COWL

Materials:  approximately 350 yards of worsted-weight yarn (preferably
something soft and fuzzy--mohair works quite well), size #7 dpns or 16"
circular needle.

Gauge: 5 sts per inch (row gauge can be whatever produces the correct sts/in)

Directions:  Cast on 144 sts, join the row without twisting sts, and work
about 1 inch in stockinette.  Then work in k 1, p 1, ribbing for about 22
inches (or close to that, depending on how your yarn in holding out).  Finish
with another inch of stockinette rows, and bind off normally--not too tight
nor too loose.

The stockinette rows at the beginning and end roll over just enough to make a
nice finished edge that keeps the ends flexible.  A yarn that produces a firm
fabric will be pleasantly windproof and warm to wear in a variety of ways:
for instance, it can be worn cuffed at one end to form a hood with the other
end spread over the shoulders instead of a separate scarf, or the tube can
just be rolled up three or four times so that it looks like the top of a
cowl-neck sweater peeking out over the top of a coat.  It's a fun thing to
play with draping and arranging, and pretty easy to switch from one style to
another as the weather demands.

The simple ribbing makes this a nicely mindless and portable project.  If the
temptation exists to change the ribbing for something more elaborate, just
remember that the pattern should be both reversible and very stretchy.  My
collection includes cowls made with both solid colors and a variegated yarn
(with a nice effect).  It's my favorite cold-weather "wooly," and several
friends who have received them as gifts agree.

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B. J. Licko-Keel (BJLK@aol.com)
Calumet City, IL (where it is desperately gray and dreary today)

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