I experimented with this stitch pattern that reminds me of seeds sprouting out of the ground, and I had to make something perfect for early spring! The texture and squishiness of the sprouted seed stitch pattern result in a cozy, comfortable cowl to warm your neck.

There are three size options for this cowl: one for a snug fit or to fit a child, one for a relaxed fit, and one for a long or twice-around fit. You can use a variety of yarns to make this cowl, from fingering to bulky weight.

Knitting the cowl involves some satisfying colorwork while using only one color at a time. You can use this piece as a canvas for your colorful creations. A variegated yarn as your main or contrast color will make the sprouted seeds cowl an eye-catching accessory. Or you may choose more classic color combos for a more muted effect.

Bonus: completing this project will acquaint you with the idea behind mosaic knitting, in which alternating pairs of subsequent rows are worked in one of two colors. Slipping stitches then creates interesting color arrangements.

Skills: This is a beginner friendly pattern. You will need to cast on, bind off, make knit and purl stitches, and slip stitches.

Sizing: There are three size options for the Sprouted Seeds Cowl: snug (relaxed, twice-around) 20 (24, 58)”/ 51 (61, 148) cm. I recommend making it between 10”/25cm and 15”/38cm tall.

Yarn: Choose two contrasting colors of yarn in any weight ranging from fingering to bulky. Depending on your gauge and size chosen, you will need a total of about 150yds/137m (smallest size in 16sts per 4”/10cm), up to about 1200yds/1097m (largest size in 26sts per 4”/10cm).

Here are two examples of yardage needed.

• Sample 1 is made in Rowan SOFTYAK DK (148yd/135m per 50g skein, 76% Cotton, 15% Yak, 9% Nylon), peat colorway for the main color, and lawn for the contrast color. This sample is made in the smallest size 20”/51cm, and is 10”/25cm tall. The gauge is 20sts & 50rows = 4”/10cm. Approximately 142yd/130m of the main color (peat), and 56yd/51m of the contrast color (lawn) were used, excluding the gauge swatch.

• Sample 2 is made in Malabrigo Yarn ARROYO (334yd/305m per 100g skein, 100% Merino), 717 galaxy colorway and John Arbon Textiles ALLSORTS (273yd/250m per 100g skein, 80% Corriedale, 20% Merino), soor plooms colorway. This sample is made in the smallest size 20”/51cm, and is 11”/28cm tall. The gauge is 20sts & 44rows = 4”/10cm. Approximately 137yd/125m of John Arbon Textiles ALLSORTS were used, along with 83yd/76m of Malabrigo Yarn ARROYO, excluding the gauge swatch.

Other supplies: Gauge-size needles for circular knitting. You will also need a stitch marker for the beginning of round, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and also for a sewn bind off if you choose to use it.

Gauge: The row gauge is not essential for this project, but it will affect the amount of yarn needed. This pattern is written for multiple stitch gauges: 16 (18, 20) 22 (24, 26) sts = 4”/10cm.