The Traveler’s cowl

The Traveler’s Cowl Bundles by Drea Renee Knits with Spincycle Yarns

The Traveler’s cowl by Drea Renee Knits is a Knit with a difference; it aims to inspire you to experiment with gauge to play with the size of the cowl. And we did experiment with our studio sample!  We chose to knit ours with different yarn and bigger needles (5.5 mm) and the result was an amazingly soft and squishy cowl that feels like you are wearing a warm cloud around the neck.

“The stitch pattern lends itself beautifully to a relaxing knit, but its unique construction makes it fun to knit again and again! This cowl is worked flat on the bias, and then seamed. You begin by increasing on both edges, then only one, and finally decreasing on one edge to create this unique shape!”  Andrea Mowry

Our bundles contain 2 skeins of Bear Paw DK  from the Farmer’s Daughter’s Fibers held together with 1 skein of Fae from Ritual Dyes, to enhance the luxurious squishy feel of the cowl:

• The Venitian (our Studio sample): Bear Paw DK in York with Fae in Aquarius
• The Dubliner: Bear Paw DK in Daddy State of Mind with Fae in Leo
• La Toulousaine: Bear Paw DK in Mars of us with Fae in Taurus
• The New-Yorker: Bear Paw DK in Bitterroot with Fae in Libra

Pattern not included, pick up a paper copy or find it on Andrea’s website or Ravelry.

Top tip: if you’re after a multicoloured base yarn to pair with Fae why not try Dream State! Choose individual skeins of your pick here.

SIZES

Toddler (Youth, Adult Small, Adult Large)

FINISHED GOAL MEASUREMENTS

Circumference – 18 (21, 24, 26)”/46 (53.5, 61, 66) cm
Back Neck Depth – 5.25 (7.25, 9.5, 9.5)”/13.5 (18.5, 24, 24) cm

YARN REQUIREMENTS

These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

DK Weight Wool Yarn
Total approximate yardage per size: 65 (105, 157, 170) g/165 (265, 400, 430) yds/150 (245, 365, 395) m
Exact yardage will depend on size, gauge and yarn used.

Here is an estimate in grams of yarn necessary to use a different weight yarn in this pattern. Please note that these are just estimations. Andrea recommends staying within the range of fingering to worsted weight yarns.
Fingering – 55 (85, 130, 140) g
Sport – 60 (90, 140, 150) g
Worsted – 70 (110, 165, 175) g

SUGGESTED NEEDLES

US 6/4 mm – 24”/60 cm circular recommended
(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge. Cord length is not overly important, as you won’t be joining to work in the round.)

Here are the size needles I would recommend for other yarn weights. Andrea prefers to knit her cowls with a bit more structure, so she opts for the smaller needle in the range.
Fingering Weight – US 2-3/2.75-3.25 mm
Sport Weight – US 4-5/3.5-3.75 mm
Worsted Weight – US 7-8/4.5-5 mm

NOTIONS

Tapestry needle, locking stitch marker (2), row counter (optional)

GAUGE

21 sts & 40 rows = 4”/10 cm – for the pattern as written, but will vary if you choose to knit yours at a different gauge with a different yarn/needle combo.

TECHNIQUES TO INDULGE IN

I-cord edges
Casting On
Knitting
Purling
Increasing
Working on the bias
Decreasing
Kitchener stitch
Seaming