Update 7/2/2024: The banana fiber took two days to dry! After blocking and drying, however, it is remarkably soft and silky.

Update 6/29/2024: I picked this up again after a couple of false starts and finally finished it. I discovered that I needed to yank the yarn every foot or so to straighten out overtwists. I went back to Tippecanoe27’s pattern and it was successful this time! It’s not as lopsided as it looks in the photo. I blocked it by putting two chopsticks to define the ends and using knitting blockers. I tried just pulling it out as it dried, but that wasn’t getting it straight enough.

Update 2/16/24: Yarn is just a mess. All kinds of fluffs sticking out and overtwists all the way through. Frogged both projects I tried. Might make coasters!

I don’t remember where my banana fiber yarn came from, but it is about 80-90 yarnds/skein. The color is Sunflower. It’s a bit difficult to work with because of its lumpiness, but is softer than it looks. I used the cowl pattern from raveler Tippicanoe27. The pattern is posted in her project page for her cowl: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Tippicanoe27/banana-fibe...

I used a circular needle (24”) and joined the round. This yarn sticks on wooden needles; a stainless needle worked better.

Thank you, Tippicanoe27! You are a Mensch for sharing your design! I had a very hard time finding the right pattern until I found yours.