Alquemie is the medieval French spelling of alchemy—the seemingly magical process of transformation or creation. The stitch patterns of both the scalloped border and the eyelet lace body are completely reversible, allowing the cowl to transform into many different looks depending on how you choose to drape it around the neck and which side you decide is “up.” The main section evokes a sea of interlocking rings on one side while magically appearing as a traditional basketweave stitch on the other, so it can look like a completely different cowl from one day to the next! And the border may be positioned to display the pretty textured scallops along the top or bottom edge for a feminine, dressy look, or may be folded under and hidden for a more casual look.

Although Alquemie may be worn doubled for added warmth, the contrasting stitch patterns and the lovely peaks and valleys of the border will show to the best advantage when worn as an infinity scarf in a single loop. The size of that loop is completely up to you, as the circumference is easy to customize by casting on more or fewer stitches, by using a different yarn weight, or both. The width may also be easily adjusted. Full instructions are provided, including how to calculate the number of cast-on stitches for any size.

The red sample pictured reflects an Alquemie worked at the pattern size with the recommendation of using a larger needle for the border. The aqua Alquemie was my first sample knitted, and is a bit smaller by a couple of inches) in that it was worked on US 6 needle without going up a needle size for the border. Both used the Hazel Knits Lively DK: the red one used Ruby Love and the aqua Adventurine.

The Alquemie pattern includes both charts and full written out instructions for those of you who prefer not to use charts.

Construction Notes: Alquemie is worked in the round, starting with the scalloped bottom border. After the border is completed, the main section is worked with a textured eyelet lace pattern. The cast on and border are worked on the larger US 7/4.5 mm needles; the main section is worked on the smaller US 6/4.0 mm needles.

Substitute Yarn Weights: While directions, dimensions and yardage are provided for DK weight, Alquemie could effectively be worked in other yarn weights. For example, using about 350 yards (320 m) of fingering or sock weight yarn will result in a cowl that measures approximately 45 x 8.5” (114 x 22 cm) when worked at the pattern size on US Size 4/3.5 mm and US 5/3.75 mm needles. Fingering weight or heavier is recommended. Whatever weight you chose, please be sure to use needles that are one size larger for the cast on and border than those you use for the main section.