Cross Stitch Cowl

A friend asked me if I could design a cowl that would work with variegated yarn. Now, one might argue that everything looks good with variegated yarn, but I immediately saw her point. Most cowls have beautiful stitch patterns--that could be under-appreciated if they are overshadowed by an amazing colorway.

I think that this stitch pattern is simple enough to let the variegated yarn take center stage, yet interesting enough to remain visible and beautiful in an of itself. Plus, it's very easy to memorize and execute. Also, this cowl knits up in no time at all.

The more I wear this cowl, the more it has a tendency to curl. This is comfortable...but hides the stitch pattern a bit. I've found that it blocks flat again, but as I'm lazy about blocking, I've found that tucking the top to the inside prevents the rolling and keeps the pattern visible. You may want to consider knitting it an inch or two taller to compensate.