This is as simple and soothing as a stroll in the woods. Using only knit stitches, you work back and forth (and occasionally in the round) to create wedges of colour that stack on top of each other in gentle folds. No purling, no seaming, no stress – just easy short row turns (tutorial included).

Buy 3, get 1 free: add any four of my patterns to your cart and the cheapest will be free.

One size: 61cm / 24in circumference, approximately 28cm / 11in high

This cowl uses five 20g mini-skeins. It could easily be extended to six or more, giving a little extra warmth around the neck. Although it’s knit almost entirely back and forth, you do need to join in the round, so a circular needle is required.

A big thank you to tech editors Kate Atherley and Emily K Williams, and to my wonderful testers, for making sure this pattern is crystal clear for knitters of any level.