I love cabled sweaters (I may have mentioned that), and I have a deep fondness for hats, but the more I knit and really live with my handknits, the more I think the cowl may be the perfect knitted item. Quick enough to be incredibly gratifying, these small canvases give us a chance to test out new yarns and techniques, often on yarns that might be “too special” to use in a garment project. Their construction is straightforward, but with numerous possible variations, providing another avenue for experimentation. But more than all that, cowls are so very practical, especially for those of us in more temperate climates where a giant scarf may be overkill and hats are rarely truly necessary. They keep you just warm enough, they give you a chance to add a pop of color or texture to your transition-season wardrobe, and, if you work out the sizing right, they’re small enough to throw in your handbag. Skaggs Island is another exploration of just that sort of cowl—big enough to drape gracefully but small enough to consume a manageable amount of yarn, textured enough to keep things interesting but not so much that it creates stiffness where you don’t want it around your neck. It is also an ode to a wonderful new yarn I was fortunate enough to try this year: Sincere Sheep’s new Covet, a blend of California-sourced Alpaca and Rambouillet, blended with a small amount of silk and dyed in a stunning array of plant-based colors. The cables pop off the canvas just enough, thanks to the Rambouillet’s crimp and structure, while the alpaca and silk add drape, sheen, and incredible softness. This is knitting you can relax into, and enjoy the chance to try something new in a managably-sized chunk. So go ahead, pull out that skein you’ve been wondering what to do with. Within a weekend or a well-timed Netflix binge, you’ll have this practical, luxe cowl to keep you warm all winter long.

Size
One size; 28.5” / 72.5 cm at base, 25” / 63.5 cm at top by 10” / 25 cm tall.

Yarn
Sincere Sheep Covet (60% California-sourced Rambouillet, 25% California-sourced Alpaca, 15% silk), 2 skeins, or 300 yards / 275 meters meters heavy DK or light worsted yarn, preferably in a wool or wool-blend. Sample shown in “Anja.”

Gauge
27 sts and 28 rounds over 4” / 10 cm in cable pattern as charted, after blocking.

Needles
32” / 80 cm or longer circular needle in size US 6 (4.00 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions
Tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), cable needle (optional).

Skills Required
Decreasing; knitting in the round; sewn bind-off (instructions provided); cabling with or without a cable needle.