Big needles, big yarn, big buttons, big drama!

Knit in easy garter stitch and the simplest of short rows (no wraps!), you can finish this cozy piece in just a few evenings. Pull it down over your shoulders and wear like a capelet, or let it pool around your neck like a giant cowl.

Yarn: 174 yds/160m of super bulky yarn. Purple, black, & tan samples were knit with 2 skeins Rowan Big Wool (87yds/80m each) in colorways Plum, Black, and Biscotti; teal sample was knit with 2 skeins Madelinetosh A.S.A.P. (90 yds/82m each) in colorway Cousteau.

Needles: US 17/12mm 24” circular needles (or straights).

Notions: 3 or 5 large buttons (1.5”/38mm)–or as many buttons as you want; darning needle for weaving in ends and seaming.

Gauge: approximately 8.5 sts = 4”/10cm in garter st

Size: Will fit all when worn as a cowl. When worn as a capelet (pulled straight down over shoulders), will fit up to 39”/99cm bust. The size is easily customizable; tips are given in pattern for making it larger. Shown on 5’3” model with 38”/96.5cm bust.

Dimensions (lying flat, buttoned, unstretched): width across neck opening: 12.5-13.5”/31.75-34.25cm; width across bottom: 20-22”/51-56cm; length: 13-14”/33-35.5cm. Note: bottom width will stretch significantly when worn.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern uses German short rows for shaping. They add a decorative touch and help keep the upper edge from flaring.
• Yarn choice and blocking will affect stretchiness of the piece. Both yarns shown are considered super bulky, but Rowan Big Wool is somewhat plumper than the superwash Madelinetosh A.S.A.P. The Tosh sample is stretchier and drapier than Big Wool version, even when unblocked. The Big Wool version has a little more structure when draped around the neck. Both versions are great, just different.
• If you want to wear as a capelet: this pattern is sized for small/medium but is easily sized up (note that for sizing up, you will need an extra ball of yarn).
• Alternatively, if you want just a little more ease and don’t want to buy an extra ball of yarn, you can knit as written and not button the bottom button(s). You can also make it bigger with an aggressive wet blocking; garter stitch is extremely stretchy when knit on giant needles.