Starshower by Hilary Smith Callis

Starshower

Knitting
February 2014
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
19 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
400 yards (366 m)
22”/ 56 cm circumference at top opening; 39"/ 99 cm circumference at bottom opening; 17.5”/ 44.5 cm height at center
English Swedish
This pattern is available for $5.00 USD buy it now

Starshower is another of the shawl-cowl hybrids that I can’t get enough of lately. It is shaped as a shawl, but mostly worked in the round - so it can be worn as a shawl, but without the ends dangling down. The simple Open Star stitch pattern perfectly complements Anzula’s sparkly fingering weight yarn, Nebula, though the pattern would work just as well with a favorite semi-solid or variegated sock yarn. Sparkle is encouraged, but not required.

If you like Starshower, but want something a bit quicker to knit, check out Adama -- similar in shape, but in worsted weight yarn, the knitting time is practically nothing!

Specific yarn requirements:
Anzula Nebula 84% Merino, 16% Nylon (Polyamide); 400 yds/ 366 m per 115g; 1 skein in Sexy;
Or 400 yds/ 366m of a fingering weight yarn

Gauge (blocked):
18 sts & 27 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Open Star Stitch
19 sts & 32 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Garter Stitch
Meeting these exact gauges is not crucial, but any major differences will affect the size of the finished cowl.

Needles:
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16-24”/ 40-60 cm long, or size needed to obtain gauge

A note re: binding off:
Though this technique was not used in the sample and the results of its use cannot be verified by the designer, Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off has been recommended for finishing this cowl to create an edge that is as stretchy as possible.

Technical editing by Alison Green.

Please come ask questions and share either in-progress or FO photos in The Yarniad’s Symposium group!