The double helix staircase at Chambord in France is attributed to Domenico da Cortona and Leonardo da Vinci. The Cortona cowl uses a double helix of stitches to to create this squishy stitch pattern – perfect for a cosy cowl.

Size
Circumference: 137cm /54in/
Depth: 19.5cm /7¾in/

Yarn
Something to Knit With Aran (70% highland wool, 30% superfine alpaca; 82m /89yds/ per 50g skein)
Pool 5 x 50g skeins

Needles and Notions
1 set 4.5mm US 7 circular needles, 80cm 32in long, or needle size required to match tension
2 sets 4mm US 6 circular needles, 80cm 32in long, or needle one size smaller than the size needed to match tension
Stitch marker
Waste yarn (smooth cotton is ideal)

Tension
16 sts and 20 rounds to 10cm [4in] over helical tweed knot stitch pattern using larger needles

Pattern Notes
The cowl starts with a waste yarn cast on, and smaller needles are used to knit a firm folded hem. Once the hem has been joined, helical tweed knot stitch is worked until the cowl is the desired depth. Then smaller needles are used to create a second folded edge which is joined either by casting off and sewing down, or by grafting.
When joining in a new skein of yarn, you can splice the old and new yarns together. There is a photo tutorial to demonstrate this technique over on our blog: https://www.acknitwear.co.uk/blog/2018/10/10/completed-te...

Video Tutorials
The following video tutorials may be found shortly on our website
at www.acknitwear.co.uk/something-new-to-learn-about-helical...
Waste yarn cast-on method
Grafting (Kitchener stitch)