Simple stitches. Gorgeous yarn. Flexibility. Sometimes, these pleasures are just what we want from our knitting, and Rainscape offers them all. The stitch repeat is easy to memorize, the pattern works with a range of colorways, and the dimensions can be altered to suit your preference or yarn put-up. Bonus: It’s also a quick but satisfying gift knit! For a soothing knit and a highly wearable finished piece, look not further than Rainscape.

Why “Rainscape”? For the feeling it brings to mind for me: Curled in my favorite chair, WIP in hand, I watch the summer storm spatter the screen with droplets. The world outside blurs, an oddly comforting Impressionist version of its usually crisp self. While the rain drums on outside, I sit in peace, present and unhurried, nowhere to be but where I am.

Lace is both written and charted, and Rainscape has been tech edited and test knit, so you can cast on with confidence.

SIZE
Top Circumference: 25.5” / 64.5 cm
Bottom Circumference: 33” / 84 cm
Height: 17.5” / 44.5 cm
Measurements taken after firm blocking. Cowl will shrink some with wear.

YARN
Shown in Onyx Fiber Arts Silk Merino Sock (50% Merino, 50% Silk; 438 yd / 401 m per 100 g / 3.5 oz skein), 1 skein, in Esme.

To substitute another fingering-weight yarn: approximately 435 yd / 398 m. Pattern includes a note about adjusting the size to use more or less yarn if desired.

NEEDLES
US 4 / 3.5 mm 16” / 40 cm or 24” / 60 cm circular needles for working in the round, or size needed to obtain gauge

US 3 / 3.25 mm 16” / 40 cm or 24” / 60 cm circular needles for working in the round, or one size smaller than first needle size (used to decrease cowl circumference; if preferred, first needle size can be used throughout, which will require slightly more yarn)

NOTIONS
1 stitch marker, tapestry needle

GAUGE
One 18-stitch repeat of Rnds 19-30 = 3.7” / 9.5 cm wide and 1.5” / 4 cm high after blocking. Gauge is not crucial but will affect yardage used and final dimensions.

TECHNIQUES
Single and double decreases, yarn overs, knitting in the round. Pattern includes links to more information about required stitches and techniques.

Here’s how testers described Rainscape: meditative, quick, easy, fun, engaging, straightforward, interesting, stress-free, delightful, easy to memorize, rhythmic, flowing, instinctual, peaceful, a good distraction, versatile, relaxing, repetitive, rewarding, simple, elegant yet casual, addictive, soothing, fancy, cruisy, beginner-friendly, a great “go-to” cowl, “an easygoing pattern with a beautiful result,” “looks way more difficult to knit than it really is,” and “a good pattern to experiment with using different yarn weights.”

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