The opportunity to take a class on different ways to spin hand-dyed braids was too good to pass up, and I loved the instruction, the fiber choices, and the time to play! I came away with a few new ideas and a couple of bobbins of completely random colors. Now what? Naturally, ply them together and admire the new “pet yarn”! But I wanted to do more than just admire the colorful little test skeins. It looked like there would be enough for a small project, and the end result was my Crayon Flake Cowl.

Finished Size 37” long and 7.5” wide.

Fiber Variegated cowl: 5 oz various wools in dyed roving and top; lace edging, 1 oz natural gray Merino combed top. Gradient cowl: 5 oz Frabjous Fibers Lamb’s Tail Lucky Baaahboo (60% superwash Merino/30% bamboo/10% nylon) top in jewel and 3 oz dyed black Merino combed top; lace edging, 1 oz dyed black Merino combed top.

Yarn 2-ply; 220 yd MC for body (see Notes) and 80 yd CC for lace edging; 925 ypp; 12 wpi; DK weight.

Needles U.S. size 7 (4.5 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Four 3/4” buttons; tapestry needle.

Gauge 14 sts and 24 rows = 4” in seed st with 2 strands of yarn held tog. Gauge is not critical, but changes will affect the finished size and yarn requirements.

Notes The main section of this reversible cowl is worked in seed stitch with 2 strands of yarn held together throughout. If desired, change 1 strand at a time every few rows for continuous color changes. The garter lace edging is knitted on, picking up edge stitches from the main section.

The black-edged cowl used about 20 yards each of orange and yellow-green and about 26 yards of each of the remaining seven colors.