Patternum Novum :: Xenia Cowl

I feel like I say this every time I release a new pattern -- but I think I have a new favorite. I really, truly love this one. And I really hope you guys aren't getting sick of these shawl-cowl hybrids I've been doing lately (Starshower started my obsession...), but I can't get enough. I love designing them (there's no special formula -- each one takes unique shaping), I love knitting them (so quick and rewarding!), and I really love wearing them (just the right amount of warmth, they don't fall off, and they spruce up my dominantly white/grey/black wardrobe). Anyway...here's the newest shawl-cowl, this time in stripes! Introducing Xenia...

Xenia - $5 via Ravelry (no account required)


I created Xenia (the ancient Greek notion of guest friendship) for the {Among Friends} yarn club, using some really lovely sock yarn by Pigeonroof Studios. The cowl features a slipped stitch stripe pattern that is simple and fun and (I think) is striking in both stripes (above) and monochrome (below) alike. It takes the equivalent of just a single skein of sock yarn, meaning that you can make one with a single skein, or, with two skeins, you can make two striped cowls with the colors reversed.

The specs...

Finished measurements: 19”/ 48.5 cm circumference at top opening, 15.25”/ 38.5 cm height at center, 40”/ 101.5 cm circumference at bottom opening

Yarn: 400 yds/ 366 m of fingering weight yarn: 255 yds/ 233 m of MC and 145 yds/ 133 m of CC Shown in Pigeonroof Studios American Sock (100% Merino; 400 yds/ 366 m); 1 skein each of Autumnal (monochrome version), Charcoal (MC in striped version), and Rubine 2 (CC in striped version)

Needles: US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16-24”/ 40-60 cm long, or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 22 sts & 38 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in stripe pattern; 22 sts & 32 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Stockinette st

For more information on Xenia, you can check it out on Ravelry here.  And if you'd like to knit along with others and/or share photos, come join the Sidere discussion in my Ravelry group, The Yarniad's Symposium.