Normally dropping stitches in our knitting projects is one of those things that can take it from hero to zero! However, when dropping stitches on purpose they can make for beautiful decorative details. The best thing about this adorable little project.....we ALL know how to drop a stitch!
With the (I'm not sure if I can say it out loud yet or in this case type it) h-h-holidays just around the corner, this is something I want to share with you. I gave at least a dozen of these adorable little cowls as gifts last year and they went over so well! They take no time at all to make and in my opinion handmade gifts are the best gifts to give and receive. So, if you know how to knit, purl and drop a stitch......you came to the right place!
I'm using Biscotte's Hagrid Multi in Purple 419 double stranded. This yarn is 85% superwash merino with 15% total fun!! In actuality it's 15% Donegal neps in multi colors!! It's such a fun yarn and absolutely PERFECT for this type of project! Check out the little specks of color in this yarn! I absolutely love it!
To start off, I cast on 52 stitches on 10mm short circular needles and join in the round. When I join in the round, there's one thing that I always do however never add it in the instructions but feel like it's a necessary step in order to get a really secure join. I cast on 1 stitch more than I actually need. So in this case I will cast on 53 stitches
When knitting with 2 strands of yarn, I use the outside strand and take the strand from inside the cake instead of trying to equally separate one skein into 2 equal cakes of yarn. It's also easier than dealing with 2 cakes vs. just the one.
So to join securely in the round, insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle as if to purl as shown in the picture above.
Step 1: Slip that first stitch onto the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Then insert your right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle as if to purl. (You are inserting your needle into what WAS the first stitch, not the one you just slipped on) and.....
Step 3: Pass it over the slipped stitch.
Step 4: Pull the tail and the working yarn taught to tighten up the join and add a marker for the beginning of round.
I use this technique EVERY time I join my work in the round even if I don't specify in my project. It's secure and you won't get slack between the first and last stitch as you would if you just placed a marker and starting knitting.
Now that we have a nice secure join we can start on our adorable little cowl.
Round 1: Purl to end.
Round 2: Knit to end
Round 3: Repeat row 1.
Round 4: Repeat row 2.
Round 5: (Knit 1, yarn over your needle 2 times), repeat to end.
Round 6: Purl the knit stitches on this round but DO NOT purl the yarn overs; just simply drop them off your needle. Be very careful on this row as to not drop off a stitch instead of a yarn over. I repeat in my head for this round:" purl, drop drop, purl drop, drop"......just to play on the side of caution!
Repeat these 6 rounds until your desired length is achieved, keeping in mind that you will need to end it with rounds 1 to 4 one more time, binding off on the 4th row.
I've made this cowl with wrapping the yarn over my needle one time, which is also nice but didn't get that really slouchy look that I like in a cowl. Wrapping the yarn around twice makes the strands from the dropped stitches longer and therefore much slouchier!
Here's the finished cowl with only 4 repeats of the 6 rows. There's lots of room with one skein of Hagrid Multi to add more row repeats or even make it wider with casting on more stitches. The color of this cowl is absolutely beautiful! Hagrid Multi comes in a range of colors so making these in multiple colors is definitely on my ever so long list of things to knit! Hagrid which has neutral colored neps would also make beautiful cowls depending on your preference.
My youngest daughter, and aspiring little model Sophie, has fallen in love and apparently renamed my cowl to Candy Sprinkles Scarf! I don't think I'll be getting this one back and I have also been informed that I must knit her a hat and mittens to match....and the list continues to grow LOL
Do you think you'll add this "Candy Sprinkles Scarf" to you list of things to knit?
