Metheglin by Huan-Hua Chye

Metheglin

Knitting
October 2008
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in Garter stitch, worked in the round (knit 1 round, purl 1 round)
US 8 - 5.0 mm
170 - 220 yards (155 - 201 m)
English
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From the pattern description:
Metheglin (muh-THEG-lin) is a type of wine brewed from honey, much like mead, but with added spices. The hexagons floating on the garter stitch surface of this cowl made me think of honeycomb, and the stranded colorwork makes it just a bit spicy. Worked top-down, in the round, with rolled reverse stockinette edges, it hugs the neck and flares gently out over the shoulders using increases worked into the pattern to form an elegant honeycomb collar that curves over the collarbones like a jeweled necklace.

The pattern uses less than 100 meters (110 yards)/50 grams of each color, making this a great way to showcase single skeins of precious yarn or small amounts of handspun. Go ahead and indulge in a skein of luxurious, next-to-skin soft yarn—hand-painted alpaca? Handspun, self-striping merino? Or just the odds and ends from your stash? Whatever it is, you can knit it up in no time into a cowl that shows off variegated or monochromatic colors with equal aplomb, and can be worn tucked into a coat for winter warmth without trailing scarf ends, or untucked for a fashion-forward accessory.

I like pairing variegated or semi-solid colors with a solid shade to give a stained-glass effect. While I’ve designed this pattern to use two colors, preferably a variegated MC yarn and a solid CC, a single color would work just as well. Even without contrasting colors, the texture is fascinating.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference at neck: 19 inches
Circumference at base: 32 inches
Length: 6.5 inches

MATERIALS
Purple and brown cowl was knit in Malabrigo Merino Worsted “Violetas” (approx. 100 yards) and Valley Yarns Northampton “Chestnut Heather” (approx. 70 yards)

Yellow and gray cowl was knit in Cascade Cloud 9 “Lazy
Summer” (less than 100 yards/1 skein) and di.Ve’ Zenith “Seattle Winter” (approx. 70 yards).

Pattern requires 1 16-inch US #8/5.0 mm circular needle.