number of stitches by one or more repeats as you see fit. The "Customization" box in the pattern will assist you in doing so. *Tools Needed* You will need the following tools: *US Size 10 needles (6 mm), circular. These may be fixed or interchangeable knitting needles. You may use a 32” cable, or select a smaller size which fits your comfort zone. Longer cables will be awkward to work with for this smaller project. You might prefer to use shorties (3.5” long needles) over longer needles. If you use cubic knitting needles, I used US 8 cubics for this pattern. *Second pair of needles at the same size or one step smaller than your working pair- for grafting. Note: If using square/cubic needles, you will be using US Size 8 as their diameter creates stitches of one needle size lower than specified. As I am using cubic needles, I designed this pattern with US Size 8. *One skein of K+C Cloudpaca or similar yarn of your choice in color “A” and a second skein in color “B” OR, 2 skeins of 164 yards of aran- or bulky-weight. K+C Cloudpaca is 164 yds/skein per 50g/1.76 oz. Its labeled gauge is 16 sts/4", ie 4 sts/inch on US 10/6mm needles. Overall finished size and weight may vary with aran weight or bulky-weight, single- vs-plied, fiber, and loft. If you want to ensure you have enough yardage to spare and/or intend on making a looser fit, see “Customizations” and pick up 2 skeins each of “A” and “B”, rather than one each. If using a different yarn with less nylon content, you will have more horizontal stretch when blocking your finished cowl. *One darning needle for kitchener stitch. *Crochet hook for provisional cast-on and to pick up any dropped stitches. I usually match the knitting needle’s mm size when picking a hook to use. *Scrap yarn for provisional cast-on. *Three stitch markers, for your Beginning of Round marker, to mark the exterior fabric, and to mark the interior fabric as you knit the cowl. *Usage Rights:* Please ask my permission before publishing this pattern. Please- do not share any part of this pattern or copy it without asking me first. If you wish to sell finished products which use this pattern, please contact me! For pattern support, please send a message and I will be happy to assist you! I apologize that good photography is not (yet?) part of my wheelhouse. Happy knitting!