free knitting pattern :: accordion cowl

A new pattern for your knitting pleasure!

This one is super simple to make, but using 4 shades of yarn going from dark to light adds a dramatic twist! I used Cascade Yarns "Cotton Rich" in Tomato, Fuschia, Pomegranate, and Bubble Yummy. One 50 gram skein of each color was needed to complete this project.

Using size US 8/ 5 mm circular needles, cast on 120 stitches with your darkest color (in my case, Tomato) and join for working in the round. Don't forget to place a marker to mark the beginning of the round. The entire cowl is made by knitting 5 rounds, then purling 5 rounds. Knit 5 rounds, purl 5 rounds, knit 5 rounds, purl 5 rounds.... When your darkest color runs out, join the next lightest color and keep going. This stitch pattern gives the cowl a squishy, accordion effect. I was able to get 2 knit sections and 2 purl sections out of each skein, switching colors around the last row. Continue like this until you have just a row or two worth of yarn left on your lightest color, then bind off loosely. Weave in the ends on the inside of the cowl so they aren't visible.

Enjoy!