Sometimes an idea won’t leave your brain. It takes up residence, perhaps rattles around a bit, changing shape, and eventually grows into something else. That’s how Perseveration came to be.

I’ve been a bit obsessed lately with mitered squares and color blocking. My brain wanted to play around with different shapes that modular-knit mitered squares could create, and eventually a bandana cowl emerged that I really love. I hope the joy of knitting this cowl stays with you long after it’s off the needles!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Skills/Techniques: Picking up and purling (video provided), intarsia twist (video provided), mitered squares, knitted cast-on, seaming garter rows with mattress stitch (video provided).

Yarn: Sea Change Fibers Pelagic Worsted Merino/Rambouillet 240 yards/100g per skein; one skein each in Odile and Lagoon, or approximately 220 yards of smooth worsted-weight yarn in each of two contrasting colors (440 yards total). The sample uses Odile (black) as Color A and Lagoon (blue) as Color B.

Needles: #7 US (4.5 mm) needles for knitting flat, at least 10”/25 cm in length, or size to obtain gauge

Notions: tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge: 16 sts and 32 rows per 4”/10 cm in garter stitch after blocking

Measurements: 9.5” /24 cm wide at the top, 18”/46 cm wide at widest point, 19”/48 cm long