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Rediscover the joy & versatility of the stitches that started it all: knit & purl.

Alternating between garter and textured stitch sections, A Study in Texture Cowl features 16 Etudes, unique stitches built on the simplest foundation. An etude, or ‘study’, is a short piece of music, crafted to strengthen a particular technique. As a classical pianist myself, it seemed natural to create a pattern that could introduce a few more challenging stitches into a knitters repertoire, while still practicing our ‘scales’; garter stitch.

Let each etude take you on a journey from traditional Guernsey stitches of the 1800’s, to riffs on the classics, and original motifs. With two cowl sizes, stitch combination options, and suggestions for improv-ing, you’ll be able to easily customize your project.

A Study in Texture Cowl was designed in gratitude and homage to the matriarchs of my family for the passions they passed on to me; my grandmother Ede, for her love of the piano and improv, and my ‘Gramma’ Thelma, for her cozy knits, and patient lessons in the craft.

I’ve crafted a classical piano music playlist to invite a deeper connection to the Etudes, with composers ranging from 17th century masters to modernist rebels. Feel free to listen while you stitch, or create your mixtape!

Pattern includes both written and charted instructions, with 2 sizes (a Basic Cowl and Infinity Cowl), options to knit three variations of the pattern, with suggestions on making it your own! With such a variety of stitches and techniques, there is plenty to keep both adventurous beginners and experienced crafters from getting bored!

Basic Cowl
Finished Measurements: 11”/ 28 cm wide, 30”/ 76 cm long
Materials: 1 skein of The Spinnacle Fiber Arts ‘Sportif’ (100% SW Merino; 256 yards (234 meters) / 115 grams), or ‘Organic Sportif’
(Option 1 shown in purple on Sportif base, colorway “Never get involved in a land war in Asia”, Option 2 shown in pink on Organic Sportif base, colorway “A rose by any other name”)

Infinity Cowl
Finished Measurements: 11”/ 28 cm wide, 60”/ 152 cm long
Materials: 2 skeins of The Spinnacle Fiber Arts ‘Sportif’ (100% SW Merino; 256 yards (234 meters) / 115 grams), or ‘Organic Sportif’
(Infinity cowl shown in green on Sportif base, colorway “I’d like to take it back to awkward silence now.”)

Needle Size
Size US 7 (4.5 mm) (24”/60 cm circular needles recommended)

Gauge
22 st and 28 rows = 4 inches/ 10 cm in stockinette stitch

Notions
waste yarn, tapestry needle, blocking pins/wires, markers (optional)

Construction Notes
Provisional CO, knit flat, grafted with Kitchener Stitch. Border of 2 Garter Stitches at beginning and end of each row. Stitch count varies from 51-53 st. Pattern alternates between ‘Etude’ sections (a textured stitch pattern), and ‘Garter’ sections.

Shoutout to the test knitters who helped bring this pattern to life: A, Angela, Beth, Brenda, Cynthia, Deb, Desiree, Inna, Janice, Joleen, Kathleen, Millie, Ronja, & Tiffany. A thousand thanks!

Thanks to my mama, Chris, patient sounding board, editor, photographer.
And to my bestie, Morrigan, for a fab photoshoot!