I wanted to push the boundaries of recognizable lace by stripping down crochet to its basic elements but using a bulky texture. The resulting experiments are a bold statement making cowl and a snug fitting cowl that’s surprisingly warm for being so airy, perfect for tucking in a coat.

The 3-color cowl was inspired by my love of strong evergreen trees next to their vibrant and fiery deciduous neighbors. It feels like home.

Take the experiment into your hands. Do you want to make a wider cowl? Simply increase the cast on in increments of 12 for more repeats. Finer yarn and more repeats? Change your hook size and swatch.

If you hate swatching, make sure you can fit it over your head after the cast on and first round, and you should be good to go.

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FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
LARGE: 3 color cowl
Depth: 10.5 inches / 27 cm
Circumference: 35 inches / 89 cm

SMALL: 1 color cowl
Depth: 8.5 inches / 22 cm
Circumference: 17.5 inches / 44 cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
LARGE: 3 color cowl (shown above)
Brilliant DK by Schmutzerella Yarns 75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Silvertone Stellina; 231yd/211m per 3.5 oz/100g skein;
spacer A Riker’s Beard; 1 skein
spacer B Expelliarmus; 1 skein
spacer C Imagination; 1 skein
Note: Sample used about 60% of each skein, about 135 yds/125m per color.

SMALL: 1 color cowl (shown below)
spacer Brilliant DK by Schmutzerella Yarns 75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Silvertone Stellina; 231yd/211m per 3.5 oz/100g skein color: Sorcerer’s Stone; 1 skein.
Note: Sample used about 65% of the skein, about 150 yds/135m.

Yarn Characteristics
spacer The sample shown uses DK-weight 3-ply wool. Choose solid or semi-solid color yarns for best stitch definition. Using a highly variegated yarn will compromise stitch definition, but can make a unique piece.

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
spacer US N/P-15/10mm crochet hook

Notions
spacer yarn needle