This is the second in my series of Inner Geek cowls.

On the outside, designs inspired by traditional motifs, suitable for even the most conservative environments—work, grandmother’s house, church…

On the inside, images inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth—a round hobbit door, the Lonely Mountain, Smaug, the Black Arrow, the One Ring, Mount Doom, the All-seeing Eye, the Blade that was Broken, and more—to wear when you really want to let your inner geek fly free!

Instructions for both a worsted weight and a sock weight version are included in this pattern as well as 2 different options for the outer motif.

Finished measurements:
Worsted version: 27” x 9”
Sock-weight version: 24” x 7”

Yarns used: Wool-ease worsted in Loden (1 ball), Gold (1 ball), Mink Brown (1 ball) & Natural Heather (1 ball)
KnitPicks Stroll in Forest Heather (1 ball), Dandelion (1 ball), Fedora (1 ball) & White (1 ball)

Or
In worsted: ~110 yards each for CC1 and MC2
and ~130 yards for MC1 and CC2
In sock-weight: ~140 yards each for CC1 and MC2
and ~160 yards for MC1 and CC2

Gauge:
Worsted version: 19 sts & 21 rows = 4”
Sock-weight version: 23sts & 28 rows = 4”

Notions:
Worsted Version: 1 US sz 8 circular needle, 16” or 24”
Sock-weight version: 1 US sz 4 circular needle, 16” or 24”

Both versions: 1 circular needle longer than 24” and the same size or smaller than the working needle; waste yarn for provisional cast on, tapestry needle, stitch markers

Notes:

This cowl is worked in the round from a provisional cast-on. The cast-on is removed after the knitting is done, and the ends are kitchener-stitched together.

When working stranded colorwork, it’s often helpful to knit on needles a size or two larger than you normally would to help keep things from getting too tight.

This cowl can be customized to a longer length by adding additional pattern repeats. Larger cowls will require more yarn.

<small>Please don’t use this pattern for commercial purposes. Items made from this pattern are for personal use only. Thanks! ❤<small>