Project excerpted from Vampire Knits. There is no better protection from bloodthirsty vampires than this plush hooded cowl, which encircles your delicate and appetizing human neck with warm woolen cables. Worn as hood, it will help you blend into the shadows. Skill Level: Intermediate Size: One size Finished measurements: 18" x 32" (circumference at bottom edge) (46cm x 81cm) Materials: KnitPicks Cadena bulky (70% wool, 30% alpaca, 31⁄2 oz/100g, 110 yds/100m): 4 skeins in Admiral Size 101⁄2 (6.5mm) 16"and 24" circular needles Stitch markers Cable needle Tapestry needle Gauge: 14 stitches and 18 rows = 4" (10cm ) in stockinette stitch Special skills: Special instructions: C6F: Place 3 stitches on cable needle and hold to front, k3, k3 from cable needle. C6B: Place 3 stitches on cable needle and hold to back, k3, k3 from cable needle. Stitch patterns: SEED STITCH (worked over an odd number of stitches) Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end. Round 2: *P1, k1; repeat from * to end. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 for pattern. GRADUATED 9-STITCH BRAIDED CABLE Graduated cable lengths are created by working 5 rounds even between cable crossing rounds twice, then 4 rounds even between cable crossing rounds twice, then 3 rounds even between cable crossing rounds to the end. Note: Change to shorter circular needle when needed. Cowl: With longer circular needles, cast on 143 stitches. Place marker and join in a round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in seed stitch for 4 rounds. Next round (cable set-up): M1 purlwise (p1, k1 in same st), p6, *pm, k9, pm, p7, repeat from * to end of round, ending with k9—144 stitches, 7 stitches in each purl section. Work 2 rounds even in pattern. Cable Repeat: Next round (cable round 1): *P7, C6B, k3; repeat from * around. Work 5 rounds even in pattern. Next round (cable round 2): *P7, k3, C6F; repeat from * around. Work 5 rounds even in pattern. Work Cable Repeat once more. AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 4" (10cm), decrease 9 stitches evenly across next round in the purl sections, as follows: *p3, p2tog, p2, work cable crossing or knit stitches depending on round; repeat from * around—135 stitches, 6 stitches in each purl section. Work Cable Repeat twice more, working 4 rounds even instead of 5 between cable rounds. Work Cable Repeat to end, working 3 rounds even instead of 4 between cable rounds. AT THE SAME TIME, decrease 9 stitches evenly around in purl sections every 2" (5cm) 4 times more, as follows: Decrease Round 1: *P2, p2tog, p2, work cable crossing or knit stitches depending on round; repeat from * around—126 stitches, 5 stitches in each purl section. Decrease Round 2: *P2, p2tog, p1, work cable crossing or knit stitches depending on round; repeat from * around—117 stitches, 4 stitches in each purl section. Decrease Round 3: *P1, p2tog, p1, work cable crossing or knit stitches depending on round; repeat from * around—108 stitches, 3 stitches in each purl section. Decrease Round 4: *P2tog, p1, work cable crossing or knit stitches depending on round; repeat from * around—99 stitches, 2 stitches in each purl section. Continue in pattern until cowl measures 171⁄2" (44cm) long. Work in seed stitch for 4 rounds. Bind off loosely in pattern. Finishing: Weave in ends. Block lightly. Courtesy of Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn by Genevieve Miller. Project designed by Julie Turjoman. Potter Craft, $18.99, 2010. Available at Amazon.com.
Photos: Potter Craft, 2010
