This cowl was the result of my needing something to keep from fidgeting during a language course last year. As was usual in the autumn, I started carrying yarn and needles around in my bag to keep my hands occupied. This led to my friend wanting to pick up knitting again and asking for a simple but practical beginner pattern. Scarves, I told her. Great, my girls need scarves, she said. But not the dangly ones — an infinity sort that will sit neatly because we have to put so many layers on them during the winter, she added. So we started knitting and this is what happened. It’s almost too simple to be called a pattern, but there are recipes for boiling water these days, so here you go!

Special features:

• Thick, fluffy garter stitch keeps little necks warm without having to double it up.

• Mobius twist in the cowl lets it lie flat in front, so it’s not all bulky and getting in the way of zippers and other closures.

• Vertical knit gives enough structure so that the cowl stands up at the back of the neck, protecting it from the elements.

• A cowl is stretchy and small — much easier to pull onto a struggling toddler than a turtleneck or balaclava.

Sizing:

This was originally made to fit a 1.5 year old toddler, then subsequent versions were made for babies (a 4 month old) and an older toddler (3 years). You can adjust the beginning stitches as you see fit based on the numbers provided here — the final product is stretchy enough that each size will probably fit fine into the next winter as well.