Named for a tulip variety, the Fosteriana Cowl is a spring colorwork project for the adventurous knitter. Clever increases and cables create the tulip shape, and the stems may be duplicate stitched at the end. Instructions are included to create a whimsical bee, which is sniffing the flowers.

Level: Advanced. This pattern calls for working stranded colorwork and cables simultaneously. At times, three colors of yarn are held. As always, fully written instructions are included, along with a chart. In an effort to make the pattern accessible to ambitious intermediate knitters, there are videos of the more complicated techniques. In the way of minimum skills needed, I recommend knowing how to knit stranded colorwork OR how to cable before attempting this project.

Purchase also includes a low vision file with 22 point san serif font and enlarged charts and keys.

Sizing:
Knitters may choose from six sizes. 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6) are a circumference of 18.25 (20.5, 22.75, 25.25) (27.5, 29.75) inches or 46.5 (52.5, 58, 64) (69.5, 75.5) centimeters. Recommended ease is negative 2” (5cm) and up to 4” (10.2cm) of positive ease. All sizes are 8” (20.3cm) long.

Yarn:
Main Color: 180 (195, 215, 230) (250, 265) yards or 165 (180, 195, 210) (230, 245) meters.

Contrast Color A (Tulip Outline): 80 (85, 90, 95) (105, 110) yards, or 75 (80, 85, 90) (95, 100) meters.

Contrast Color B (Tulip Shading): 75 (80, 85, 90) (95, 100) yards, or 70 (75, 80, 85) (90, 95) meters.

Contrast Color C (Stems): 15 (15, 15, 20) (20, 20) yards, or 15 (15, 15, 15) (20, 20) meters.

• To knit the bee: Approximately 5 yards/meters each of a bee body color, bee stripe color, and bee wings in a 4-ply yarn.

Recommended Yarn: John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers 4 ply. Sample utilizes KBN97 (MC), KBN130 (CCA), KBN132 (CCB), KBN56 (CCC), KBN 110 (bee body), KBN07 (stripes) and KBN55 (wings).

Gauge:
Stockinette: 28 sts and 39 rounds in 4” (10.2cm)
Motif: One motif repeat is 2.25” (5.8cm) wide and approximately 2” (5cm) tall.

Note: Yarn amounts given include enough yarn to make a swatch with 13 rounds of stockinette and three repetitions of the motif in the MC, CCA, and CCB. 

Needles:
US 2 (2.75mm) for Rounds 5-15.
US 2.5 (3.0mm) for ribbing.
US 3 (3.25mm) for body.
Some knitters may need to size up, and some may need to size down, to maintain gauge.
All needles are circular needles. Length should correspond to the cowl circumference. Double pointed needles may also be used.

Notions:
Cable needle Tapestry needle
Stitch markers