2018: Silent Night Cowl

Small-circumference cowls make great accessories to knit because they are quick to make, don’t have to use much yarn, aren’t fussy to wear, and they trap a lot of warmth. The Silent Night Cowl from Interweave Knits Gifts 2018 checks all of these boxes. Knit with only one skein of worsted-weight merino, and measuring 20″ around and 9″ tall, you can quickly knit the whole project in just a couple of hours. The small circumference accessory is easy to wear, as there is no need to wrap it like longer cowls, and the warm air gets trapped in the space between your skin and the warm knit wool fabric, especially when there is added texture, which is created for this cowl with the zigzag cable pattern around the cowl.

This cowl makes a great gift for a couple of reasons. First, because the semisolid colors of yarns help you to personalize the gift for the intended recipient. There are neutrals, and brights, and pastels, and even a small batch of space-dyed colorways. Secondly, since cowls don’t have to fit a person’s exact measurements, you can trust that about 20″ will fit a wide range of people (unless you need to make it bigger, then you can cast on for another repeat of the zigzag cable pattern).

Pattern Details

DESIGNER Hannah Baker

DIFFICULTY Easy

FINISHED SIZE 20″ circumference and 9″ tall.

YARN Manos del Uruguay Gloria (100% superwash merino wool; 219 yd [200 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #G2390 noche, 1 skein. Yarn distributed by Fairmount Fibers.

NEEDLES Size 8 (5 mm): 16″ circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS Marker (m); cable needle (cn); tapestry needle.

GAUGE 22 sts and 25 rnds = 4″ in charted patt.

Knits Gifts 2018: Make Your Way to Christmas