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I was inspired for this contest by the Minnesota Knitter’s Guild fall retreat, which is full of long chats by the fire, making connections and garnering the best kind of medicine for winter chill. This sampler type cowl (in colorways reminiscent of a winter sunset, see photo) alternates a divider of reverse stockinette stitch and a repeating lace motif which makes the cowl easy to knit as you become familiar with the stitch pattern. The fun of putting in the diver in the contrasting color will make this a potato chip project; you just can’t stop because you can’t wait to get to the next section. This would make an excellent project for knitters of all abilities to sit down together around a fire at a retreat and cast on in shared community and friendship.

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for a home.” Edith Sitwell

SIZE: Adult Medium.

FINISHED SIZE: 26” (66 cm) around X 14” (35.5 cm) deep.

YARN: Fingering-weight (approximately 400 yds per
100 g); an assortment of mini skeins totaling
approximately 340 yds or 85 grams. Five different colors
are recommended.

Sample was knit in Lavender Lune mini skein set of 5 colors, 20 grams each (4 ply fingering weight; 75% Superwash Merino, 25% nylon; 460 yards/421 m) 100 g total, in the winter sunset colorway. Main color uses
approximately 19 grams; each of the contrasting colors
uses 15 grams.

GAUGE: 24 sts and 20 rnds per 4”/10 cm (6 sts and 5
rnds per 1”/2.5 cm) in Stockinette Stitch.

NEEDLE: US size 3 (3.25 mm) 16-inch (40 cm)
circular needle.

NOTIONS: Stitch marker, tapestry needle.

This cowl was tech edited by Ellen Silva. Graphic design was done by Erica Gunn. Test knitters were Jane Leverenz and Angela Jenkins.