Checkered Past by Michael Harrigan

Checkered Past

Knitting
November 2026
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
35 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in Stranded colorwork
US 3 - 3.25 mm
160 - 180 yards (146 - 165 m)
Circumference at flare: 25” Circumference mid-height: 22” Height: 7.5”
English
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After designing both colorwork and lace-patterned cowls for a number of years, I have gotten feedback that a lower-edge flare would help the cowl stay in place and better display the design. I have taken the advice and added this feature to my cowl designs. The motifs for this one are borrowed from Sanquhar (Scotland) glove designs. As this pattern calls for two colors only I would recommend this to advanced beginners and above.

The lower edge is worked in a Farrow Ribbing, with gussets at two sides, worked in purl stitches, and decreased over the first nine rounds.

Recommended yarn:
Drops FLORA (230yds/210m, 50g/1.8oz, 65% Wool; 35% Alpaca): 1 skein each #07 (Color A) and #10 (Color B)