Odd Trails

Odd Trails Mosaic Cowl by Nim Teasdale

What is Being Made

Odd Trails is a quick mosaic cowl designed as an introduction to mosaic knitting techniques. This cowl is worked in the round and features a versatile construction that can be adapted for different sizes and color preferences. The design includes two variations on the same theme, making it suitable for knitters exploring colourwork for the first time.

Project Overview

This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Nim Teasdale presents a beginner-friendly cowl project in DK weight yarn. The cowl measures approximately 20cm in height and uses approximately 150m (170y) of yarn, making it an efficient project that can be completed with a single full skein of main color yarn plus complementary mini skeins for contrast.

Construction and Structure

The Odd Trails cowl is constructed with a thoughtful three-part structure:

• A band of 3x3 ribbing at the top of the cowl
• A wide stockinette mosaic panel in the middle section
• A band of 3x3 ribbing at the bottom of the cowl

The ribbing bands provide elasticity and help the cowl maintain its shape, while the mosaic panel creates the visual interest and colorwork design.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Mosaic Knitting: The primary technique featured in this pattern is mosaic knitting, which is an accessible introduction to colorwork. Mosaic knitting is ideal for beginners because only one color is active at a time during the knitting process. The pattern is created by strategically slipping stitches to carry the contrast color up from the row below, eliminating the need to manage multiple active yarns simultaneously.

Stitch Types: The pattern utilizes two fundamental stitch techniques:

• Ribbing (3x3): Used for the top and bottom bands to create structure and stretch
• Stockinette Stitch: Used for the wide mosaic panel in the middle section, providing a smooth fabric base for the mosaic colorwork

The work is knit in stripes, with the mosaic pattern created through the strategic placement and slipping of stitches rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work.

Adaptability and Customization

Odd Trails is designed with flexibility in mind. The cowl can be adapted to be wider or taller depending on your preferences. Additionally, the pattern accommodates multiple color combinations—it can use 2 or more colors, allowing knitters to experiment with different color palettes and create unique variations of the same design.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for DK weight yarn, with approximately 150m (170y) total yardage. The pictured cowls were created using The Fiber Co. Luma yarn, with a single full skein used for the main color and 2 mini skeins for the contrast color.

Needles: The pattern recommends using 3.25mm (US size 3) and 3.5mm (US size 4) needles. Needle size can be adapted to suit your preferred gauge, allowing you to customize the fabric density and drape of the finished cowl.

Skill Level

This pattern is classified as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to mosaic knitting or colorwork techniques. The straightforward construction and the inherent simplicity of mosaic knitting—where only one color is worked at a time—make this an approachable project for developing knitters.