Across the pond, tall and slender stems sway and dance in the gentle breeze. All is quiet. We rest in the warmth of the day, cradled by the murmur of water. The subtly fragrant purple flowers are a delight to the eye.
This is the epitome of summer, lingering in our minds until the first frost.
The Humbelli cowl, inspired by the flowers of the Verbena Bonariensis, is freely named after the shape of its inflorescence: The umbel. Humbelli combines knitted lace and brioche patterns complementing each other. The two-color playful waves, colorful stems and umbels create a gentle rhythm. Come sway with us and get addicted to lace and brioche!

Did you know? The umbel is a flower cluster (or inflorescence) in which stalks are of nearly equal length and spring from a common center. They can form a flat or a curved surface, a bit like an umbrella, but with flowers. I’m sure you have seen those: Carrot, parsley, dill, and fennel all have umbels, and of course the Verbena Bonariensis!

For best effect, use a round yarn with good stitch definition. Yarn weights ranging from fingering to worsted would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend solid, semi-solid, speckled, or gradient (single skein or gradient set) yarns, and making sure the two colorways as sufficient contrast (think about color value).

Did you always want to try out brioche knitting? Then this pattern is for you! The Humbelli cowl pattern comes with numerous video tutorials to learn how to work brioche in the round. And if you’d like to try more brioche knitting, be sure to check out The Lotus Pond cowl!

Yarns
Manos del Uruguay Feliz (Sport, 70% Merino, 30% Modal; 320 meters / 350 yards per 100 grams); MC: 1 skein, CC: 1 skein. Sample uses 59 grams in color Z2442 Fjord (MC), 72 grams in color Z2333 Lagoon (CC).

Needles
3mm (US size 2.5) 80 cm / 32 inches circular needle, and
2.5mm (US size 1.5) 80 cm / 32 inches circular needle or sizes to obtain gauge.

Gauge
25 stitches and 31 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, unblocked, with larger needles.
17.5 stitches and 32 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stitch pattern A – Wavy Pond, blocked, with larger needles.
20 stitches and 27.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Brioche stitch, unblocked, with smaller needles.
17.5 stitches and 14.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stitch pattern C – Umbel, blocked, with smaller needles.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.

Notions
Removable stitch markers: 1 in color A (beginning-of-round marker), 13 in color B (optional), 1 in color C (jog-avoidance marker). Tapestry needle. Blocking pins. Blocking wires (optional).

Size
One; easily customizable.

Final measurements
Circumference (c): 112 cm / 44 inches, height (h): 38 cm / 15 inches.

Skill level
Basic stitches, increases, double decreases. Brioche basic stitches. Brioche multiple increases and decreases. Relatively easy to memorize lace stitch pattern. Lace patterning on all rounds. Working stripes. Brioche stitch pattern requiring some attention. Dealing with changing stitch counts. Working in two-color Brioche in the round. Elastic BO. Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.

Pattern notes
This pattern is worked in the round with both striped lace and two-color brioche. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided as well as clear video tutorials for the used stitches and techniques.

Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.

Thank you note
I’d like to send a big thank you to my truly awesome test knitters on Ravelry: canopycraft, kallyknits. Thanks a lot for your time and dedication, for helping me make this pattern even better and for showing how the pattern would look like with different yarns!

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

We all love knitting, right?! I certainly do! I’d like to gift you a cowl and doing so spread the love for knitting even more :-) This gift is available to everyone.

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