I made this simple (but very warm and cozy) cowl for my husband for Christmas. It takes only one skein of Baby Alpaca Grande or something similar and works up quickly.

It’s also not a bad choice if you’re skiing.

Bear in mind these aren’t super-professional instructions. I haven’t had this tested or tech edited or anything useful like that. But it’s free, so there you go.

Single Malt Cowl
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande Paint100 gr/110 yds. Color: 8822.
Finished size: 17″ around at top, 9″ long at front.
Gauge: 13 sts x 22 rows = 4″ (10 cm). (Gauge isn’t absolutely vital, but you do want to be sure this fits over the recipient’s head.)
Needles: US 10.5 dpns or 16″ circulars
Notions: Marker; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

CO 48 sts, place marker and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work 6 rnds in garter stitch.
Rnd 1: k1, m1L, k to 1 st before marker, m1R, k1.
Rnd 2: Knit around

Rep Rnds 1 & 2 until cowl measures 8.25″ (or until it looks like you’ll run out of yarn soon).
Work Rnd 1 again.
Next Rnd: purl around.

Rep these last 2 rnds 2 more times. Bind off loosely (or use something like Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO because you really don’t want this part to be too tight). Weave in ends. Block.

Enjoy!