Get it together with the Kesshou cowl

SIZES
Finished chest circumference: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) = 38.25 (44.25, 48, 51.75, 56.26) (60, 63.75, 68.25, 72)” / 95.5 (110.5, 120, 129.5, 140.5) (150, 159.5, 170.5, 180) cm.
Ease: + 10” / 25 cm

YARN
So Kosho by Ito Yarns (90% wool, 10% cashmere, 191 yds / 175 m – 50 g).
9 (10, 11, 12, 13) (13, 14, 15, 16) cones of colorway 0967 Top Angora.
Or approx. 1715 (1880, 1995, 2150, 2305) (2480, 2630, 2780, 2970) yds / 1570 (1720, 1825, 1970, 2110) (2270, 2410, 2545, 2720) m of DK weight yarn.

NEEDLES
US 3 / 3.25 mm 16” / 40 cm circular needles.
US 3 / 3.25 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needles.
US 3 / 3.25 mm DPNs (or preferred needles for small circumferences).
US 6 / 4.0 mm 16” / 40 cm circular needles.
US 6 / 4.0 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needles.
US 6 / 4.0 mm DPNs (or preferred needles for small circumferences).

NOTIONS
Stitch marker (1), tapestry needle, waste yarn.

GAUGE
32 sts x 46 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles in Kesshou Chart pattern, after blocking, or size to obtain gauge.
23 sts x 34 rnds/rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 6 / 4.0 mm needles in stockinette stitch pattern, after blocking, or size to obtain gauge.

CONSTRUCTION
The top is worked from the bottom up. It starts in the round from the hem through the body, then stitches are bound off for the underarms, and the front and back pieces are worked separately. After seaming up the shoulders, stitches are picked up to work the sleeves and neckband in the round.

A NOTE ON YARN CHOICE
Origami knitting relies on structure. The folds need to hold their shape, stay crisp, and bounce back, which means your yarn needs to work with the technique, not against it.

What I always reach for: high wool content yarns. Wool is light, resilient, and has that natural memory that keeps every pleat and fold exactly where it should be. It is the perfect partner for origami knitting.

What I would steer clear of:
— Plant fibres (cotton, linen): too little memory, the folds won’t hold.
— Superwash wool: the treatment removes the memory you need.
— 100% silk, cashmere, or baby alpaca: beautiful fibres, but too drapey for the structure to shine.
— Anything that halos or fuzzes: it will obscure the texture and all that beautiful detail gets lost.

The right yarn won’t just make your project look better, it will make the whole knitting experience more enjoyable too.

Tech Editor
Sarah Walworth