“I should say that, in addition to my tree-love …, it arose from my own pre-occupation with the Lord of the Rings, the knowledge that it would be finished in great detail or not at all, and the fear (near certainty) that it would be ‘not at all’…”

-- J.R.R. Tolkien in a letter to Caroline Everett, June 1957, about his short story “Leaf, by Niggle.”

Inspired by Tolkien’s own sketches and doodles of leaf shapes, and by wallpaper patterns from the Art Deco era of Tolkien’s youth, Leaf by Niggle is a double-knitted cowl that closely hugs the neck and rises up to close any gap between the back of a coat collar and a hat. It makes an ideal gaiter for outdoor sports enthusiasts, or for anyone who spends time outdoors in winter.

The pattern can be adjusted into a more traditionally loose-fitting cowl by adding an additional repeat section. The pattern can also be made taller; both of these adjustments will increase the amount of yarn needed, by 25% and 33% respectively, so bear that in mind.

The pattern is written for sport weight yarn, but substitutions of heavy fingering or light DK will also result in a satisfactory product.

This pattern is not a tutorial for learning to double-knit.

Materials Needed:

• @130 yards each in 2 colours of sport weight yarn
• 3.5mm (US size 4) 40cm (16”) circular needle or size needed for gauge
• end/start round stitch marker
• 3 (or more) additional stitch markers to mark repeats

Gauge: 19 cells (facing stitches in double knitted fabric) by 30 rows = 10cm (4”)