Droplet Geode Fur Cowl

A soft, warm, fun, stress-free cowl that works up in many different faux furs to many different sizes, depending on the fur yarn you choose. The droplet ripples are achieved with short-row color inserts. They start and finish at the same place so that the yarn ends can either be woven-in, or tied off and pulled to the front to act as tassels, or beaded fringe. Measurements are given for each yarn tested to aid you in your choice of yarn. Aim for about 4-6 stitches for 2 inches in stockinet. This is a great stress-free knit because, though it’s sometimes hard to see what you are doing in faux fur, it also hides everything. You really can’t make a mistake of any import. As a big giant bonus, the Droplet Geode Fur Cowl pattern itself is not a regular, rigid pattern like a cable, or rib. It is totally organic in its shape and flow, and as such no one could possibly know if you didn’t follow the pattern completely correctly—even without the faux fur, offering its friendly cover. The metallic/novelty yarns are also knitted very loosely, and therefore drape nicely, so they do not affect the shape too much if they are “off.” I urge you to not worry too much if you find you are off by a little, just make sure you finish the color inserts one stitch back from where you started them, and you will be fine. I have included some sign-post counts back from the markers on top of the stitch counts in the pattern, which should be helpful, as well as many “resets” in the form of rows of plain knitting that get you back to the start marker where the pattern then resumes. There are three rows of increases.

One size. Go Handmade Fur Lux, or James C Brett Chinchilla, or Creative Petit Lapin, or Lang Yarns Softhair, Yarn Art Mink or similar faux fur yarn with Lana Grossa Splendido, or S. Charles Collezione Filati d’Itala Diana or Rico Fashion Cotton Métallisé DK or Sirma Fancy Yarn or similar metallic/novelty yarn accent.

The finer-gauged fur yarns make a smaller cowl, but some, like the Yarn Art Mink, should be doubled as it is just too fine to be held single for this project. I have given the needle sizes the manufacturer suggests in the yarn list to help you in your choice of yarn, but for this project, all of them are knitted on size 8mm/US 11 circular needles 26/30,” regardless of the manufacturer’s suggested sizes.

For the metallic/novelty yarn, choose something with as much of a texture difference as possible. Part of the charm is the geode-effect of the drop in volume, from the fur to the novelty yarn—much like the fur is the rock, and the metallic is the crystals within.
Some of the yarns will need to be held double or more, like the Rico Fashion Cotton Métallisé DK, some will do fine on their own, as with the Charles Collezione Filati d’Itala Diana. Don’t worry if this yarn is loose when knit up. The structure of the cowl is mostly in the faux fur yarn. Finishing instructions for the fringe/tassels are included at the end of the knitting instructions on page 19.

Knitting time: about 8 hours
Top Down • In-the-Round • Short Rows • Increases • Stockinet • Color Work • Beads

Materials: 8mm/US 11 circular needles 26/30”
2 different stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
132m/144 yds-375m/410 yds faux fur
Optional: 42-84 (21 sets for each yarn held) beads with hole large enough to
accommodate your chosen metallic/novelty/contrast yarn

Gauge: 4 to 6 stitches=2 inches in stockinet

One of the following, or similar
Go Handmade Fur Lux, 4 balls
James C Brett Chinchilla, 2 balls
Creative Petit Lapin, 2 balls
Yarn Art Mink, 5 balls, held double

With one of the following, or similar
Lana Grossa Splendido, 4 balls, held double
S. Charles Collezione Filati d’Itala Diana, 2 balls
Rico Fashion Cotton Métallisé DK, 1 ball held double
Sirma Fancy Yarn, 1 ball, alone, or held with Rico Fashion Cotton