Fall Aspen Cowl

I love to contemplate the beauty of nature and its cycle through the seasons. While flora and fauna instinctively follow this cycle, we knitters typically do, too. Whether it’s designating summers for knitting lace or reserving heavier yarns for winter, we often let the seasons influence our projects. Although the final product and its intended use surely play a part in when we knit a particular type of pattern, there is much to be said about the process and how we feel while we are knitting.

Having grown up in Colorado, nature created a spectacular backdrop to my childhood. I especially loved the Aspen trees near my home. This collection of patterns is inspired by those striking trees. The Fall Aspen Cowl features a tessellated pattern that captures my memories of an Aspen’s delicate golden leaves glittering in the bright fall sunshine. 

This cowl is a great project to begin your stranded knitting journey where you can learn to read a colorwork chart and hone your stranded knitting skills. The double-layered cowl is the perfect accessory for crisp fall weather.

The Fall Aspen Cowl is worked in the round with two colors. It starts with a provisional cast-on that will later be grafted with the bind-off edge using Kitchener Stitch. This method creates a double-layered cowl that has no visible wrong side. Written with one circumference, the height of the cowl is adjustable.

SIZES

24 in (61 cm) circumference, 12.75 in (32 cm) in height. Once seamed, the finished cowl will be half the height of the knitted piece. Length before seaming will be 25.5 in (64 cm).

MODIFICATIONS

1 pattern repeat (14 sts) adds 2 in (5 cm) to the circumference. 

1 chart repeat (28 rnds) adds 3.75 in (9.5 cm) to the length before seaming, or about 2 in (5 cm) to the finished height.

Provisional Cast-On

Knitting in the round 

Stranded Colorwork

Ladder Back Jacquard 

Kitchener Stitch

US 5 (3.75 mm) needles for knitting in the round.

Crochet hook and scrap yarn for provisional cast-on

1 BOR marker and 11 regular stitch markers to separate repeats

Additional circular needle for picking up cast-on sts

Darning needle

Communication: Above all else, I require good communication from my testers! As soon as you have a question, a problem with the pattern, a suggestion for improvement, or worry you won't meet the deadline, I need to know so we can find a solution together. I also want to hear about your progress regularly, at least once a week, via the chat room. This way, I know you are on target for the deadline. If I don't hear from you I can only assume the test isn't being worked on.

Photos: I require at least one, well-lit, clear photo of your finished object. The more photos the better though. These photos may be used in social media posts and my newsletter to help promote the pattern. Please include these photos on your Ravelry project page.

Social Media: I am looking for testers who are willing to help promote my design on social media, both during the test and at the pattern launch. You can do this by posting about your progress, experience,  and your finished object. Frequent posting is encouraged on any of the platforms listed, please make sure to tag me so I see the post. I am @just_1_more_thing on Instagram and TikTok, @just1morethingdesigns on the Making App, and @Just1MoreThing on Facebook. You can also use the hashtags; #just1morething and #FallAspenCowl in your posts. 

Modifications: I am very flexible about modifications such as; using an alternate cast-on or bind-off, the yarn you use, and the size you make, or changing the kind of increase or decrease used. Major changes to stitch patterns (substituting garter st for brioche, or the type of ribbing, placement of a colorwork motif) are not allowed. You need to let me know about the modifications ahead of time and keep very good notes about what you changed for your Ravelry project page.

Ravelry Project Page: All projects must have a Ravelry Project Page. If you are unable to access Ravelry, please let me know and I will send you a google form to fill in your information and I will set up a pattern page on your behalf. In the Pattern Name field please enter the code TEST-JK-T4FRRN so your project will be automatically linked to the pattern once it's published. In addition to your notes on yarn, gauge, yardage, needles, and any modifications, please include at least one well-lit photo of your finished object.

Yarn: You are not required to use the same yarn as I have listed for the sample. I encourage using yarn you already have on hand! I can help calculate math changes if you need to use a different weight yarn than called for. 

If you would prefer to buy yarn for this project there is a 30% discount available from Yarn Social KC for test knitting via this form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmVnw16U4-3KnYWpjBM5Ksh07GW0QMYifdfbX1COAsz4TMhA/viewform

The designer is offering discounted or free pattern(s) to testers

To thank you for helping me test this pattern you will receive a code to download one of my previous patterns for free along with the finished copy of this pattern in your Ravelry library (or emailed to you if you are not on Ravelry). In order to receive these patterns I must have your:

•  YarnPond feedback
• A completed Ravelry Project page: It must include, the yarn used, yardage used, gauge, needle size, a photo, and notes about any modifications
• At least one clear photo of the finished object
• At least two social media posts promoting the pattern

The designer has created the following milestones, in order to keep track of progress during the test knit. By marking off each milestone as you complete it, you can easily keep the designer up to date with your progress.