This is a free pattern of my charity pattern set Kate with matching hat and mitts, where 100% of all pattern revenue will be donated to “Equality Now”

Onesize: Adult

Finished measurements after blocking: 25 cm 9¾“ single width x 24 cm 9¾“ height

Yarn: 1 strand of Lamana Como tweed (120 m 131 yd per 25 gr 0,9 oz), fingering-weight yarn (100% Merino wool); 2 balls
Held together with 1 strand of Lamana Premia (300 m 328 yd per 25 gr 0,9 oz), lace-weight yarn (60% Mohair, 40% Silk); 1 ball
Sample is knit in 1 strand Lamana Como tweed, T42 Hellgrau colorway held together with 1 strand of Lamana Premia, 05 Silbergrau colorway.

Needles: 3,25mm/US3 and 3,00mm/US2.5 for your preferred method of working circumferences in the round or needle size to obtain gauge.

Blocked gauge: 22 sts and 29 rows = 10 cm 4” in stockinette st with larger needles (or needle size to obtain gauge) with 2 strands of yarn held together

Notions: stitch marker, waste yarn, tapestry needle

Difficulty rating: easy

Construction notes: The Kate Cowl is cabled, with a double rib band for extra comfort and warm neck. Small cables run up the garment in zigzag, broken by simple rib columns. There are two versions to choose from for extra warmth and recommendations for size adjustment and more snug fit. The Kate cowl is knit double stranded with one strand of a durable warm wool, and the second strand a luxurious silk mohair blend to add some luxury and sheen to your everyday wearable item. It goes perfectly with the matching Kate hat and Kate mitts.

Inspiration: Inspiration for this pattern came from Kate Sheppard. Kate Sheppard (10 March 1848 – 13 July 1934) was the most prominent member of the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand and the country’s most famous suffragist.
Kate promoted women’s suffrage by organizing petitions and public meetings, by writing letters to the press, and by developing contacts with politicians. She was the editor of The White Ribbon, the first woman-operated newspaper in New Zealand. Her amazing work culminated in a petition with over 30,000 signatures calling for women’s suffrage that was presented to parliament and which in its extent couldn’t be longer ignored. Kate’s work resulted in the successful extension of the franchise to women in 1893.
And with that, New Zealand had become the first country in which all women exercised the right to vote!

A country’s laws set the tone for how they treat their people and how their society treats each other.
When I read about Kate and looked at what I see in the news, in some countries, in micro aggressions in our society, it was crystal clear to me:

Just like Kate, I want to stand up for female rights!

First and foremost, the right to vote – to influence political discussions with a female way of thinking, to direct towards female needs and aspirations, to make way for strong female leaders, to criminalize and call out violence and discrimination against girls and women.
But how could I support?

Kate said, that each little drop, every little action mattered.
I might not be suited to run campaigns or be a politician – but I can do what I love and help.
I can write a set of patterns. And I can commit to this cause.
This is the reason, why 100% of this pattern’s revenue will directly go to “Equality Now”, an international charity organization that fights for a just world for women and girls. And as I am well aware that some knitters do have to look more careful on the money side of things than others, this cowl pattern is free to support those who need it.

From my heart: thank YOU lovely fellow knitter for supporting this project!
I dearly hope, that this woolly project keeps you warm during the cold season.
It surely warms my heart!