According to the dictionary, a labyrinth is a place of “intricate passageways and blind alleys”; something complex in its arrangement; an elaborate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find one’s way or to reach the exit; or the huge maze, Knossos, said to have been constructed by Daedalus for King Minos in ancient Crete to contain the Minotaur.

Here the labyrinth itself is lost: the pattern of this cowl appears complex with its twists and turns, its rooms separated by straight pathways, but in fact it is a simple combination of basic decreases paired with well-placed yarn overs—a simple, quick-to-knit cowl with a lot of interest. The points on both top and bottom edges form from the stitch pattern, and can be emphasized with blocking.

Cowl is worked in the round from one end straight through to the other, then bound off. The model was knit with two strands of a soft lace weight yarn. It could easily be worked with one strand—and fewer yards—of a fingering weight yarn.

Yarn: 725 (1,450) yards lace weight yarn, held double.

Skills: k2tog, ssk, YO, knitting in the round.

Other supplies: 1 stitch marker required. Additional stitch markers are optional.

Stitch patterns: Charted and written.