Ahoy Cowl

Featured Knitting Stitch Pattern: Sailor Rib 

This is a simple stitch pattern that adds a texture that is deeper than simple ribbing.  It is easy and adds amazing depth to your finished piece; plus it’s reversible.  Try it with some handspun and make a scarf or cowl.  It’s a great unisex stitch pattern, and so many yarns look amazing in this stitch!

Sailor Rib (multiple of 4 + 3 stitches) - see "Mistake Rib Stitch" video below.

• Row 1:  *P2, K2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; P2, K1
• Row 2: *K2, P2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; K2, P1 

AHOY COWL

Natural burly-spun Icelandic wool handspun gives this cowl a rugged, squishy look knit in Sailor Rib pattern, while the other half is knit with a thick and thin soft alpaca blend yarn that lightens the look of the cowl.   

MATERIALS:

• Approximately 70 yds of a thick and thin Icelandic/gotland lock yarn, or any thickly spun lock yarn, to get a similar look
• Approximately 75 yds of Asana Bulky (50%wool / 50% alpaca, 140 yds), color 406, by Galler Yarns, held double. (chunky yarn, recommended to be knit with a size 10-10.5 needle)
• Length of Sari Silk ribbon (optional, for seaming)
• Size 13 needles, straight or circular*.  Cowl is knit flat then seamed. 
• Yarn needle for seaming.

*Swatch!  Choose the size needle that makes a fabric YOU like.  Sailor rib looks more dramatic knit at a denser gauge.   

PATTERN:

Cast on 15 stitches (or whatever width you’d like your cowl to be) 

Follow Sailor rib pattern for 7-10 inches, or however long you’d like your cowl to be made of handspun yarn (i.e. half length- sample is long enough to wear as a simple cowl)

When the cowl is about half as long as you would like, switch yarn to the Asana Bulky (held double).  Change stitch pattern or continue in Sailor Rib.  

Continue knitting until the cowl is as long as you desire.  Cut loose & get creative!  Make it a long scarf or cowl, to wrap around your neck several times.  Add another yarn or stitch pattern to the piece; the possibilities are endless! This could be a great use of small bits of handspun or a stash buster.   

Bind off.  Seam ends together with a yarn needle and a length of sari silk yarn for a dramatic seam, or to be subtle, seam with the Asana Bulky.    

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

7x7 Mitts

 Featured Crochet Stitch: Half Double Crochet Through The Back Loop 

Half double crochet (hdc) through the back loop (tbl) is such a versatile stitch!  It adds a ribbed look (almost a knitted look) to your piece, and is also reversible.   

My favorite project to do with this stitch is quick fingerless mitts.  They can be done with several different sizes of yarn, and only takes about 60 yds.  It is super quick- make a pair of mitts in an hour! 

7 x 7 mitts

I like to make fingerless gloves for myself and as gifts.  It takes less yarn than you think, perfect for a skein of handspun that is 70 yards or less.  For longer mitts, look for at least 100 yards (crochet can eat up your yardage).  The name comes from the dimensions- 7 inches long, and 7 inches wide, which is a nice basic length and width for most hands.  The mitts are crocheted length wise, then seamed on one side leaving room for a thumb opening.  In this stitch pattern, the mitts are substantial and ribbed, making them extra warm.  For a more delicate mitt, use a smaller yarn and hook.   

MATERIALS:

• 60 yds of handspun yarn - I used a bulky single ply, mixed wools and silk, plus approximately 20 yds of spiral ply handspun with loops and puffs (I ran out of the bulky single and added in a bit of coordinating funky plied yarn for one mitt) 
• Size P crochet hook (or whatever hook gives you a fabric you like).  Try not to be really loose as these will stretch with wear.  
• Smooth worsted weight yarn or length of sari silk ribbon to seam mitts 
• Yarn needle for seaming 

PATTERN: (Make 2) 

Crochet a chain that is 7 inches long (or however long you’d like your mitts to be).  Make the chain rather loose for ease in crocheting the first row.  

Chain 2 (turning chain; does not count as stitch).  HDC tbl across the row.   

Repeat the pattern until the mitt is 7 inches long (check to see if mitt fits around your hand- if not add another row or two).  Bind off.   

Seam the mitt using an invisible stitch (mattress or crochet together), or make it fun with a sari silk seam.  Remember to leave about an inch open for your thumb.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

eLONGated Knit Stitch

This is one of my favorite knitting stitches, and referenced frequently in THISyarn patterns. Click on the videos below to learn how to knit this stitch!