Half a Dozen Parasols Cowl by Abigail Ryan

This 100% wool cowl is perfect for the fall and winter days when the nights are getting colder and the days shorter. The pattern is named for the six “parasols” that line up neatly on the front of the cowl, although perhaps umbrellas would be more fitting, considering the fact that winter brings more snow and rain than sun! Regardless, this cowl will help shield your neck from the elements and keep you toasty through the coldest months of the year. While it is knit mostly in stockinette, the parasols add texture and interest to the process. This would make a perfect beginner project, while still appealing to more advanced knitters.

Size

Finished Size 26.5” around, 7.5’’ deep

Yarn

Hobby Lobby I Love This Wool! Naturals (100% wool; 220 yards [201 meters]/113 grams): 10 Ivory, 1 ball

Needles

Size US 7 (4.5 mm): 24’’ circular

Notions

Stitch marker; tapestry needle; scissors

Gauge

16 sts and 24 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.

Abbreviations

s2kp – slip 2 sts as if to purl, k1, pass slipped stitches over

Parasol Stitch Chart

Parasol Stitch Written Directions

Slight modified version of the directions found here.

Rnd 1: *k1, yo, [k1, p3], rep between [] 3 more times, k1, yo.* Rep from * as many times as specified.

Rnd 2 (and all other even-numbered rnds): Knit.

Rnd 3:*k2, yo, [k1, p3] rep between [] 3 more times, k1, yo, k1.* Rep from *.

Rnd 5: *k3, yo, [k1, p3] rep between [] 3 more times, k1, yo, k2.* Rep from *.

Rnd 7: *k4, yo, [k1, p2tog, p1], rep between [] 3 more times, k1, yo, k3.* Rep from *.

Rnd 9: *k5, yo, [k1, p2tog], rep between [] 3 more times, k1, yo, k4.* Rep from *.

Rnd 11:*k6, yo, [k1, sk2p] twice, k1, yo, k5.* Rep from *.

Rnd 12: Knit.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. I recommend a long tail cast-on and a loose bind off to ensure stretchiness.

Cowl

CO 110 sts onto circular ndl.

Bottom Edge

K 1 rnd.

P 1 rnd.

Rep these 2 rnds 3 more times, or until knitting measures 1’’ or 2.5 cm.

Center

Next rnd: Work rnd 1 of parasol stitch, working st repeat a total of 3 times. K rem sts. (6 sts inc. 116 sts.)

Cont working parasol st repeating 3 times at the beg of the cowl until all 12 rnds have been completed, knitting all rem sts. Stitch counts are as follows:

Rnd 2 (and all other even-numbered rnds): No sts inc.

Rnd 3: 6 sts inc. 122 sts.

Rnd 5: 6 sts inc. 128 sts.

Rnd 7: 6 sts dec. 122 sts.

Rnd 9: 6 sts dec. 116 sts.

Rnd 11: 6 sts dec. 110 sts.

Rnd 12: Remember to work a rnd 12!

Next rnd: Work rnd 1 of parasol stitch, working st repeat a total of 2 times. K rem sts. (4 sts inc. 114 sts.)

Cont working parasol st, repeating 2 times at the beg of the cowl until all 12 rnds have been completed. K rem sts. Stitch counts are as follows:

Rnd 2 (and all other even-numbered rnds): No sts inc’d.

Rnd 3: 4 sts inc’d. 118 sts.

Rnd 5: 4 sts inc’d. 122 sts.

Rnd 7: 4 sts dec’d. 118 sts.

Rnd 9: 4 sts dec’d. 114 sts.

Rnd 11: 4 sts dec’d. 110 sts.

Rnd 12: Remember to work a rnd 12!

Next rnd: Work rnd 1 of parasol stitch. K rem sts. (2 sts inc. 112 sts.) Cont working parasol st until all 12 rnds have been completed. K all rem sts. Stitch counts are as follows:

Rnd 2 (and all other even-numbered rnds): No sts inc’d.

Rnd 3: 2 sts inc’d. 114 sts.

Rnd 5: 2 sts inc’d. 116 sts.

Rnd 7: 2 sts dec’d. 114 sts.

Rnd 9: 2 sts dec’d. 112 sts.

Rnd 11: 2 sts dec’d. 110 sts.

Rnd 12: Remember to work a rnd 12!

Top Edge

K 1 rnd.

P 1 rnd.

Rep these 2 rnds 3 more times, or until top edge measures 1” or 2.5 cm.

BO all sts.

Finishing

Block gently. Bundle up and wear on the next blustery day!