With my latest series of designs I want to explore the diversity of South Africa’s flora and fauna, which form 10%-15% of the world’s plant and marine life. This pattern celebrates the emperor swallowtail, South Africa’s largest butterfly!

Materials:
• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• One 3.5mm / US size 4 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or one size smaller than needed to meet the required gauge.
• Stitch markers 4 (5), optional, one of which is used to mark the beginning of round.
• Tapestry needle for sewing in threads.
• Blocking materials.
• Double knit yarn in five colours, approximately 160m (192m) / 175yds (210yds) of the Main Colour, along with approximately 40m (50m) / 44yds (55yds) of Contrast Colour 1 and 20m (25m) / 22yds (27yds) of Contrast Colours 2, 3 and 4 with oddments of Contrast Colour 5 required for the short cowl. For a larger cowl, an additional 70m (88m) / 77yds (96yds) of the Main Colour, along with approximately 40m (50m) / 44yds (55yds) of Contrast Colour 1 and 20m (25m) / 22yds (27yds) of Contrast Colours 2, 3 and 4 will be required for each additional repetition. The sample is a short cowl shown in size one and is worked in Elle Merino 100% superwash merino wool, 100m / 109yds per 100g in colourways White (Main Colour) and Black (Contrast Colour 1) and in leftover Malabrigo Rios - 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 192m / 210yds per 100g for contrast colours 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Size:
Two sizes: 1 (2). The cowl measures 58cm (73cm) / 23” (29”) in circumference and 26cm / 9.5” in height for a short cowl and the cowl will be an extra 16cm / 6.5” in height for each additional pattern repetition added.

Gauge:
22 stitches and 24 rows = 10cm / 4” in stranded knitting, worked with larger needles in the round and blocked.