This simple cowl is worked in garter stitch and takes only a few hours from cast-on to bind-off. First the center is cast on provisionally and worked back and forth. Then the ends are grafted to each other. For the borders, stitches are picked up along the top and bottom edges and worked in the round.

The pattern is written for one skein of bulky weight yarn, which makes it a great stashbuster project. However, it can be easily adapted to lighter or heavier yarns as it is easily modified in circumference and height. Instructions for these modifications are included in the pattern.

The name of this cowl comes from Joseph Brackett, a Shaker elder who wrote the song “Simple Gifts.”

If you would like to show your appreciation for this pattern, please make a donation to my cousin Debbie’s GoFundMe page.

Debbie is a survivor of Stage IIIc ovarian cancer and is a carrier of the BRCA2 gene. On the advice of her doctor, she recently had a prophylactic double mastectomy. Any donation you make will help to cover the costs of this surgery as well as ease my cousin’s mind as she recovers. Thank you!