Originally published in the Knitrino app, the pattern is now available in all of my stores!

INTRO

After the leaves descend to the ground, a tree’s structure is revealed and its branches are laid bare. If we’re lucky, we can see the remnants of an old bird’s nest. The limbs and fingers of trees quite literally reach toward the sun, an outstretched pose that reminds us to gaze upwards and to always be awed by nature.

Branches is a fantastic stranded knitting project, and is the perfect introduction for those new to the technique. The cowl is knit entirely in the round to form a tube, and the floats are completely hidden on the inside. It’s then blocked flat and the ends are grafted together using Kitchener Stitch.

SIZING

One size

Finished cowl circumference: Approximately 26.25” / 66 cm

Finished cowl diameter: Approximately 7.5” / 18.75 cm

BLOCKED GAUGE

30 sts and 32 rnds = 4” / 10 cm

NEEDLES

Two sets of size US 4 / 3.5 mm circular knitting needles, 16 – 20” / 40 - 50 cm long each

Size US G or H / 4.50 or 5.00 mm crochet hook for provisional cast-on

YARN

Any fingering and/or sport weight yarn that meets gauge. Select yarn colors with high contrast.

Orange Sample:

MC: 1 skein of Birch Hollow Fibers Sylvia Sock (fingering weight, 75% super-wash merino, 25% nylon) 463 yards / 424 meters / 100 grams per skein. Shown in colorway A Cloak of Mist.

CC: 1 skein of Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (sport weight, super-wash 2-ply wool) 200 yards / 183 meters / 50 grams per skein. Shown in colorway Rusted Rainbow.

Red Sample:

MC: 1 skein Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering (100% merino wool) 475 yards / 434 meters / 114 grams per skein. Shown in colorway David Hess.

CC: 6 bobbins of Plied Yarns North Ave (100% non superwash wool) 35 yards / 32 meters per bobbin. Shown in colorways Webb, Eubie Blake, Nyaa!, Divine, Gentrification and Tool Library

NOTIONS

6 markers, including one unique BOR and 5 chart markers; 2 RMs; fingering or sport weight scrap yarn in contrasting color for provisional cast-on; and yarn needle for kitchener stitch and weaving in ends

YARDAGE

Yardage includes a 10% buffer.

MC: 331 yards / 303 meters
CC: 185 yards / 169 meters