In the woods west of Concord, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1851, Henry David Thoreau discovered an unusual fern – the only fern species in New England that twines like a vine.

This cowl is a nod to Thoreau’s discovery. Its biased lace panels mimic a climbing fern and wind their way up the cowl.

Instructions for four different sizes – approximately two inches separating each size - as well as three different yarn weights are provided. The smallest size has very little slouch and fits more like a turtleneck. As the sizes increase, so does the slouch.

If your yarn has a good deal of drape, your cowl may “grow” with wear so a smaller than average option is included.

Gauge is not generally an issue with an accessory such as a scarf, shawl, or cowl. And so that is the case with this pattern. However, stitch counts were calculated using the gauge and final sizes listed. So, if you knit tighter than the gauge associated with your yarn weight, you may want to go up to the next size.

The yarn requirement above is an estimate. Though this pattern has been test-knitted, all twelve combinations of yarn weight and pattern size were not. The yarn lengths given in the pattern are adequate for the ex-sm and small sizes, however, more yarn may be needed for the largest two sizes.

Should you encounter any problems, please notify me so I can make corrections to the pattern.