Save 20% through January 21, 2025 with code CORE.

Check out CORE MEMORY HEADBAND for the headband cousin to this design.

When I knit, I often think about where I am—physically or emotionally—and embed a bit of my experience in the finished object. Later, when I take the finished piece out of a drawer, I find myself instantly transported to a different time or place. The memories of friends or adventures or hardship, in some cases, are embedded into the physical work.

In the last year or so, I’ve added handspinning to my own fiber adventures, prompted by admiring versions of my designs created by other spinners. I’ve been reading and experimenting and adding a whole new layer of memories to my fiber arts work.

I create designs that are fun to make, fun to wear, and involve intentional detailing. CORE MEMORY COWL uses my own handspun yarn along with coordinating hand-dyed DK weight yarn. It is a completely reversible cowl designed in 3 sizes. This design is a meditative knit that highlights a special skein of yarn with a coordinating color. It’s embedded with core memories of place and making.

This design is knit flat and grafted using 2-color fisherman’s rib and garter stitch. Pattern includes photo and video tutorials for techniques used in this design.

YARN – MAIN COLOR
Sample 1: Cesium Yarn Merino DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 231 yd / 211 m per 100 g

Sample 2: Cesium Yarn Strong DK, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 246 yd / 225 m per 100 g

2 (3, 3) skeins

YARN – CONTRAST COLOR
Sample 1: 2-ply handspun yarn, approximately 16 WPI (wraps per inch). Fiber is 100% Non-Superwash Shaniko Fiber by Cesium Yarn.

Sample 2: Cesium Yarn Sock, 75% Superwash Merino / 25% nylon, 463 yd / 423 m per 100 g or similar fingering weight yarn held double, changing out a pair of colors for each section for a marled look.

CC can also be a single color of DK weight yarn. So many choices! Any size uses less than a 100 g skein of the contrast color, see yarn estimate below for DK approximation.

YARN ESTIMATE PER SIZE
MC: 294 (486, 693) yd / 269 (444, 634) m
127 (211, 300) g
CC: 79 (132, 195) yd / 72 (121, 178) m
34 (57, 85) g

Yarn estimate based on DK weight properties and includes small buffer. Yarn estimate for handspun yarn may vary due to grist of yarn, but any size should require less than a standard skein!

Estimate above includes rolled edge along each side. Yarn estimate for rolled edge ONLY is provided to ensure that you allow enough MC for the border. Running a bit short? Use CC or introduce a new color!

MC: 42 (62, 83) yd / 38 (57, 76) m
18 (27, 36) g

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Sizes 1 (2, 3)
Height at start: 8.25” (8.25”, 8.25”) / 21 (21, 21) cm
Height at midpoint: 11” (13”, 15”) / 28 (33, 38) cm
Circumference: 32” (48”, 64”) / 81 (122, 163) cm

NOTE: this piece is worked flat and grafted together. The schematics show the work laid flat.

GAUGE & NEEDLES
18 stitches & 36 rows = 4” / 10 cm in garter stitch, blocked
See note on P. 3 about counting rows in 2-color fisherman’s rib. Gauge is not critical but will impact finished size and yarn requirements.
US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle, min. length 24” / 60 cm or size needed to get gauge

TOOLS
Crochet hook of similar size for provisional cast-on
Smooth waste yarn in contrast color for provisional cast-on
Additional needle in working size (or smaller) for grafting stitches
Flexible tape measure
Scissors
Small gram scale
Locking clip stitch markers to mark progress & indicate RS of work
Tapestry needle

Share your finished work on Instagram with #CoreMemoryCowl

Yarn and fiber support: Cesium Yarn www.cesiumyarn.com
Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Kate B., Dianne B., Leslie C-R., Laura H., Penny J., Tiffany N., Louise R., Julia S., & Cat S.