Fair Isle First Cowl

Abbreviations

Finishing

Cut yarn leaving a 6-in tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and weave in all ends securely on WS, catching floats where possible to anchor them. Wet-block finished cowl: soak in cool water for 20 minutes, gently squeeze out water without wringing, lay flat or place over a form to the finished measurements of 24 in circumference × 9 in tall, and allow to dry completely before wearing.

Notes

Float management: Because all floats in the Fair Isle band span 3 sts or fewer, no catching is required, but always strand the unused color loosely to preserve fabric stretch and drape. Yarn tension tip: If you tend to strand tightly, switch to US 9 (5.5 mm) needles for Rnds 17–33 and return to US 8 (5.0 mm) for the top ribbing; this prevents the stranded band from puckering or pulling in. Color dominance: Hold MC in your left hand (Continental) and CC in your right hand (English), or consistently hold MC below CC, to ensure pattern stitches pop forward visually. Cast-on edge: A long-tail cast on is recommended for its natural elasticity, which matches the k2, p2 ribbing. The finished cowl is designed to be worn doubled or as a single loop.