As the days grow shorter, the light grows paler and weaker, and the bitter winds begin to blow, for many, a long dark teatime of the soul begins. But not for knitters. For knitters, winter is our golden time. Our fingers fly through the dark evenings and cozy, warm accessories fall from our needles. In this season more than any other, our loved ones neglect to roll their eyes when more yarn comes in the door. Instead, they hope that beautiful, soft wooliness is destined to warm their head or neck or hands. When squishy, lofty skeins of Grey Label Chunky came through my door, I knew they were meant to be cozy cowls to keep my family warm through the winter that is just around the corner.

Leaves of Grey is a chunky cowl that knits up in a flash. Knit the small to tuck snugly into a coat, or the large to make a dramatic stand against the cold. The pattern is suitable for a chunky yarn in a solid or semi-solid colour that blocks well.

Sizes: Small, Large. The Small is a snug cowl, the Large can be worn as a cowl or as a capelet for chest sizes up to 42”. Model shown wearing Large has a chest circumference of 33”.

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Grey Label Chunky (80% merino/20% alpaca, 125 yards/114 m per 4 oz/115 g), Large sample shown in Chris Grey, Small sample shown in Frost

Yardage: 185 (360) yards/ 170 (330) m, or 2 (3) skeins.

Gauge: 14 sts=4” in stockinette

Needles:
US size 10/6.0 mm 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
US size 8/5.0 mm 20”/50 cm or 24”/60 cm circular needles, or needle two sizes smaller than gauge needle

Finished Dimensions:
Height: 11 (15)”/ 28 (38) cm
Circumference: 24 (40)”/61 (102) cm at bottom edge, 20 (28)”/51 (71) cm at top edge
Measurements taken from blocked, rested cowl, laid flat and unstretched.