Knitting small stranded colorwork projects is a simple and satisfying way to play with color with very little risk. So often knitters get caught up in a big project where they have to commit to colors in order to buy the yarn. This encourages us to play it safe, going with old standby colors that we know we like together. These cowl patterns encourage you to use your stash and see colors in a whole new way. Don’t have a stash? Borrow partial balls from a friend? Many people save little balls of yarn with no idea what they want to do with it. Or maybe pick up some mini-skeins from your favorite dyer? Maybe you’ll even find the color combination for your next sweater, hat or shawl.

Yarn: 20(30) yds 18.5(27.5) m aran weight yarn in each color
Gauge: 4.75 sts/in. 2.5 cm, blocked in pattern, 4.5 sts/in. 2.5 cm in stockinet stitch
Needles: US size 8 5 mm 16 in. 40.5 cm circular
Size: 21 in. 53 cm
(25.25 in. 64 cm)

Or

Yarn: 20(30) yds 18.5(27.5) m worsted weight yarn in each color
Gauge: 5.25 sts/in. 2.5 cm, blocked in pattern, 5 sts/in. 2.5 cm in stockinet stitch
Needles: US size 7 4.5 mm 16 in. 40.5 cm circular
Size: 19 in. 48 cm
(23 in. 58.5 cm) around