A ‘high vis’ vest, ordinarily is worn by people who need to be highly visible. Think road crews and construction. This is the knitters’ version of ‘high vis’. Bold, bright vertical and horizontal stripes, interspersed with solid blocks of colour to grab attention.
The pattern is suitable for a confident beginner, who is willing to try a provisional cast on and grafting at the end. It is also an enjoyable engaging knit for more experienced knitters. The vertical stripes are achieved by slipping stitches, so you only ever work one colour at a time.
The pattern includes a cowl version (pictured) and a scarf version, with links to video tutorials for the techniques used, and offers an alternative to Kitchener stitch for grafting the cowl when you are finished.

Gauge: 21.5 stitches per 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch on main needles before blocking AND gauge 21.5-22 stitches per 10 cm (4 inches) on the slipped stitch sections using your larger needles before blocking.
Gauge in stocking stitch is not critical. Choose a needle size that gives you a nice fabric. Note that gauge differences will affect yarn usage and overall size of your cowl. The important thing is for your gauge in the slipped stitch sections to be close to the stocking stitch gauge. In the sample, the gauge in this section was 22 per 10cm.

Finished dimensions after blocking: Approx. 145/175 cm long (57/69 inches) for cowl/scarf and 17 cm (6.75 inches) diameter tube.

Supplies:
Two colours of next-to-skin soft dk weight yarn with high contrast between them. For the cowl, allow a minimum of 400m (440 yards) for your main colour (MC) and 200m (220 yards) for your contrast colour (C1). ). For the scarf, allow an additional 80m (88 yards) of MC and 40m (44 yards) of C1. The pattern pops best in solid colours. It could look fantastic using leftovers, with a different contrast colour for each set of stripes.
4.5 mm (US 7) (or size to meet gauge) circular needles long enough for magic loop AND a 6mm (US 10) circular needle (or a needle at least 3 sizes larger as needed to match your gauge in stocking stitch).
A spare circular needle for the cast off the same size as your main needle.
Sewing up needle.
One marker for the beginning of the round (optional).
4.5 mm crochet hook (optional) for a crochet provisional cast on and for Russian grafting.
Smooth waste yarn.