Wrapdown as you count down to the festive season, or not. While this pattern is designed so you can use a 24 mini skein countdown calendar you by no means have to, there are lots of options (see variations). Or make a cowl if you prefer.

It has been another rather challenging year I wanted a pattern that was very simple and relaxing to knit, so it was easy to finish in a day. The fun is in choosing which variation you want to do that day. Remember you do not have to finish a section a day, enjoy your knitting and do what works for you.

The Wrap ideas and variations

• Has 24 sections with a contrast colour in-between each section.
• Use an advent/count down calendar minis, or minis from your own stash to make each section a different colour. (10g, 15g or 20g) My example is made using 10g mini skeins, if you use 15 or 20g it will affect your overall length.
• You have the option to make the wrap wider if you use 15g or 20g. The pattern works with any multiple of 2, I have suggested casting on 144 stitches if using 10g mini skeins for the wrap. You can go up or down with your stitch count as long as you have a multiple of 2
• Use a single main colour for all 24 sections and contrast colour for your bands in-between You will then just need the equivalent grams of yarn. 24 x 10g = 240g. Plus 130g of the contrast yarn, for the in-between sections for the wrap. I suggest wind off the 10g minis so you know how long to make each section, or weigh your yarn during the first sections to see how many rows you do using 10g.
• Make less or more than 24 sections if you want a shorter or longer wrap.
• In each section, you get to pick between doing garter stitch or stocking stitch. For example, you can do all the sections in garter stitch as I did for my example. Or you can do all the plain knitting sections in stocking stitch and the eyelets in garter. Or you can do all both pattern sections in stocking stitch and work the contrast bands in garter stitch. Or you can alternate the plain section and eyelet section first in garter and then in stocking stitch. Or throw caution to the wind and make it up as you go along with no set pattern.

In my sample version, I picked to use only garter stitch through the whole wrap to make it easy and very squishy and snuggly

Cowl

• The pattern for the cowl would suit 5g mini skeins and does not use contrast colour bands just 24 5g minis.
• Use a single colour, self-stripe or variegated yarn if you don’t want to use mini skeins. You will need 120-150g. After the ribbing weigh your yarn, knit the first section, weighing your yarn regularly so you know when you have used about 5g, this will let you know when it is time to change to the next section. (approximately 8 rounds) count how many rounds you did and then you can carry on doing each section for that number of rounds and you won’t need to weigh your yarn again until the end. Leave 5g for the ribbing at the top.
• 12 10g minis would also work very well in the cowl
• Again, choose either garter or stocking stitch for the plain and eyelet sections

Materials

Needles
3.5mm / US 4 at least 80cm / 30” long (cowl)
4mm / US 6 at least 80cm / 30” long (wrap)

Yarn
For the Wrap: 24 sock / fingering weight mini skeins, you can use 10g, 15g or 20g
130g sock weight in a neutral colour for between your sections. I am using a light grey Cascade Heritage, but any sock weight single colour skein will work
For the Cowl: 24 sock / fingering weight mini skeins 5g or 10g

Gauge
20 stitches and 38 rows over 10cm/4” garter stitch knitted flat, blocked
(gauge is just an indication, the yarns and yardages might all be a bit different)

Sizes
The size will vary a bit depending on the yardage of the mini skeins you have and which stitch pattern you choose, garter is squishier and so contracts for a slightly shorter overall length, if you choose more stocking stitch your wrap may be longer. These are my finished measurements using various mixed mini skeins.

Width 42cm, length 227cm (wrap)