Kushiro is a warm and elegant cowl knitted with wool, or wool and silk. I’ve named this design for Kushiro Shitsugen, a national park in Japan where you can observe wild Japanese cranes.

Kushiro’s motifs are inspired by traditional Japanese art and the crane feathers are decorated with Miyuki seed beads. The cowl is double-knitted in the round on circular needles with fingering-weight yarn in contrasting colors. This pattern uses three keyed charts, one of which is beaded on either one side or both sides. Bonus materials include tips for knitters new to double-knitting, information about finding and repairing errors in your double-knitting, a bit about silk and knitting with silk, and step-by-step instructions for my favorite beading technique.

You’ll need 70 - 100 grams of yarn for your background color and another equal amount (collectively) of one or more colors for your designs. You’ll also need 105 “6/0” Miyuki glass beads (if beading one side only) or 210 glass beads (if beading both sides, a bit of beading wire, and circular knitting needles. A tapestry needle for weaving in any ends and a crochet hook for catching dropped stitches are useful.

My pattern assumes you know how to cast on and bind off, knit and purl, and follow a chart in the round. I recommend having some double-knitting experience.

I strive to create unique designs and to provide accurate and complete instructions. I’ve included my email at the end of the instructions and you’re welcome to contact me if you need help with the pattern.