It may look complex but this braided cowl is easy and may be accomplished on all machines. It’s a lot of drama for a modest amount of yarn and work. Thanks to clever fellow knitter Erin Riddle for the brilliant name. For those who don’t know, challah is a braided bread traditionally used to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath. While I did not grow up Jewish, I did spend some of my youth in a neighborhood with a fantastic Jewish bakery where I developed fond memories of this excellent treat. It does look very much like this cowl!

SIZE
Finished size is 6” across at the ribbing, 4” across the braid alone, 40” in total circumference at outer edge, 28” at inner edge. The sample is bulky. There will be slight differences in the mid-gauge and standard, single bed and double bed versions due to fabric weight and tube shape.

YARN NOTES FOR ALL KNITTERS
Select a yarn that would knit about 45.5, 7 stitches per inch for bulky mid-gauge, standard machines for most projects. Instructions for the various gauges will appear in the order just shown. Instead of knitting at the usual stitch size, knit at the maximum size for the machine. Bonds, consider yourselves bulky knitters and use keyplate 4. Passaps, consider yourselves standards. The loose knitting makes a very soft fabric which makes a more attractive and comfortable braid than a firm fabric. Because of the loose stitches, everyone must use weights. Sample is knitted in Mary Lue’s Liberty Plus which is a wonderful, soft affordable choice. 6.5 oz. were used. I am normally a fussbudget about swatching but this once I give you permission to skip it as there is a way to adjust the length as needed and the width is not critical.