The stitch pattern for this tall, slouchy cowl has the unimaginative name of “pair of leaves”, but my eyes see honeybees! A vibrant color, a touch of mesh lace, and a sprinkling of pretty beads help to complete the whimsical picture. The loose style works great for transitional seasons, when you want to wear your knitting but don’t need the bulk of a scarf.

This project is a great introduction to adding beads with the crochet hook method — you only have to commit to a few dozen, not hundreds! A beading neophyte myself, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. (Of course, the beads are completely optional.)

This pattern contains both fully charted and written instructions.

Recommended Yarn:
Marianated Yarns Scrumptious, one skein — 80% superwash merino / 10% cashmere / 10% nylon — 435 yds (398 m) to 100 g. Shown in colorway Walking on Sunshine. Cowl shown used approximately 400 yards (365 m) of fingering weight yarn.

Sizing:
15” (38 cm) high and 26” (66 cm) around, but repeats can be easily added or subtracted. I suggest weighing how much yarn you use for the beginning ribbing, and also how much you use for a main body repeat (rounds 7-16 of the chart), to help you know if you’ll be able to finish the full number of repeats and the top ribbing.

Gauge:
28 sts and 35 rows in 4” in stockinette, centered over honeybee motif.

Needles:
US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 24”

PLEASE NOTE: Changes in gauge will affect finished size, look of motifs, and amount of yarn used. To meet these dimensions, be sure to use needle size that gives gauge.

Other Materials:

• 6 stitch markers (one different to indicate beg. of round)
• at least 66 size 6/0 (4 mm) seed beads,
• crochet hook small enough for beading (I used a US 11/12—1 mm)
• tapestry needle

Skills Needed:
Knitting in the round, lace increases and decreases, placing beads with a crochet hook

Many thanks to the wonderful knitters who tested and looked over this pattern, and to Marianated Yarns for her support!