‘Failte’ is the Scottish Gaelic for ‘Welcome.’ In many of our towns in Scotland, you will be met by a sign on their outskirts proclaiming, ‘Ceud Mìle Fàilte,’ which means ‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!’

I have been given the honoured task of designing some knitted items to celebrate the forthcoming visit to Scotland by a group of fibre artists from the United States…The Yarny Ewes…and offer this cowl as a warm welcome to them and any others who visit us from the US.

It also celebrates that special bond that Scottish Americans share with us here in Scotland. Large scale emigration from Scotland to America began in the 1700s, accelerating after the Jacobite Uprising in 1745, the resulting breakup of the clan structures and The Highland Clearances. Many displaced Scots went in search of a better life and settled in America. That emigration has continued, with the number of Americans of Scottish descent today estimated to be 20 to 25 million.

The colour work layer and the plain-coloured stocking-stitch lining in this double-layered cowl are knitted separately. The two layers are then knitted together to join them and finished off using an I-cord bind-off technique, which gives the cowl a smooth corded edge. The colour work layer has a 3-coloured Latvian Braid border above and below the main flag design.

Some experience of stranded colour work is needed for this pattern, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.

Materials:

Twain - Olive & Two Ewe Studios (www.oliventwoewe.com) or equivalent Fingering/4Ply yarn

Actual amounts used are listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only, given that different brands (and different knitters’ tensions) may differ slightly. The yardage of the yarn used (Twain): 423m/463yds per 100g.

Bright Blue (Anchors Aweigh/Twain) 90g
Dark blue (Spirit of Freedom/Twain) 15g
White (Saltire/Twain) 30g
Red (Red Letter Day/Twain) 10g

Knitting Needles

One set of 4 double-pointed knitting needles in each of sizes 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3). You may use circular knitting needles of the same size and of length 80cm, if preferred, but you will need double-pointed needles in size 3.25mm (US 3) for the I-cord trim.

Measurements

One size fits all: Circumference 28 inches (72cm) by depth 7.5 inches (19cm)

Tension

Approximately 27 stitches and 35 rows to 10cm on the colour work pattern.
It is a good idea to check your tension and adjust your needle sizes accordingly before knitting your cowl.