Revised December 2019, using Shibui Lunar + Pebble held together as MC. V2 uses a looser gauge than the original, with a narrower double loop size.

Stripes and texture move this way and that, the yarn flowing through the simple rhythms of the stitch patterns to make a striking, graphic cowl with two layers for extra warmth. Pattern includes instructions for a single and double loop cowl, as well as tips for adjusting the depth and length to suit your taste. Thataway is worked in the round and seamed; the seam is contained in a garter stitch band. You will need to know how to work in the round, with stripes and basic decreases. Photos show the double loop size; model is 5 ft 3 in/160 cm tall.

Yarn

• Shibui Knits Lunar (60% merino, 40% silk; 401 yds/367 m per 1.76 oz/50 g); 2 (2) skeins (shown in Bordeaux)
• Shibui Knits Pebble (48% Recycled Silk, 36% Fine Merino, 16% Cashmere; 224 yds/205 m per .88 oz/25 g): 3 (4) skeins (shown in Bordeaux)
• Shibui Knits Silk Cloud (60% kid mohair, 40% silk; 330 yds/300 m per .88 oz/25 g); 1 (1) skein (shown in Velvet)

Needles

• US5/3.75 mm circular 16 in/40 cm (can use 24 in/60 cm for the deeper single loop cowl), or size needed for correct gauge

Notions

• 2 stitch markers (end of round and middle of round); yarn needle

About the yarns: Shibui Birch is a sport weight extra fine merino singles yarn, with exquisite softness and a bit of a halo. If substituting for this yarn, look for a soft, sport or heavy fingering weight yarn that gives a fabric with some structure at the pattern’s gauge. You will need approximately 580 yds/530m (1035 yds/947m).

Shibui Knits Lunar and Pebble are held together as the MC. Shibui Lunar is a laceweight yarn made up of 3 plies of 60/40 merino/silk. The high percentage of mulberry silk in this yarn gives it a wonderful sheen and depth of colour, as well as a beautiful drape, while the merino gives memory to the fabric. Shibui Pebble is a tweedy, 2-ply, light fingering weight silk/merino/cashmere blend with a soft hand and a little memory. The combination of tweedy Pebble with smooth, silky Lunar gives depth and texture to the fabric and adds richness to the colour. If you’re substituting for the MC, you can either use two lace to light fingering weight yarns held together (or one yarn held double), or you can use a single strand of heavy fingering to sport weight yarn. Choose a yarn or yarns that give a soft, warm fabric that is somewhat drapey yet has enough memory to keep its shape. You will need approximately 500 yds/457 m (780 yds/713 m) of each of the fine yarns to be held together or of the single heavier yarn.

The CC—Shibui Silk Cloud—is a laceweight, kid mohair/silk blend with incredible loft and a very high halo. Both fibres give this yarn a beautiful lustre, while the mohair fills in the spaces around the stitches, allowing the yarn to be knit at a loose gauge for a light, airy fabric with no memory or bounce. If you’re substituting for the Silk Cloud, you can either choose a similar, high-halo laceweight yarn, or you can go for simple colour contrast and choose a lace to sport weight that complements the main colour. You’ll only need about 84 yds/77 m (130 yds/119 m), so this is a great place to use a leftover partial skein.