Description:
The Chiefest Calamity Cowl is an easily modifiable cowl inspired by the scales of Smaug, the dragon from The Hobbit. The cowl is a tube knit fully in the round, utilizing a provisional cast-on and grafting to connect the ends. Pick your favorite color combinations and knit your own set of scales!

Finished dimensions:
Shorter version: 8.75 in (22.5 cm) width; 31.25 in (78 cm) circumference

Longer version: 8.75 in (22.5 cm) width; 62.75 in (157 cm) circumference

Needle Size: Size US 4/3.5 mm circular needles; 2 x 24 in (60 cm) circular cords

Gauge: “Scales (Light & Dark)” - 29 sts x 31 rows = 4 in (10 cm) knit in stocking stitch in the round

Amount of yarn needed:

Shorter Version:

• Main Color (MC) - 1 skein of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering or 475 yards (434 meters) OR 114 grams of a similar non-superwash fingering weight yarn Contrast Color (CC) 1 Ombre Mini Kit from Neighborhood Fiber Co. OR 2 skeins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering OR 625 yards (572 meters) or 230 g of a similar non-superwash fingering weight yarn.
• Please note: For the Shorter Version, I used half of 1 Ombre Mini Kit from Neighborhood Fiber Co for my Contrast Color. This resulted in 30 grams of each mini skein leftover, which is enough yarn in the kit to make a second Shorter
  Version of the cowl.

Longer Version:

• Main Color (MC) - 2 skeins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering OR 950 yards (870 meters) OR 230 g of a similar non-superwash fingering weight yarn Contrast Color (CC) - 1 Ombre Mini-Kit from Neighborhood Fiber Co. OR 3 skeins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering OR 1,250 yards (1,143 meters) or 340 g of a similar non-superwash fingering weight yarn
• Please note: If you would like to
  replicate the fade of the Longer
  Version using different yarn, the
  Ombre Mini Kits are made up of 5 x 60 gram mini skeins. Please ensure you
  substitute with similar amounts.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, Size 5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook (optional for provisional cast-on)

Techniques Required: Knitting with two colors in the round, provisional cast on, grafting two ends of a tube ends together

Notes:
Modifications - Modifying the fit of the cowl is simple! To make the cowl wider, add in extra chart repeats by adding in 8 more stitches across. Each repeat adds 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. To add extra length, add in extra vertical repeats. Each repeat adds 1.3 inches (3.4 cm) to the circumference.

Yarn Substitution - The Chiefest Calamity Cowl is knit out of singly ply, non-superwash merino. This yarn is grippy while remaining next to skin soft, making it an excellent choice for a colorwork cowl designed to sit close to the face.

Any similar, singly ply non-superwash merino will work as a substitution. You can also substitute with a fingering weight non-superwash merino with a different ply or a fingering weight yarn made from a different breed of wool. Just be aware that your finished object may feel or behave differently.

You can also substitute with superwash yarns, but be aware that your finished object and knitting experience may vary. The silkier texture of superwash may also make fixing any potential mistakes difficult as the yarn slips more easily. If you’re new to colorwork, I highly suggest sticking with a grippier, rustic, non-superwash wool.

Accessibility Notes:
When you buy this pattern, you will receive three PDFs: 2 different version of the pattern and a pdf of each chart in large format.

Version 1 is formatted with tables, charts, and written instructions.

Version 2 is a LOW VISION ACCESSIBLE version (details below)

BOTH ARE INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE!

The Low Vision Accessible version of this pattern includes:

• 24 point font size sans serif font (Arial).
• All black text, no italics used.
• Bold is used instead.
• All directions are fully written out. While charts are included in a separate PDF, they are NOT required to knit this pattern!
• Single column text throughout.
• One inch margins.
• Left justified text.
• No information (other than left justified page numbers) in the header or footer.
• No scanned PDFs.
• No tables.
• All repeated rows are written out and stay sequential.