Colorshift is a hybrid cowl capelet with subtle shifts in color achieved by knitting with multiple strands held together as one. The shaping is created by gradually increasing needle size and adding additional strands of yarn. Colorshift can be worn as a cowl, pulled up over your hair as a wimple, or layered over a spring dress like a capelet making it an ideal accessory for transitional weather!

Pattern can be made using lace or fingering weight yarn. Though the difference in thickness between the two weights of yarn is small, the lace weight yarn (shown in green) yields a more delicate, lighter weight fabric and fingering weight (shown in purple) creates a more dense, slightly heavier fabric. Both make the same size cowl.

SKILL LEVEL
Easy

SIZES + MEASUREMENTS
One size fits most. Feedback from test knitters indicates this one-size pattern can be worn as a capelet up to about a 44” bust. Measurements are taken post-blocking with the fabric laying flat and unstretched. The ribbed fabric is super stretchy!
Neck Opening: 23” (56 cm)
Hem Opening: about 42” (105 cm)
Length: 18” (45 cm)

GAUGE
Swatch should be knit in Ribbing Pattern (see SPECIAL STITCHES) using the smallest needle and holding one strand each of C1 & C2 together.

Gauge for lace weight yarns: 28 sts = 4”. Suggested needle size US 4 (3.5 mm).

Gauge for fingering weight yarns: 26 sts = 4”. Suggested needle size US 6 (4mm).

TECHNIQUES + STITCHES
cast on & bind off – tubular method recommended
knit & purl
knitting in the round
knitting with multiple strands held together as one

MATERIALS
YARN: To make this pattern in lace weight yarn you will need 1690 yards (1527 m) of yarn divided as follows:
C1 - 465 yds (416 m), C2 - 465 yds (416 m),
C3 -445 yds (407 m), C4 - 315 yds (288 m).
Green sample shown in Malabrigo Lace (100% Merino; 470 yards/50 grams) in Frank Ochre (C1), Lettuce (C2), Sapphire Green (C3), and Verde Esperanza (C4).

To make this pattern in fingering weight yarn you will need 1465 yards (1340 m) of yarn divided as follows:
C1 - 420 yds (384 m), C2 - 420 yds (384 m),
C3 - 375 yds (343 m), C4 – 300 yds (229 m).
Purple sample shown in Madelinetosh Merino Light (100% Merino; 420 yards 384 m /skein) in Curiosity (C1), Posy (C2), Alazarian (C3), and Fig (C4).

NEEDLES: Interchangeable needle sets are ideal for this pattern. You will need a 20” (50 cm) circular needle in the size used to obtain gauge and needles 1, 2, 3, & 4 sizes larger. You can knit the whole pattern on a 20” length, or you can change to a longer length as the stitches grow and begin to crowd the needle.

Suggested needle sizes for lace weight are
US 4 (3.5 mm) for gauge, and US 5 (3.75 mm),
US 6 (4 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm), and US 8 (5 mm).

Suggested needle sizes for fingering weight are
US 6 (4 mm) for gauge, and US 7 (4.5 mm),
US 8 (5 mm), US 9 (5.5 mm), and US (6 mm).

NOTIONS: mkr, darning needle for weaving in ends.