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Named for my most favorite type of notebook paper. The eyelets in this basketweave stitch pattern reminded me of a dot grid, creating the framework for bands of knits and purls to weave over and under each other.

Highland is such a great worsted weight - its woolen-spun nature gives a liveliness to each stitch. Knitting it at a slightly loose gauge allows the textured stitch pattern to drape nicely for a snuggly cowl fabric.

I also experimented with using Harrisville Designs Shetland held with a strand of lace mohair-silk on the same size needles - it created a lovely effect, and gauge was relatively the same. Two skeins of Shetland, and one 50g skein of laceweight mohair-silk, can be easily substituted for Highland for a slinky, fuzzy-shiny cowl with a soft halo. Pairing two completely different colors (my example shows HD Shetland in Jade green, held with Neighborhood Fiber Co’s Loft in Oliver gold) is a fun way to create a shade unique to you.

This pattern is great for experimenting with different types of yarns, yarn combinations, colors, and even yarn weights/gauge. Three sizes are given, but it is easily modifiable by working different numbers of repeats in each section.

SIZES
A (B, C)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
22 (25, 27.25)” {56 (63.5, 69) cm} circumference
7 (7, 9.75)” {18 (18, 25) cm} depth at back neck
19.5 (21.5, 24)” {50 (54.5, 61) cm} depth neck to point

YARN
Harrisville Designs Highland (100% Virgin Wool, approx. 200 yds {183 m} per 100g skein)
2 skeins, shown in Toffee and Melon
or 240 (280, 380) yds {219 (256, 347) m} woolen-spun, worsted weight wool

GAUGE
17 sts and 25 rows = 4” {10 cm} in Basketweave pattern, after blocking

NEEDLES
Size US 9 {5.5 mm} needles for flat knitting
or size to obtain gauge

NOTIONS
Tapestry needle

TECHNIQUES USED
Cable Cast On
I-cord Bind Off
Long-tail CO

NOTES
Cowl is worked back and forth on the bias, beginning at back neck. A knit-as-you-go double knit edge is used to trim the edges of the cowl. Stitches are bound off using an i-cord bind off. The back neck is seamed into a tube using mattress stitch.
Two skeins of the suggested yarn will accommodate all sizes.
Depth and circumference are easily modified beyond the suggestions listed, keeping in mind additional yardage may be required, and making sure the number of repeats worked for the back neck increases and decreases match each other for even seaming.