Marian (the dyer behind Marianated Yarns) and I share a love of pop culture and 80s kitsch. When she told me that she wanted to put together a colorway with the working title of “Ode to John Cusack,” I knew I wanted in. Together, we developed a mixed gradient set with both a strong callback to the 80s and a contemporary appeal — I love the vibrant result. We paired it with two shades of dusty blue in this cowl as a loving nod to the era’s stonewashed denim. The slip-stitch patterning is both easy and addictive, and the yardage in the two skeins and gradient set is enough for both the cowl and the Say Anything Hat (available together as the Say Anything Set).

This pattern contains both fully charted and written instructions.

Through the end of June 2022, you’ll receive a digital code for the hat/cowl set when you purchase the yarn at Marianated Yarns!

Recommended Yarn:
Marianated Yarns Jujubee DK Minis, one set — 100% superwash merino — 300 yds (274 m) total per 120 g set. Each individual Jujubee is 50 yds (46 m) per 20 g. Shown in colorway Say Anything. Cowl uses approx. 42 yds (38 m) of the first Jujubee and 30 yds (27 m) of the second - sixth Jujubees.

Marianated Yarns Playtime DK — 100% superwash merino — 274 yds (251 m) per 100 g, one skein each of both colors. Shown in colorway Moon Rock (darker blue) and Stone Basin (lighter blue). Cowl uses approximately 135 yds (123 m) of Moon Rock (Ribbing Color) and 165 yds (151 m) of Stone Basin

Sizing:
30” (76 cm) around base and 26” (66 cm) around body, 15” (38 cm) high.

Blocked Gauge:
24 sts and 38 rounds to 4” (10 cm) in Body Pattern, 27 sts and 44 rounds to 4” (10 cm) in Base Ribbing Pattern, both knit in the round.

PLEASE NOTE: I knit the sample with a US 5 (3.75 mm) needle, but I knit fairly tightly. To meet given dimensions and ensure enough yarn, use needle size that gives gauge. Changes in gauge will affect finished size, look of motifs, and amount of yarn used.

Needles:
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 24” (60 cm) length.

Other Materials:
One stitch marker, tapestry needle.

Many thanks to Marian of Marianated Yarns for her support! This pattern was professionally tech edited by Lisa Beth Houchins (Meanest Mommy Knits).