Kriskrafter: March 2014

I am always cold. My husband says it's because I "have no heart" ha! I like to wear turtlenecks but like a little extra around my neck and on my shoulders. I wanted to make something that was a cross between a cowl and a shawl. Below is my "Soft Shoulder Cowl". I am now making my second one because I have worn the 1st one three days in a row! I don't know if anyone else will like my crossbreed but hope you do. Enjoy!

*To download or print the pattern just scroll down past the photos and click on the link.

Size S/M Materials & Gauge Size L Materials & Gauge

Aran weight yarn, approx 327 yds                               Worsted weight yarn, approx 350 yds
Size 8 (5mm) circular needle                                        Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle
(needle length 20 or 24")                                              (needle length 20 or 24")
4 stitch markers 4 stitch markers
Gauge: 16 sts & 22 rows = 4" in Stst    Gauge: 15 sts & 24 rows = 4" in Stst

Abbreviations:

K=knit
P=Purl
CO=cast on
PM = Place marker
Slm = slip marker
rep = rep
sts = stitches
KRL = Knit Right Loop
KLL = Knit Left Loop
Stst = Stockinette Stitch
CRXsts = crossed stitches

Pattern Stitch

CRXsts: Knit the second stitch on the left needle but do not let the stitch come off the left needle, then knit into the first stitch on the left needle, then let both of them fall off the left needle. Continue on in this manner to the end of the round.

References:

KRL - to learn this increase see this video:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/knit-right-loop-english

KLL - to learn this increase see this video:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/knit-left-loop-english

DIRECTIONS:

CO84 sts using long-tail cast on method, pm and join in the round being careful not to twist. This may be a little tight at first but after a few rounds it won’t be.

1. Knit

2.     Knit
3.     Purl
4.     Knit
5.     Knit
6.     Purl
7.     Knit each round until pc measures 9” in length.
8.     K3, *KRL, k7, rep from * around to last 4 sts, KRL, k4. (96 sts)
9-12 knit
13. *k8, KRL, rep from *to end of round. (108 sts)
14. k40, PM, k14, PM, k40, PM, k14.

You will now be back @ the original starting marker. You may want to make sure that your starting marker is identifiable, perhaps a different color than the other 3 markers.

15. *K1, KLL, k to 1st st before next M, KRL, k1, Slm, rep from * to end. (116 sts)
16. Knit
17-32. Rep last 2 rows 8x more. (180 sts)
33. Purl
34. Knit

Begin Pattern rounds

35. CRXsts around.
36. Knit
37. Rep last 2 rounds until the patterning measures 2 ¾ ”.
38. Purl
39. Knit
40. Bind off loosely.

I lightly steam blocked mine simply to get the bottom edge and the neck edge to lay flat and not roll.