When I teach the stacked stitch technique, students ask a lot of questions about design possibilities. The most asked question is about creating 3d fabric with this type of increase and decrease. This cowl is an answer to that question. It uses a similar motif to some of my other patterns, but without the extra shaping which keeps the fabric flat. The stitch creates something like interlocked fingers, a barrel of pickles, or maybe some cuddling cacti.

Finished Size: 24, 30” (56, 75 cm) circumference and 10” (25 cm) tall.
Yarn: 3 (4) skeins - Harrisville Designs Color Lab Series 1, 110 yards (101 meters) per 50g skein (100% Wool) or Harrisville Designs Watershed.
Needles: Size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles with a flexible cord, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Note: Some stitches in this pattern are difficult with straight needles.
Gauge: 16 sts x 20 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in garter stitch.
Other Materials: Tapestry needle.

Choosing Yarn

If you decide to use a different yarn, make sure the fiber is springy enough to hold the 3d shape. Rayon (bamboo), silk, and other drapey fibers will not hold the shape well.

Gauge is not important in this pattern, Simply add or remove row repeats to get the size you want. Edges are tighter than the middle of the row, so keep this in mind while measuring your cowl. Each repeat adds approx. 3” (7.5cm) to the top and bottom edges of the cowl, and 4” (10cm) to the middle. Add stitches to the cast on in multiples of 10 to the cast on in order to make a taller cowl.