Happy New Year!

Near the end of last year I was considering design and what it meant to me and in that moment I realized that I would do this as long as I could, I would work to support my opportunity to create because this is what brings meaning to my life, it’s a gift to have this freedom to express myself, as a race we have worked so hard, so many people have given their lives for this freedom - the fact that I make something, that I can express what moves me, what I love about the world and its creations, is a gift beyond measure - and one that I appreciate beyond words, it is what brings meaning and a sense of purpose to my life, this is what makes me feel happy to be alive… so what matters to me more than anything is that I have this freedom to use my Voice through yarn, through words or through any medium that speaks to me. And while this is important and meaningful, there is something else, just as important I’d like to address this year, and that is a very special class of people, I’m going to call benefactors, these are the people who support you, not necessarily because they like the design, but because they want to support you and what you do… To me, these are the true heroes of the art world, they are the ones who create opportunities. These people change lives, and often go unnoticed and unrecognized… This pattern is for the world’s benefactors, and test knitters, those behind the scenes people who give so much of themselves for others - these are the people that make the world a magical place, and I salute them for all that they do.

Relationship is about what you can do together, Artists are valued, because they inspire us, they bring light into the world, they help move us forward by demonstrating the courage and determination to accept and move beyond their suffering… but the benefactors, the makers - they are the key that makes it all possible. Thank you…

Size:
Two sizes: 1 (2). The cowl measures 57cm (68.5cm) / 22.5” (27”) in circumference and 26cm / 10” in height.

Materials:
• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• 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 in two colours, approximately 135m (164m) / 148yds (179yds) of the Main Colour and approximately 85m (110m) / 93yds (120yds) of the Contrast Colour. The sample is shown in the smaller size and is knitted in Yama Yarns Merino Linen Worsted - 90% merino wool, 10% linen, 180m / 197yds per 100g, in colourways Cosmic Grape (Main Colour) and Conebush (Contrast Colour).

Gauge:
21 stitches and 24 rows = 10cm / 4” in stranded knitting, knitted in the round, and blocked.