I have always been fascinated by the tessellating patterns of the Dutch artist M C Escher. I combined this interest with my other loves, sight hounds and designing knitting patterns. The result, after much early trial and error, is this stranded colour work chart which can be repeated ad infinitum.

This pattern shows you how to use the chart to make a cowl for a medium sized dog. Cowl measures 16 “ circumference, 9 1/2” tall. Smaller or larger cowls could be achieved by adding or subtracting pattern repeats, and by using different sized needles. You could make cowls for all the human members of your family too!

The cowl is quite a quick and easy colour work project, as there is NO catching of floats as in traditional fairisle knitting. The floats will be hidden away inside the lining. You just have to ensure that the floats are stranded very loosely.

I used Jamieson and Smith 2ply jumper weight yarn for Bear’s cowl, as it is a sticky yarn and the long floats in this pattern stay well in place. Also the colours are bright and I think that the red and white look very Christmassy. But it would look effective in a colour change yarn like Drops Delight, as long as the contrast yarn was chosen carefully.

This pattern would also be great in the double knitting technique , and it would obviously not need a lining in that case.

Apart from cowls, the repeated chart could be used on all sorts of projects: scarves, bags, cushions would be very straightforward, hats, mitts, socks would take more planning.