£3 from the sale of this pattern will be divided between Refuge and Nomi network: both charities that work to improve the lives of women. For more information about their work please visit:

www.refuge.org.uk
www.nominetwork.org

This simple but striking cowl takes its inspiration from the #BreakTheBias pose, chosen for International Women’s Day 2022. The textured borders and cross motif are created using slipped stitches, meaning that only one colour is ever in use at a time. There no rounds involving stranded colourwork!

The pattern can be knitted in the round or knitted flat, using either charts or written instructions, to enable as many knitters as possible to make their own visible statement of support to break the bias and create a gender equal world.

To make this cowl you will need:

• DK yarn: 50g in each of your three colours.
• 4mm needles: either straight needles if you want to knit the cowl flat, or 40–50cm circular needles to make the cowl in the round.
• Stitch marker.
• Tapestry needle to weave in ends.

You can make your #BreakTheBias Cowl in any colours you like but why not take inspiration from the life and work of someone who has helped to move us a little closer to gender equality? For my samples, I have taken colour inspiration from book covers. But you could use photos, logos, album covers, artworks… The list is limitless!

Once you have created your cowl, please consider putting it on social media using the hashtags #breakthebias and #breakthebiascowl to help raise awareness of International Women’s Day and its aim to promote a world of gender equality.