The Reindeer Parade is knit in the round from the top down, utilizing corrugated ribbing and cable colorwork. If you have knit colorwork, but never tried cables, or tried cables, but never knit colorwork, I’ve done by best to make this pattern accessible for you: the pattern features video tutorials that explain how to work the cables both with and without a cable needle, instructions on working a variety of special techniques, and fully written instructions in addition to the chart. There is even a section on how to knit the swatch.

Purchase includes a low vision file in 22pt san serif font. The chart on the low vision file has been blown up for better visibility, which is also helpful for viewing the pattern via your phone.

Level: Intermediate.

Sizing: 1 (2, 3, 4) are a circumference of 18 (20.5, 23, 25.5) inches or 45.5 (52, 58.5, 65) centimeters. Measure your head circumference and look for the size that is the closest match. Consider the desired ease in pulling over the head. The recommended ease is negative 2” (5cm) for a fitted cowl, and up to positive 4” (10.2cm) of positive ease for a loose cowl. Sizes 1 and 2 are 7” (18cm) long; sizes 3 and 4 are 9” (23cm) long.

Get creative: The top and bottom may be seamed, and the project stuffed to create a holiday pillow. Alternatively, use the motif for a top down stocking or on the body of a sweater.

Yarn:
Main Color: 145 (155, 170, 185) yards or 135 (145, 155, 170) meters for background.

Contrast Color A: 90 (100, 105, 115) yards or 85 (90, 100, 105) meters for antlers and ribbing contrast.

Contrast Color B: 60 (65, 70, 75) yards or 55 (60, 65, 70) meters for reindeer fur.

Contrast Color C: 15 (15, 15, 15) yards or 10 (10, 15, 15) meters for eyes and noses.

Contrast Color D. 50 (55, 60, 65) yards or 45 (50, 55, 60) meters for ribbing contrast.

Recommended Yarn: De Rerum Natura Ulysse, a rustic, non-superwash, sport weight merino. Though 202 yards (185 meters) in 50g grams brings to mind sock weight yarn, the sample yarn knits up as sport weight. The sample uses Forêt for the MC, Poivre et Sel for CCA, Poivre for CCB Cacao for CCC, and Pavot for CCD.

Gauge:
25 sts and 33 rounds over a 4 x 4 inch (10.2cm) area of the blocked and finished cowl. Note: One repeat is 2.5” (6.5cm) wide and 5.5” (14cm) tall.

Needles:

US 2.5 (3.0 mm) for ribbing.
US 4 (3.5mm) for non-colorwork rounds in sizes 3 and 4 only.
US 5 (3.75mm) for cable colorwork. Or size needed to maintain gauge. Some knitters may need to size up further to maintain gauge.

All needles are circular needles. Length should correspond to the cowl circumference. Double pointed needles may also be used.

Notions:
Cable needle Color Catcher Tapestry needle
Stitch markers To avoid mistakes, I recommend using stitch markers to mark each repeat.

Video Tutorials Include:
1/1 cables with and without cable needle
2/1 cables with and without cable needle
2/2 cables with and without cable needle
Two pass knitting
Color dominance
Fixing cabling mistakes
Duplicate cable stitches (for mistakes and embellishment)

Use #reindeerparadecowl to share your work on social media. As always, handmade sellers are welcome to make to sell.