Skiing in the Woods

Skiing in the Woods Cowl by Eeva Kesäkuu

What is Being Made

Skiing in the Woods is a knitted cowl featuring a doubled-fabric construction that creates a reversible, textured accessory. The design combines colorwork on the exterior with a smooth lining on the interior, resulting in a sophisticated neck warmer suitable for intermediate knitters.

Construction Technique

This cowl employs a unique two-layer construction method. The outer layer is worked bottom-up using stranded knitting with DK weight yarn in two colors, creating a patterned fabric. Once the colorwork section is complete, the inner lining is worked separately using lighter laceweight yarn held doubled in single-color stockinette stitch. The two layers are then grafted together using the Kitchener stitch, a seamless joining technique that creates an invisible seam and allows the cowl to be truly reversible.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stranded knitting: A colorwork technique where two colors are carried across the row to create the patterned exterior
• Stockinette stitch: Used for the lining layer, creating a smooth, flat surface
• Kitchener stitch (grafting): Applied to seamlessly join the outer and inner layers together
• Provisional cast-on: Waste yarn is used to cast on 151 stitches, allowing for later grafting

Yarn and Materials

Main yarn: ColourMart 100% Extra Fine Merino in DK weight (10/28 NM, 418 meters/457 yards per 150 grams). Two colors are required: 252 meters/276 yards (90 grams) in the main color and 126 meters/138 yards (45 grams) in the contrast color.

Lining yarn: ColourMart 100% Extra Fine Merino in laceweight (3/48 NM, 2349 meters/2569 yards per 150 grams), requiring 392 meters/428 yards (25 grams) when held doubled.

Needles and notions: 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles to achieve gauge, waste yarn for provisional cast-on, a crochet hook matching the needle size, six stitch markers, a tapestry needle for grafting, and an additional circular needle or set of double-pointed needles to assist with the grafting process.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 to 30 stitches per 10 centimeters and 28 to 32 rows per 10 centimeters, measured after washing. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and fabric drape in this construction.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern requires familiarity with stranded colorwork knitting, provisional cast-on methods, and grafting techniques. Knitters should be comfortable managing multiple colors and understanding the two-layer construction process before beginning.