The Hounds of Winter – as in the song by Sting – have been haunting me. At this time of year (mid-February) I am usually quite tired of the cold, the snow and the general bleakness of the season.

Enter this little cowl. It has everything you need to get you through: The houndstooth pattern is entertaining to knit and produces already a double layer for warmth with a little surprise hidden on the inside: Sunny yellow stripes are worked on the inner layer to lighten the mood. Knit in one piece, the only finishing consists of weaving in the ends and grafting the live stitches to the cast-on edge to get a seamless look.