Countdown to Knitmas: Day 18!

Grandma Lecrivain gave my mom an important piece of advice that she made good use of as we kids grew up. As a household plagued with many bouts of hay fever all year, Grandma advised my mom to use a long athletic sock and a diaper pin in lieu of a scarf with a Vapor Rub, pinning that setup around our necks when we were tucked into bed. You may have had a similar treatment at home but with a scarf, but a scarf can be a bit of a tangle to sleep in and the sock is nice and close fitting without any extra to it. I always awoke feeling improved by the comfort of this care - still sniffling, but certainly improved.

For a while, when the sniffles hit our house, I have been meaning to make some cowls that would do the job of the athletic sock (nobody wears long socks at my house). It needed to be washable, warm, close fitting, and stylish enough that the sniffler could keep the comfort tucked around the collar as the day continues.

I present to you, in Spud and Chloe Sweater:

The Feel Better Cowl
Sizes: circumference - 20(22)inches, child(adult); height - 5 inches

Gauge: 4sts/inch and  rows/inch

Needles: US9/5.5mm 16 inch circular or the size needle required for you to achieve that gauge; Optional - DPNs in the same size as you circular needle for making the i-cord button loop right at the beginning (you can use your circular because it is just a few rows so it is not that annoying to use this tool for that job).

1 large button, approx 1 inch

Yarn: approx 80 yds of worsted weight yarn; my sample uses Spud and Chloe Swaeter (160yds/100g, 45% Organic Cotton and 55% Superwash Merino Wool) and I could get 2 cowls from one ball.

CO 3 sts. Work an i-cord for 10 rows. Insert the left end of you circular needle into spots along the cast on edge ("pick up" rather than pick up and knit"). Knit across these 3 sts.

Now, turn your work and cable CO 74(82) sts for a total of 80(88)sts. (If you would like to make this larger or smaller, respectively, add or subtract inches by taking sets of 4 sts. away. Then, your ribbing still works. If you go larger, then you may need more yarn.) Turn your work again so that the i-cord button loop is in your left hand and the yarn is coming from your right hand. Bring the tips together, making sure that there is no twist, and begin working in the round. Remember to place a beginning of the round stitch marker.

Round 1-4: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Round 5-24: Knit.
Round 25-27: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
BO in pattern. Weave in your ends.

Sew the button to the cowl. I have been placing them about 4(5) inches to the left of the button loop (with the loop to the top) and in the center of the stockinette. To save having to break out the measuing tape, I would place the center of the button under the 4th(5th) set of purl bumps and then eyeball the center.

As you can see, I have them in in various stages of complete; six knitted and 6 to go.
The Comfort is for the non wool wearing recipient.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne