Mindfulness

Mindfulness Cowl by Janelle Martin

What is Being Made

Mindfulness is a summer weight cowl designed for warm weather and transitional wear. This knitted neck piece is worked in the round using plant-based fibers, creating a lightweight, breathable accessory perfect for layering during warmer seasons.

Craft and Technique

This project is a knitting pattern worked entirely in the round on a short circular needle. Working in the round eliminates the need to purl lace stitches on wrong side rows, making the lace pattern more manageable for the skill level. The cowl features lace knitting as its primary decorative technique, with lace rows appearing in rows 6–9 of the pattern repeat. The lace construction creates an open, airy fabric ideal for summer wear.

The pattern is rated Advanced Beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle lace techniques. Blocking is essential to achieve the correct gauge and finished appearance of the lace pattern.

Stitches and Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in the lace pattern after blocking. This gauge is achieved using Sport weight yarn at approximately 6 stitches per inch.

Materials

Yarn: The pattern requires 140 yards of Sport weight yarn made from plant fiber with preferably some linen content. The cowl is shown in Classic Elite Yarns Firefly (155 yards per 50 grams, 1 skein, color 7755 Corsica). Alternative yarn options include Classic Elite Cotton Bam Boo, Classic Elite Allegoro, Lana Grossa Giava, Hemp for Knitting Hempton Medium, Elann Linen Twist, Elann Camila, Richmore Kinuasa, and Lana Grossa Lino—all offering similar fiber content and weight characteristics.

Needles: US #6 / 4 mm circular needle in 16 inches (40 cm) length, or the size needed to meet gauge after blocking. The short circular needle length is essential for working this cowl in the round comfortably.