October Glory by CanarySanctuary

[shareprints gallery_id=”354″ gallery_type=”masonry” gallery_position=”pos_left” gallery_width=”width_50″ image_size=”xlarge” image_padding=”0″ theme=”light” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]If I could wrap myself in autumn, I would. This cowl is an attempt at just that; the beauty of falling leaves is captured as best it can be with a dynamic cascade of knit leaves that float with every movement.

[shareprints gallery_id=”356″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”medium” image_padding=”5″ theme=”light” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]

Sizes

One size.

Cowl measures 13.5” tall and approximately 24” wide
Each leaf measures 3” wide and 3” tall

Yarn

Alchemy Silk Purse (100% silk; 163 yards [149 meters]/50 grams): Copper, 2 hanks

Needles

US#6 (4 mm): straights or circulars
US#6 (4 mm): 2 double pointed needles – optional for working the leaves

Gauge

5.5 sts and 7 rows = 1” in lace pattern and in St st.

Notions

Markers, 2 yards of ¼” wide ribbon, tapestry needle

Pattern Notes

The cowl for this pattern requires no shaping, and is a large rectangle based on a lace pattern of 12 repeating rows. The first six and last six stitches of the cowl pattern are the edge stitches, and are knit in garter stitch with an eyelet placed on every fourth row.
The leaves are knit separately and require blocking.

Cowl

CO 127 sts using long tail method.

Setup row: K6, pm, knit until 6 sts before end of row, pm, k6

Begin working in lace pattern, inserting markers to mark the middle st where specified.

Lace Pattern
Row 1: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, pm, (k2tog, yo, k4) 6 times, pm, k middle st, pm, (k4, yo, k2tog) 13 times, pm, k2, k2tog, yo, k2
Row 2 and every WS row: K6, purl until 6 sts rem, k6
Row 3: K6, sm, k1, (k2tog, yo, k4) 5 times, k2tog, yo, k3, sm, k1, sm, k3, yo, k2tog, (k4, yo, k2tog) 12 times, k1, sm, k6.
Row 5: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, sm, k2, (k2tog, yo, k4) 5 times, k2tog, yo, k2, sm, k1, sm, k2, yo, k2tog, (k4, yo, k2tog) 12 times, k2, sm, k2, k2tog, yo, k2.
Row 7:K6, sm, k3, (k2tog, yo, k4) 5 times, k2tog, yo, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, yo, k2tog, (k4, yo, k2tog) 12 times, k3, sm, k6.
Row 9: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, sm, k4, (k2tog, yo, k4) 5 times, k2tog, yo, sm, k1, sm, (yo, k2tog, k4) 13 times, sm, k2, k2tog, yo, k2.
Row 11: K6, sm, k5 (k2tog, yo, k4) 5 times, k1, sm, k1, sm, k5, (yo, k2tog, k4) 12 times, k1, sm, k6.

Repeat these 12 rows until piece measures 13.5” cast on edge, ending with a RS row.

BO knitwise.

Leaves

Make three

Note: Leaves are small so I suggest working them on 2 DPNs. If you don’t have DPNs you can use the straights or circulars.

Base

CO 13 sts
Row 1: BO 3 sts, k3, yo, k1, yo, knit to end; 12 sts
Row 2: BO 3 sts, knit to end of row; 9 sts.
Row 3: K1, kf&b, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, kf&b, k1; 13 sts.
Row 4: K1, kf&b, k9, kf&b, k1; 15 sts
Row 5: K1, kf&b, k5, yo, k1, yo, k5, kf&b, k1; 17 sts.
Row 6: K1, kf&b, k15, kf&b, k1; 21 sts.
Row 7: K1, kf&b, k17, kf&b, k1; 23 sts.

Side Leaf

Worked over 7 sts

Rows 1 and 2: K1, kf&b, k2, k2tog, k1, turn work, k1, kf&b, k2, ssk, k1.
Row 3: CO 2 sts using backward loop method, BO 3 sts, k5.
Row 4: CO 2 sts using backward loop method, BO 3 sts, k4.
Row 5: Ssk, k1, k2tog.
Row 6: Slip 1, k2tog, psso.

Cut yarn, slip end through this last stitch.

Work Second Side Leaf

Slip 9 sts. Side Leaf is worked over outer 7 sts. Rejoin yarn and repeat Side Leaf instructions above,

Middle Leaf

You now have 9 sts.

Rejoin yarn and k across one row.
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Row 3: CO 2, BO 4, k6; 7 sts
Row 4: CO 2, BO 4, k4; 5 sts
Row 5: Ssk, k1, k2tog; 3 sts
Row 6: Slip 1, k2tog, psso.

Cut yarn, slip end through this last stitch.

Stitch 2 tips of leaf stem together.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

Block leaves.

Locate yarn over lace hole that is halfway up the cowl edge. Thread one length of ribbon from here to the edge, making sure to leave “tails” of ribbon hanging down.
Do same, threading second length of ribbon from center to other edge. This gives you 4 different “tails” on which to tie your leaves.
At the ends of these tails, you can attach the leaves by slipping the ribbon through the gap between the stems and tightly knotting it in place.

About the Designer: CanarySanctuary

CanarySanctuary has a real name, and it’s Teresa. She’s a self-professed magpie who wishes it was always October. Teresa blogs at CanaryKnits and hangs out in Ravelry as canarysanctuary.