A cosy cowl whose colourwork pattern originated from The Ties That Bind Us mittens. Inspired by: Winter; festive holidays and Hogmanay (a time for gatherings and remembrance of family and friends); and our strong connections to each other.

Decorated with dancing people and hearts, forming a protective circle and finished with a physical tie cord around the top of the cowl to represent the ties that bind us. The tie also acts to tighten up your cowl for extra cosiness. (I may have snuck in a wee paw print to represent our beloved pets).

This charted pattern is a fun and relaxing project, aimed at knitters with some experience of stranded colourwork knitting but is straightforward enough to be attempted by a confident beginner with access to good resources.

Construction
The cowl is knitted in the round from the bottom up using a light DK wool. The joyful colourwork design is enclosed top and bottom with a moss stitch rib. The top rib includes eyelets for the cord. The cord provides a pop of colour and is finished off with two wee pompoms.

Sizes
One size

Yarn
Black Isle Yarns, Auchen Light DK.
Approximately:
MC 77g/200m (219yds)
CC 33g/86m (94yds)
CC2 for cords and pompoms 5g/13m (14yds)

Needles
3.25mm (US3) x 60cm (24”) circular needle for moss stitch rib
3.5mm (US4) x 60cm (24”) circular needle for colourwork section

Alternatively, use double-pointed needles (DPN’s) or other length of circular needle if using magic loop method.

Notions
Stitch markers x 2
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Cardboard template for pompoms or pompom maker (optional)