Lydian is a contemporary lace cowl knitted in the round consisting of three different lace patterns—a single intertwined chevron panel flanked by yarn-over columns and then surrounded by diamond lace. The worsted weight yarn really shows off the texture of the various lace patterns and makes Lydian a quick knit as well. Since it only takes less than one skein of worsted weight and knits up quickly, Lydian is an ideal project for holiday gift giving.

I designed Lydian as a fun first lace project that teaches many different skills and techniques without being too daunting for adventuresome beginners. The lace design elements—with the strong verticals of the front panel combined with the simple diamond lace that surrounds it—were chosen specifically to enable newer knitters to more easily keep their place while using charts and to learn the invaluable skill of “reading” the knitting in order to ensure lace knitting success. I kept the size small as well, using only one skein of most worsted weight yarn, so that the project could be finished relatively quickly for immediate (or close to it) gratification and sense of accomplishment.If you can knit and purl with ease, you can make this cowl!

With Lydian, the new knitter will learn how to:

• work in the round on circular needles
• read lace charts
• work lace decreases
• bind off in pattern with twisted ribbing
• block a cowl
• weigh your yarn throughout the project in order to ensure you won’t run out

Because Lydian was conceived as a teaching pattern, there are lots of detailed instructions throughout as well as an entire page of video links that teach every aspect of knitting this cowl. Also included is a page of lace knitting tips that you can use for Lydian and beyond.

Of course, Lydian can also be knitted by experienced knitters who are looking for a pattern that is perfect for stash busting or TV knitting.

The Lydian pattern includes both charts and full written out instructions for those of you prefer not to use charts.