Here on the west coast of Canada, the wind can pick up and the waves crash hard on rocky shorelines. In parts of Vancouver Island, “storm watching” is advertised as a tourist activity to encourage folks to come here in the winter and it’s not just a gimmick! Storm season is a breathtaking time of year for contemplating the energy and beauty of the ocean, and for wearing lots of wool layers. This cowl project is double-layered to keep you warm on your blustery adventures. It takes inspiration from the ebb and flow of stormy waves on our rocky coast and it’s engaging to knit, with fun, colour-guided short-row garter stitch sections and simple wave-inspired lace and cables. This project was a collaboration between Andrea and Catherine of Gauge Dye Works, the August instalment of our 2023 Summer Yarn + Pattern Club!

This is the August pattern for the Summer 2023 Gauge Dye Works Yarn + Pattern Club. Club patterns and yarn will be exclusive to the club until summer of 2024.

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Finished Dimensions
Tube Circumference:
19.5 in/49.5 cm

Cowl length after grafting:
about 10 in/25 cm

Yarn
Yarn quantities are approximate.

443 yd/405 m fingering weight yarn

Shown in:
Gauge Dye Works Merino Twist
(80% superwash Merino, 20% nylon; 443 yd/405 m per 115g skein)
Colour: Whitecaps; 1 skein

If substituting yarn:
Colour A: 100 yd/92 m
Colour B: 255 yd/233 m
Colour C: 72 yd/66 m

Blocked Gauge
27 stitches/38 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch

Needles
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.

Suggested size US 2/2.75 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle

second 16 in/40 cm circular needle same size or smaller than gauge needle for grafting

Notions
size C-2/2.75 mm crochet hook
fingering weight waste yarn
tapestry needle
blocking wires, pins, and pinnable surface
stitch markers, including two removable markers; choose non-corrosive stitch markers that won’t rust since they’ll be in place during wet blocking

Skills
I consider this an intermediate level pattern. Techniques used include working wrap-and-turn short row shaping, basic cables and lace, and grafting.