Hōtoke Cowl

This cowl is quite simply named “Winter” in Maori – one of the languages spoken in my country (New Zealand). To me, nothing says Winter like the skeletons of trees, waiting patiently in the cold weather for Spring to arrive again and clothe them in leaves. There is a particular tree outside my bedroom window that I tried to incorporate in this cowl; thick, sturdy trunk with thin, spindly branches.

Thanks to Roberta for knitting our cowl!

Size

Finished size 23” circumference x 10” high

Yarn

Space Cadet Astrid (100% Superwash Merino, 230 yards/100 grams): 1 skein MC Gobsmack, 1 skein CC Silver

Thanks to Space Cadet for providing the yarn for this cowl!

Needles

Size US 6 (4 mm): 24” circular

Notions

One stitch marker; tapestry needle

Gauge

20 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st in the round after wet blocking.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

Pattern Notes

The pattern is worked in the round, stranding the colors as it is worked so that the floats are not too long.

Chart

Cowl Instructions

CO 115 st in MC, join in the round and place marker at the beginning of the round.

Rnd 1: K1, *(p1, k1), rep from * to end of round

Rnd 2: P1, *(k1,p1), rep from * to end of round

Repeat rnds 1 and 2 six more times (14 rounds total)

Switch to CC

Rnds 15 – 19: K all sts in CC

Rnd 20 (CC): K2tog, k to end.

Begin Chart

Rnd 21: *Work Rnd 1 of chart* (you’ll work 3 reps around the circumference)

Repeat above round, moving up the chart, until all rounds of chart have been worked

Switch to CC

Rnd 46: K1, m1, k to end.

Rnds 47 – 52: K all sts.

Switch to MC

Rnd 53: K all sts in MC

Rnds 54 – 67: Repeat rounds 1 and 2 seven times

BO all sts

Finishing

Weave in the ends, block lightly into shape.