Sandarve is a soft and warm cowl in lambswool, all-over pattern and gentle colours. I have combined two of my favourite patterns from Hermanna Stengård’s pattern collection Gotländsk sticksöm: the hourglass and the trailing leaves. Gentle, soft and elegant. The sample is knitted in 2 ply hand-dyed Gotland lambswool, according to the three charts.

The trailing leaves are knitted in two variations that create movement in the pattern. Sandarve is named after Sandarve hill, a nature reserve near Gotland’s spinning mill in Fardhem on the southern part of the island where throatwort, sulfur anemone, sticky catchfly, longstalk cranesbill and hairy violets grow - among many other things.

CONSTRUCTION
The cowl is knitted in the round on circular needles from short side to short side with a provisional cast on and grafted before washing. The provisional cast-on is done according to the chart, which is easier than it sounds. The cast-on round corresponds to rnd 1 according to Chart 1 where you change the colour (and position of the yarn) over your index finger when using the provisional cast-on method. The Cowl is intended to be worn as it is around the neck, adjust the length to suit you. Twisting the cowl before assembling makes it fit better around the neck.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length before grafting: 70 cm / 29,5 “ Width: 18 cm / 7 “

MATERIAL
Yarn
Leilu by Gotlands Spinneri (Gotland, Leicester), 250 m / 374 yds per 100 g.

Sample shown in Ljusgrå (MC 1), Strandgräs (MC 2) och Nättres (CC).

Yardage
1 skein of MC 1 and CC respectively, 1 25 g skein of MC 2. Or approx. 190 m / 208 yds of MC 1, 50 m / 55 yds of MC 2 and 190 m / 208 yds of CC in a DK-weight yarn.

Needles
3,5 mm / US 4 (circular needle) or size needed to obtain gauge. Use a long circular needle for magic loop, a short circular needle, or DPNs.

Notions
One stitch marker, waste yarn for your provisional cast-on, a tapestry needle and an extra circular needle in the same size as the one you use to knit the cowl to put the sts on while grafting