Several months ago, I started working for an art gallery that also sells wool and craft supplies, plus hosts workshops and other fun events in the crafting world. The co-owner, Emma, and I started chatting one day about ways to liven up the craft section, and we hit upon the idea of designing a few things with yarn that could be used to advertise our craft workshops, or to highlight our bi-monthly Craft Circle, or just to show off what the different yarns looked like as finished objects. So I got out my needles and had a think!
I was really into cowls at the time, and had been pondering the idea of a cosy, thick cowl that fit closely (but not too tightly) around the neck. I'm a sucker for buttons, so it had to have buttons, and I wanted it to be interesting to knit, stylish to wear, and to show off a range of knitting stitches. So the Five Days A Week Cowl was born!
It's knit in a soft, luscious aran weight alpaca blend, although you can choose any aran weight you like if alpaca isn't your thing. There are five sections with different stitch patterns:
I also test knit it in DK weight, and went down half a needle size to create the same kind of fabric tension.
And if you use sport weight, like Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino, you'll have yourself a kids' size!
I really enjoyed making this pattern, and I hope you'll enjoy it too! It's a free download on Ravelry, so there's no excuse not to try it! And if you need help learning to knit and you live near Saintfield, Northern Ireland, check out our workshop programme for August! Happy knitting!
Jaele
