Free Pattern: Truly, Madly, Deeply Cowl (knit)

The quest for something to make with a special skein of yarn can be a hard one. Whether it's yarn you spun yourself, or a one-of-a-kind specialty dye lot, an unknown and unlabeled skein of yarn left over from another project... What do you do with approximately 150 to 200 yards of yarn? You have enough hats, you need a scarf, but that isn't enough yardage, unless it's super bulky. What's the next best thing but a cowl, which is basically a scarf you can't lose as easily?

Enter the Truly, Madly Deeply cowl. Like many things, this is named for the color, which spoke to me of deep, strong emotion and warmth toward someone or something. This particular sample was made from a 175-yard skein of handspun merino and silk. Because it's not much bigger in diameter than a hat, it could easily be folded up and used as an ear warmer.

The other nice thing about this pattern is that if you have more than the prescribed 171 yards of sport weight that this was knitted from, you can just keep adding to the length until you're nearly out of yarn, then use the tail to sew it up. (You can also use a Kitchener stitch, but more on that later.)

Not a knitter? As of this writing, the sample for this is still for sale.

The pictured cowl was made with approximately 171 yards of sport weight merino/silk yarn on size 8 needles. Relaxed (unstretched), it measures 8" deep with a diameter of 25".

The basic instructions for this cowl have you knit it as a flat fabric, then fold it in half and sew the ends together. Instructions at the end are for those who would like to stretch their skills beyond the basics for a near-seamless join. Google and YouTube are excellent resources for learning the skills mentioned, or you can contact me for classes.

Special Stitch: Twisted Knit Stitch (TKS) = k2tog but leave the 2 stitches on the left needle, insert the right needle into the first stitch and pull up a 2nd loop, then slip the stitches off the right needle. Twisted knit stitch made.

Directions:

CO 50 sts.

R1: K3, (K2, P2) 11 times, K3.

R2: Rep R1.

R3: K3, (TKS, P2) 11 times, K3.

R4: Rep R1.

Continue in this pattern until it is long enough to fit over your head. I recommend a minimum of 23" inches. You will need approximately 2 yards of yarn to bind off and sew the ends together. (Do not break yarn until you have bound off, just to be safe!) It does not matter which row you end on.

Bind off, and break the yarn, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew the two ends together. Weave in ends.

Seamless finishing option (intermediate):

CO the 50 sts with your preferred provisional cast-on method.

When finished, instead of binding off, place the CO stitches on a needle (or on the other end, if you are using cable needles), and use the Kitchener Stitch to attach the two ends.

Weave in ends and you are done!

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