This double-knitted cowl by Carol Huebscher Rhoades is stunning. Carol incorporated the shape of the manuka flower (Leptospermum scoparium), mentioned in all the Ngaio Marsh New Zealand novels, with the crimson red of the pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), a flowering tree. (Interweave)

Materials

• Zealana Rimu, 60% New Zealand merino wool/40% Brushtail possum yarn, fingering weight, 167 yards (152.7 m)/40 gram (1.4 oz) ball, 1 ball of #R04 Greenstone (Color A) and 2 balls each of #R01 Natural (Color B) and #R13 Toto Red (Color C) Note: The cowl uses only a very small amount of the second balls of Natural and Red. If you only have one ball of each color, you may need to omit some rounds of the section between the last tier of flowers and the edging.
• Needles, two circular 24 inches (61 cm) size 1½ (2.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Crochet hook, size C or D (2.5 or 3 mm) for provisional cast-on
• Waste yarn, about 4¼ yards (4 m) of smooth cotton for cast-on
• Stitch markers, 1 for beg of rnd plus different color/ style markers for 4 patt reps
• Tapestry needle

Finished size: 8¾ inches (22.2 cm) tall and 24¾ inches (62.9 cm) circumference

Gauge: 21 sts and 38 rnds = 4 inches (10.2 cm) in double knitting patt