Cowboy’s Ride Cowl is available on Payhip: https://payhip.com/b/D3rH

PATTERN DETAILS

CONSTRUCTION:
The Cowboy’s Ride Cowl is worked flat from the bottom up and transitions to in the round once the desired neck circumference is reached. The center design features a column of elongated caliper cables which are flanked by a striped garter stitch pattern on both sides.

Stripes of garter stitch continue up the neckline and are topped off with a two-stitch i-cord bind-off. Blocking is necessary to even out the cables and bring out the drape of the yarn.

Optional fringe is added to both sides of the elongated caliper cables for a unique look; or can be added along the side edges of the cowl for a more traditional placement.

The pattern includes written instructions and links to video tutorials for the elongated caliper cables (without a cable needle), two-stitch i-cord bind-off, and optional fringe.

YARN USED: Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK (100% Cotton; DK; 218 yd / 200 m per ball): sample uses 1 ball of #2 New Denim with or without fringe.

YARDAGE: 150 - 182 yds / 137 - 166.5 m; swatch uses additional 17.5 yds / 16 m if not used as part of the cowl; fringe uses an additional 13 yds / 12 m.

CIRCUMFERENCE: 22” / 56 cm, easily stretches to 24” / 61 cm; Depth to tip 18” / 45.5 cm; measurements taken after blocking.

NEEDLES: US # 8 (5 mm) is recommended or size to obtain gauge. 20” ( 51 cm) circular needle.

YARN SUBSTITUTION: DK weight yarn of any fiber can be used, but other fibers may require additional or less yarn and may affect drape. Tonal, solid, speckled, gradient, or lightly variegated work best. Swatch for gauge to be sure you’ll get the size and drape you want.

GAUGE: 18.5 sts x 24 rows / rnds = 4” / 10 cm worked flat or in the round in cable pattern (and lightly blocked); 14.5 sts x 25 rows 4” / 10 cm in striped-garter st (and blocked). A different gauge will affect drape, yardage required and size. Triangle tip of cowl doubles as your swatch.

NOTIONS REQUIRED: Tapestry needle, unique BOR stitch marker, 2 stitch markers, and scrap yarn for blocking. Optional for fringe: crochet hook size G (4.5 mm) and a business card or card stock.

SKILLS NEEDED: K2tog, kfb, yo, video and written instructions provided for elongated caliper cables, two-stitch i-cord bind-off, and optional fringe.

PATTERN INCLUDES:

• Schematic
• Optional Chart Special Techniques section with written instructionsVideo instruction for fringe, elongated caliper cables without a cable needle, and two-stitch i-cord bind-off, Swatch Instructions - the beginning tip of the cowl is also the swatchBlocking Instructions

PATTERN STORY:
After a quick interview, they were off in a covered wagon headed for the far reaches of the ranch. They were cowboys now. Each one committed to it for a year. The wagon was filled with everything my husband and his buddy needed to be “out” for a month in the high desert. They would be running the barbed wire fence and fixing it where it needed mending.

According to my husband, most of cowboying is just plain common sense. Without it, you get into trouble real fast. Don’t walk into a herd of cows; they’ll step on you. Don’t walk around the back end of a horse; they’ll just kick you. Don’t put your boots on without socks; they’re hard as hell to get off sweaty feet. Don’t tuck your pants into your boots; all the dirt on your pants ends up in the bottom of your boots when you stand up. Keep the shotgun loaded, but don’t keep a live round in the chamber; it might accidentally go off.

Everything a cowboy brings is needed. There is a reason for all of it - from hat to boot. A big brimmed hat is used to feed the horses, collect water for drinking, or as a fan to get the fire going. A scarf can be tied into a bandana to protect your face from dust, insects, or the sun. It’s also good for sifting dirt and leaves out of water, provided you didn’t blow your nose in it first.

A sturdy belt holds up your britches and is useful for hanging things to dry. Big heavy belt buckles can be heated up to keep hands warm, or used to fend off wild dog attacks. Cowboy boots protect you from rattlesnakes and scorpions, as well as tough sagebrush.

His year-long experience taught him that day in and day out, cowboying is nothing but hard work, sweat, dirt, and wire. There’s not a lot of levity in the desert. You do it because it’s work, not because you want to be a cowboy out on a Cowboy’s Ride.