The first time I encountered the music of Nina Simone was in the closing scene of the movie, Before Sunset, these movies touched me deeply when I first saw them and this song became a reminder and lingering memory.

The second memory was listening to Hozier sing Nina cried power for the first time, it lit fire in my veins, it made me feel grateful to be alive, and most importantly it highlighted the importance of crying power. Over the course of my life and journey, I have seen how important it is to learn to inspire yourself, and for me this is about that remembering what makes me feel grateful to be alive and inspired to follow the path I am drawn to follow. And this song is one of those things, it is a protest song and artistic testament all in one.

And finally, it was watching Tom Ellis sing Nina Simone’s Sinnerman – and the haunting relevancy of the song and its lyrics, and the impact that the series had on me.
So, with this cowl I wish to capture the interconnectedness of these influences and the impact they, and Nina Simone, has had on my life.

Materials:
• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or size needed to meet the required gauge.
• One 3.75mm / US size 5 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or one size smaller than needed to meet the required gauge.
• 4 (5, 6) Stitch markers, optional, one of which is used to mark the beginning of round.
• Tapestry needle for sewing in threads.
• Blocking materials.
• Worsted weight yarn, approximately 192m (240m, 288m) / 210yds (262yds, 315yds) for Chart A or approximately 154m (187m, 225m) / 168yds (205yds, 246yds) for Chart B. The sample is shown in size 1, using chart D and is worked in Malabrigo Rios – 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 192m / 210yds per 100g, in the Niebla Colourway.

Gauge:
24 stitches and 30 rows = 10cm / 4” in cable knitting, worked in the round and blocked.

Size:
Three sizes: 1 (2, 3). The cowl measures 50cm (63cm, 76cm) / 19.5” (25”, 30”) in circumference and is 21cm (22cm, 24cm) / 8.5” (8.5”, 9,5”) in height using chart A and 27cm (28cm, 30cm) / 10.5” (11”, 12”) in height using chart B. The width of the cowl is easily adaptable by adding multiples of 30 stitches.