Inspiration comes in many guises. My friend Angel sent me a photo a while back, saying, “I found this beautiful bowl. Wouldn’t it make a lovely hat?” The Celtic knot and shamrocks on Angel’s bowl got me thinking…and remembering my granny’s bittersweet memories of her years in County Galway, Ireland, as a bairn. So, thanks to Angel and her beautiful bowl for the inspiration, I designed the hat that I called ‘Granny’s Shamrock-Covered Shore.’ (Also available on Ravelry) I’ve now designed this Shamrock Shore Cosy Cowl to match.

The fair isle or colour work layer and the plain-coloured stocking-stitch lining inside this cowl are knitted separately. The two layers are then knitted together to join them and finished off using an I-cord bind-off technique, which gives the cowl a smooth corded edge. This cowl is light as a feather, yet incredibly warm because of the double thickness. It features borders of gold knots and shamrocks, which frame Celtic crosses, interlaced with shamrocks. Both layers are knitted in the round, so there are no seams and only knit stitches are required. Most of the pattern requires only 2 colours to be used at the same time, with the exception of 2 rows that require 3 colours. Swiss Darning can be used as an alternative to knitting the 3 colours, if preferred.
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Some experience of fair isle or stranded colour work is needed for this pattern, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.

Materials:

4ply Shetland wool or equivalent:

Actual amounts used are listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only, given that different brands may differ slightly. The yardage of the yarn used: 215m/236yds per 50g.
White: 42g Green: 91g Gold: 27g Note: The lining is knitted with Green yarn.

Knitting Needles:

One set of double-pointed 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles are suggested for knitting the cowl. Alternatively, you may use a circular knitting needle of the same size and of length 80cm, if preferred.

Measurements (unstretched):

One size fits all: Circumference 33 inches (84cm) by depth 11 inches (28cm)

Tension:

Approximately 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm over the pattern.
Your tension is not crucial for knitting the cowl, though it is still a good idea to check your tension and adjust your needle size accordingly, in order to get your cowl to drape as you desire.