Editor’s note: This pattern was the winning entry in our Knittyspin/Spunky Eclectic/Spin Control contest! Congratulations, Kristy!

The Spunky Eclectic booth was my favorite at the Maine Fiber Frolic. I fell in love with the Burning Embers colorway, especially when I opened up the braid and saw the large patches of color and the way it was brighter at one end and darker at the other.

I decided to split it once lengthwise and begin spinning at the same end on each bobbin to preserve the long color changes. The result was a soft, lovely two ply yarn with colors that blended gently without being too stripey.

I wanted to knit a cowl, but I knew it would have to be different from the other patterns I’ve seen.
I’ve always liked the idea of a knitted cowl, but wearing one is another story. The ones that fit snugly at the neck are difficult to put on without messing up my hair, but the ones that are easy to put on allow a draft down the back of my neck or tend to bunch up under my coat. Buttoned neckwarmers aren’t much better; I never seem to get the button placement right or a width/length ratio that fits correctly and stays in place. This easy piece combines elements of both, and can be worn either buttoned or unbuttoned.