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Knitting offers many simple pleasures. Three of my favourites are the fun of seeing how variegated colourways behave in a textured stitch pattern; the satisfaction of creating fabric that moulds itself to a human body; and the double hit of seeing that shaping form strong visual effects.

Like the matching Wraparound Mitts, this cowl offers all three. The slip-stitch broken rib works up fast and plays well with hand-dyes, while the angles created by wrapping those slip-stitch columns around your neck also ensure the cowl dips down just enough in front and back and sits perfectly over your shoulders.

While most of the knitting is straightforward, the pattern also includes tutorials for the unusual Chinese waitress cast-on and I-cord cast-off (plus how to kitchener that I-cord edge closed!). It’s a fast, fun skills builder and a great gift knit.

The three sizes measure 40 (45, 50) cm / 16 (18, 20) in, to fit from child to adult with around 10cm / 4in of ease. If you have more yarn available and want a bit more fabric, I recommend making the large size and adding extra height, rather than extra girth, as the fabric isn’t particularly drapey, but will fold attractively under the chin.

A number of people have found it also works great worn as a headband, turned so that the downward dips cover the ears!

Thank you to my tech editor, Kate Atherley, and my wonderful testers.