Cryptid Cowl by Jamie Lomax

Cryptid Cowl

Knitting
October 2022
DK (11 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in colorwork
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
350 - 640 yards (320 - 585 m)
small (medium, large)
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

This cowl is inspired by the mythical cryptids, or hidden monsters, throughout the world. Choose your own cryptid chart, and “hide” it within it’s natural environment. Pick from Nessie in rainy Loch Ness, Bigfoot in the dense PNW forests, or Mothman in a spooky cemetery.

This pattern uses creative colorwork charts to build your own cryptid cowl. A provisional cast on and Kitchener stitch create a seamless double sided cowl when folded in on itself or try single sided for a lighter weight version.

Pattern includes instructions for both a single-sided or double-sided cowl.

Charted included:

  • Loch Ness Monster in Scottish
  • Highlands Bigfoot in Pacific Northwest
  • Forests Mothman in a Creepy Cemetery

Size(s)
Adult Small (Medium, Large)

Finished Measurements
Single-Sided Height: 14 in 35.5 cm
Double-Sided Height: 11 in 28 cm
Circumference: 20 (24, 28) in 50 (60, 70) cm

Suggested Yarn(s)
Sample uses Yarnaceous Fibers Camara DK
75% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon
100g, 245 yards 224 m; 50g, 122 yards 111 m
Colors: Night Walker (black), Bigfoot (cream), Headless (light purple), Vortex (dark purple), Rip Van Winkle (light pink), Champ (dark pink)

Single-sided: 1 full skein MC + 3 half skeins CC
Double-sided: 2 full skeins MC + 5 half skeins CC

Approx. Yardage
Exact yardage will vary depending on your choice of single-sided/double-sided and cryptid charts. See estimates below, based on the sample knit.

Single-Sided Yardage:

  • Main Color (MC): 120 (140, 160) yards 110 (128, 146) m
  • Border (CC1): 21 (25, 30) yards 19 (23, 27) m
  • Cryptid (CC2): 63 (75, 90) yards 58 (69, 82) m
  • Sky (CC3): 55 (70, 85) yards 50 (64, 78) m

Double-Sided Yardage:

  • Main Color (MC): 205 (245, 285) yards 187 (224, 261) m
  • Sky (CC3): 85 (100, 115) yards 78 (91, 105) m
  • Border (CC1): 21 (25, 30) yards 19 (23, 27) m
  • Cryptid (CC2): 63 (75, 90) yards 58 (69, 82) m
  • Cryptid (CC4): 63 (75, 90) yards 58 (69, 82) m
  • Border (CC5): 21 (25, 30) yards 19 (23, 27) m

NOTE: MC is consistent throughout. CC4/CC5 will replace CC1/CC2 on the interior (or upside-down) charts. CC3 will carry over, across the “sky

Suggested Needles
US 5/3.75 mm or size needed to obtain gauge
24 in 60 cm circular needles
Optional: US 4/3.5 mm for ribbing

Gauge
24 sts and 26 rows per 4 in 10 cm
Gauge is in stockinette after blocking

Notions
5 (6, 7) stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle. Double-sided version also requires a crochet hook and spare yarn for provisional cast on, spare needle of same size or smaller for Kitchener stitch

Share your progress and finished knits using @pnw_knitdesign and #CryptidCowl. Happy knitting!