January is too early to start thinking about spring flowers, but as the days begin to grow longer it’s hard to help it. Even here in New Mexico the first leaves on trees and tender blooms in the flower beds are still weeks away, but there are still tiny signs of the world coming to life again – the rosemary is in bloom already, and tender shoots of hyacinths and daffodils are starting to emerge.

It may be early yet for the plants, but it’s the perfect time to plan your garden, start thinking about your spring hikes, and look forward to spending more time outdoors as the days lengthen and grow warmer. In the meantime, you’ll still need to keep warm, though, so why not knit a spring-themed cowl to warm and brighten the days ahead?

The Early Spring Cowl is very easy to knit in the round on a circular needle, and features leaf and flower motifs and corrugated ribbing at both top and bottom. The colorwork is in chart form only. This cowl with its large motifs is the perfect canvas for that gorgeous handpainted, tonal or speckled yarn that can be tricky to use in colorwork. The cowl directions are for one adult size, but it is easily adustable, both in circumference and height – information is included in the pattern for altering the size, as well as suggestions for other ways to use the design elements.

Skills required:
• Long tail cast on
• Knit and purl stitches
• Stranded color stockinette knitting
• Knitting in the round

Size: 8.5” tall, instructions given for 25.5” circumference, but both can be adjusted (Notes are given in instructions)

Yarn amounts:
• Main color – 210 yds
• Contrast color 1 (Green): 90 yds
• Contrast color 2 (Violet): 65 yds