Arete is a colour-work cowl, crocheted in the round and then steeked (cut up the steek stitches). It can either be worn as a flat cowl with a twist, covering your shoulders and neck, doubled over on the inside to create a chunky neck cowl.

Arete uses Harvest Hues by John Arbon Textiles, a 4 ply (fingering weight) yarn, which is perfect for colourwork and works well for steeking.

This is a great make if you are ready to tackle a larger tapestry crochet project that is easy to memorise but has is still challenging. There is very little reference to steeking crocheted work - lots of references to using crochet to reinforce knitting with slip stitches, but next to nothing on steeking crochet. This pattern has photo tutorials and a video tutorial to take you through it.

Terminology: As with all of my crochet patterns your purchase allows you to access a PDF version with UK crochet terminology and a PDF with US crochet terminology.

Pattern Tutorial: To accompany this pattern I have created a video tutorial. This is available through a private YouTube link that can only be accessed by people that have bought the pattern for Arete (crocheted).

The tutorial takes you through the materials needed, shawl construction, key techniques used in the pattern, blocking hints and getting in touch.

If you make this shawl please do upload your WIP and FO on Ravelry. It would be great to see it on Instagram too - #AreteCowl #FayDHDesigns @faydhdesigns

Hooks: 3mm (D/3) for tapestry crochet and 2.5mm (C/2) for ribbing and button bands.

Gauge/tension: unblocked 21 sts and 23 rnds over 10cm/4”. Blocked 19 sts and 21.5 rows over 10cm/4”.

Hours: approx 41 hours to make.

Meterage: 1224m/1337yds (approx 684m/747yds Yarn A (Woad), 324m/354yds Yarn B (Pomegranate), 216m/236yds Yarn C (Russet)).

Blocked dimensions: 116cm/45.75” wide, 47cm/18.5” deep.

Yarn: The yarn used within the pattern is John Arbon Textiles Harvest Hues 4ply/fingering weight (65% Organic Falklands Merino, 35% Zwartbles) in shades Woad (A), Pomegranate (B) and Russet (C). This is beautiful wool (non-Superwash) spun in Devon, England. It comes in at 400m/437yds per100g and is perfect for colour-work, tapestry crochet and steeking.

Yarn substitutes: Something with the same or very similar meterage. It can be a different blend or something like a 100% Shetland wool. What you need is something that is fibrous and toothy so that the colourwork sticks together and you can create a secure steek.

Blocking: This is a project that definitely benefits from wet blocking as it means you can take out most of the diagonal shift that you get from working crochet on the round.

If you are new to wet blocking, I have pulled together a YouTube Tutorial for that too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrMD-NoDwnM&t=189s