“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

In keeping with Mr. Stevenson’s poem of the same name and sentiment, I offer this – my Happy Thought cowl – a cozy garter stitch collar with a sparkle of buttons for fastening snugly. This sculptural piece, spawned from the collar of Brooklyn2, is worked flat, top-down, fitting close at the neckline and gradually increasing towards its base at the shoulders. Play with color, yarn, and buttons – you’ll find this to be a quick, satisfying, stash-busting project with lots of possibilities. I’ve worked out 3 with gauge variations to get you started. Enjoy!

VERSION 1 (blue)
MATERIALS
Yarn
Shown in Osprey wool by Quince & Co. (100% wool; 170 yds per 100g skein); color – Delft #108; 2 skeins, or for comparable yarn, approximately 295 yds/ 270 m.
Needles
US9 / 5.5mm or size to obtain gauge
• 1 24”/ 60 cm circular
Notions
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• (3) 23-25mm buttons (25mm shown)

GAUGE
18.4 sts and 38 rows = 4”/ 10.2 cm in Garter stitch

VERSION 2 (yellow)
MATERIALS
Yarn
Shown in Moonshine by Juniper Moon Farm (40% alpaca, 40% wool, 20% silk; 197 yds per 100g skein); color – Sun Haze #30; 2 skeins, or for comparable yarn, approximately 325 yds/ 298 m.
Needles
US7 / 4.5mm or size to obtain gauge
• 24”/ 60 cm circular
Notions
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• (3) 23-25mm buttons (25mm shown)

GAUGE
20 sts and 40 rows = 4”/ 10.2 cm in Garter stitch

VERSION 3 (white)
MATERIALS
Yarn
Shown in Owl by Quince & Co. (50% American Wool, 50% American Alpaca; 120 yds per 50g skein); color – Snowy #300; 3 skeins, or for comparable yarn, approximately 265 yds/ 245 m.
Needles
US7 / 4.5mm or size to obtain gauge
• 24”/ 60 cm circular
Notions
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• (4) 21mm buttons

GAUGE
19 sts and 40 rows = 4”/ 10.2 cm in Garter stitch