Whenever I see the white tufts of bog cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium) growing on Irish peatlands, I feel an urge to pick them and spin them into yarn. Alas, the fibres are too delicate for spinning, but this cowl attempts to recreate their softness and subtle beauty using a more conventional yarn blend. The cowl is named after Roscommon, a county particularly rich in boglands, and uses a modified daisy stitch to create large, prominent flower shapes that are nonetheless easy on your hands during knitting. The optional crochet edging, worked in a neutral, earthy brown in the sample, gives you a chance to play with colours or use a favourite leftover yarn from your stash.

SIZES
One size.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Width: 25 cm/10 inches
Height: 16 cm/6.25 inches

YARN
MC (cowl): Lang Yarns Amira (93% cotton, 7% polyamide; 100 m/109 yds per 50 g/1.75 oz ball); colour: #933.096 ecru; ca. 160 m/175 yds ≙ 2 balls.
This yardage includes a 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4 inch swatch.
CC (edging): Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino Superfein (100% wool; 160 m/175 yds per 50 g/1.75 oz ball), held double; colour: #558 grey-brown, ca. 10 g.
You can substitute any chunky yarn for the MC. For the CC, use either a fingering/sport weight yarn held double or a worsted weight yarn held single.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below.

• 6 mm/US size 10 circular needle, ca. 40 cm/16 inches long
• stitch marker
• ca. 5 mm/US size 8 crochet hook
• tapestry needle

GAUGE
16.5 sts and 24 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in stockinette stitch (worked flat, unblocked)
19 sts and 21 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in pattern stitch (worked in the round, unblocked)
Note: The pattern gauge is included for the sake of completeness, but it is harder to measure due to variations in stitch count and where rounds begin. I recommend swatching in stockinette stitch to determine your needle size.

TECHNIQUES USED

• knit
• increases/Estonian gathered stitches (instructions included) and decreases
• knitting in the round
• single crochet (optional)