This pattern was originally published as Twisted’s contribution to the 2018 Rose City Yarn Crawl, March 1 – 4, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.

Forty miles east of Portland on the Columbia River, the Bonneville Dam was built to power New Deal economic development for humans but presented a literally insurmountable barrier for fish. Fish ladders were built to help hundreds of thousands of salmon and other fish make their spawning runs upriver each year. Evoking the stair-step structure of the fish ladders, this cowl uses a triple-crochet stitch and long chains to create a loose, airy, netlike fabric — more suitable for catching well-accessorized humans than speeding salmon.

Yarn
Approximately 400 yards/365 meters fingering weight yarn.

Shown in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in colorway Portland Puddles, and Blue Moon Fiber Arts Super Sparkle in colorway Smoke on the Water.

Finished Measurements
Approximately 19” wide and 60” circumference AFTER blocking. Includes notes for customization.

Gauge
12 stitches and 5 rows = 4”/10 cm in triple crochet AFTER blocking. Approximately 14 squares in pattern over 10” BEFORE blocking and 11 squares in pattern over 10” AFTER blocking.

Gauge is not crucial but will affect finished measurements and amount of yarn required. Please note that this pattern will grow significantly with blocking.

Hook
I/9-5.5 mm (or size needed to get correct gauge)

Notions
Tapestry needle

Skill Level
Advanced beginner