This pattern is included in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long!
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Please feel free to use coupon code GIFTALONG2024 to receive 25% off any patterns included in the sale, including this pattern.

This cowl was inspired by the short story, Axolotl. written by the Argentine-French writer Julio Cortazar, while there are many interpretations, and proposed readings of the story - for me the author’s depiction of the axolotl embodies an escape from feelings of loneliness and isolation, through dissociation with his body and mind, the journey of transformation, embodied through beautiful metaphorical writing.

There is a quote by Virgil Abloh that states, “Art is made in hindsight.”

What I love about art, literature, music is how much it can teach us about life, that at times it puts our desires, struggles, and vices on display, but often not to taunt us – but rather to teach us. It lets us see ourselves as we really are and gives us the freedom to decide how we wish to move forward. For me, its these moments that allows me to experience and appreciate how amazing our world is – how much freedom it offers us, and the depth of wisdom that exists within the human experience if we wish to see it.

Therefore, for me, this piece is about the transformational power of acceptance. That self-love is the willingness to see yourself exactly the way you are, not to judge yourself for it, but rather to accept who you are and where you are in life. That true change is not about trying to make yourself, or your life, look better, but rather emerges from the willingness to see your own humanity, your own weaknesses, and to realize that moving forward is about knowing you can make another choice, about recognizing who you truly are and moving towards becoming the person your heart truly desires to be.

Materials:
• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• One 3.75mm / US size 5 circular needle, 60cm / 24” in length, or one size smaller than needed to meet the required gauge.
• Stitch markers (2), optional, one of which is used to mark the beginning of round.
• Tapestry needle for sewing in threads.
• Blocking materials.
• Worsted weight yarn in two colours, approximately 152m (192m, 227m) / 166yds (210yds, 248yds) of the Main Colour and approximately 95m (105m, 126m) / 104yds (115yds, 138yds) of the Contrast Colour. The sample is shown in the size 1 and is worked in Malabrigo Rios - 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 192m / 210yds per 100g, in colourways Jupiter (Main Colour) and Melon (Contrast Colour).

Size:
Three sizes: 1 (2, 3): The cowl measures 57cm (65cm, 72cm) / 22.5” (26”, 28.5) in circumference and 36cm / 14” in height.

Gauge:
22 stitches and 24 rows = 10cm / 4” in stranded knitting, worked with larger needles in the round and blocked.