This simple close fitting cowl is the first design in a winter bundle using the same snowflake motifs. It is a relaxing knit as it lets you concentrate only on the colourwork as there is no shaping to keep track of. The design uses the chained cast on to mirror the traditional bind off.
This means you can wear your cowl whichever way up and no-one will be the wiser. This cast on is explained in the pattern and there are tips about colourwork as well. Nevertheless, you should be familiar with stranded knitting, be comfortable with working in the round, and reading from charts.

Gauge
25 sts / 26 rnds = 10cm (4in) square in stocking stitch over colourwork using 4mm / U.S. size 6 needles

Size
This pattern comes in one size only. However, you can adjust the size by repeating the colourwork motifs additional times. If you only need to increase the circumference a bit, you can add stitches between the two motifs. You could even increase the small motifs between the snowflakes to avoid long floats.

Finished Measurements
circumference: 53cm / 21in
height: 19.5cm / 7.75in

Materials
The sample uses John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers DK yarn, which is 100% merino. It is very soft and a joy to wear.
Choose two colours with high contrast to emphasize the mirror effect. The sample colours are KBN11 (brown) and KBN55 (natural white). You need half a skein of each of the colours.

The sample was knitted using 4mm / U.S. size 6 40cm / 16in circular needles. You’ll also need a crochet hook in same size or one size bigger than knitting needles.

Have fun knitting and enjoy keeping your neck warm with your new cowl.

I’d love to see what you make. When sharing on social media, please use #snowmirrorcowl and feel free to tag me @urbanyarning .

Please contact me with all questions and difficulties you may encounter:
frauke@urbanyarning.com

My heartfelt thanks to
Dr. Anna Stein (photography)
Heather Folkner, Crafty Ferret Tech Editing (technical editing ;-))
Pianist16 valentinasknits (test knitting)