Come to the Dark Side Cowl by Susan Distel

Come to the Dark Side Cowl

Knitting
March 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in stocking stitch before blocking
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
400 - 450 yards (366 - 411 m)
one size
English
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Do you have a skein of fingering weight in a darker colour that doesn’t know what it wants to be? Join me and Come to the Dark Side!
This design was inspired by a skein of gradient yarn that was beautiful, but also dark and moody. I wanted something that was interesting to knit, but didn’t have a complicated pattern that would be lost in the dark yarn.
The result is a tall, tapered cowl that drapes gently around your neck. There is a simple stitch pattern for textural interest, and to keep the knitting interesting.
I suggest solid, semi-solid or gradient yarn for this design, as the stitch pattern won’t be visible in a heavily variegated yarn.
It will also be beautiful in a light coloured yarn, of course.

Supplies
3.5 oz (100g) of fingering weight yarn 400-450 yards (360-411 m).
US 5 (3.75 mm) (or size to meet gauge) and US 4(3.5mm) (or one size smaller than your first needle) circular needles long enough to hold your stitches. I used a 16” (40cm) cable with my interchangeable needle tips.
Sewing up needle.
One marker for the beginning of the round.

Finished dimensions after blocking: approx. 26” (66cm) circumference at the bottom, 22” (56cm) at the top and 16” (40.5cm) tall.

I used 400 yards (360 m) for my sample, but some testers couldn’t get the full height from that yardage. If you are using a 400 yard (360m) skein and are running close on yarn, instructions are provided for how to modify the pattern and finish at an earlier point.