The Never Knit Before Cowl is attractive, soft, snuggly and squidgy, and the pattern is aimed at people who want to learn to knit. (Though if you’re an advanced knitter, how about taking a break from fair-isle, lace and entrelac for a return trip into the relaxing world of garter stitch. So easy to knit in front of the TV!)

The cowl is 17cm wide and around 110cm long, which is long enough to go twice around the neck.

For a seasoned knitter, the pattern is this:

• Use 6.5mm needles and 4 balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky, or a chunky yarn of your choice and appropriate needles.
• Cast on 26 stitches
• Knit every row (garter stitch) until the yarn nearly runs out
• Cast off
• Join the ends

However, if you want to learn to knit, the downloadable pdf explains the following, with plenty of pictures:

• Gauge
• Casting on (slip knot and cable cast on)
• The Knit stitch
• Joining in a new ball in the middle of the row
• Casting off
• Joining the ends by over-sewing

There is also a page on what to do if things go wrong, including:

• How you get holes in your knitting and mistakenly increase the number of stitches on the needle
• How to safely unravel to a point before a mistake
• Transferring stitches from one needle to another without twisting
• What to do if stitches come off the needle
• Fixing twisted stitches while knitting the row

Video tutorials are also available on muddysheep.com

The pattern, yarn and needles are available as a kit (Christmas present?) from my Etsy shop

Any questions? Get in touch via support@muddysheep.com, I’d love to hear from you.