Cereus, named after the cacti of the same name, has a wavy-like edging similar to the Cereus cacti. After a harsh and cold winter, everyone is pining for some warmth and greenery. This cowl can be draped almost like a caplet or bunched up around the neck.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 19″ deep in the front, 6″ deep at the back, 50″ bottom circumference, 28″ top neck circumference.
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 335 yards [306 meters]/100 grams): Fresco y seco (1 ball)
Needles: US size 8 (5 mm) 32” circular, US size 10 (6.0 mm) 32” circular
Notions: Removable markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle or crochet hook to weave in ends.
Special Stitches
Decreased Lace Bind Off
K2togtbl, *sl the st back to left needle; rep from * to last st, break yarn and pull through to finish.
Pattern Notes
The cowl is worked flat like a shawl, beginning with a very few cast-on sts, with increases similar to a triangular shawl. When the desired neck circumference is reached, the cowl is joined in the round. The lace pattern is then work for 2 repeats and the cowl is then bound off using the Decreased Lace Bind Off method.
Pattern
Using smaller needles, CO 3 sts.
Knit 9 rows (4 garter ridges and a row).
Note: The larger needles are used only for bind off.
Garter Tab Set-up
Row 1 (RS): Pick up and k3 sts along the short end of the tab, rotate work 90 deg to the left, (yo, pickup and k1 from garter bump) twice along the long edge of the tab, pm, pickup and k1, pm, (pickup and k1 from garter bump, yo) twice, rotate work 90 deg to the left and k3 along the CO edge. (15 sts)
Row 2 (WS): K3, (p1 tbl, p1) twice, sm, p1 (this is the center st), sm, (p1, p1 tbl) twice, k3
Note: You will now increase 6 sts every RS row and 2 sts every WS row, using a combination of kfb and yo increases.
Row 3: K2, yo, kfb, k to center st, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 3 sts, kfb, yo, k2. (21 sts, 6 sts increased)
Row 4: K2, yo, p to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (2 sts increased, 23 sts)
Rep last 2 rows until there are 189 sts on needles, ending on a RS row.
Remove all markers. Join in the rnd and place a BOR (beginning of rnd) marker.
Note: Weigh yarn remaining at the end of the stockinette stitch body and at the end of the first lace rep. This will help you determine how much yarn you have on hand to work subsequent lace reps.
Lace Border
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnds 2-4: Purl.
Rnds 5-8: Knit.
Rnd 9: *K2tog, k8, (yo, k1) twice, k7, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnds 10 and 12: *K2tog, k17, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 11: *K2tog, k6, (yo, k1) 4 times, k5, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 13: *K2tog, k4, (yo, k1) 8 times, k3, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 14: *K2tog, k21, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 15: *K2tog, (k2tog, yo) 4 times, k3, (yo, ssk) 4 times, ssk; rep from * to BOR.
Rnds 16-18, 20: Knit.
Rnd 19: *(Ssk, k2, yo) twice, ssk, k3, yo, (ssk, k2, yo) twice; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 21: *K1, (yo, ssk, k2) twice, k1, (yo, ssk, k2) twice, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to BOR.
Rnd 22: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1-22 once more.
Using larger needles, BO all sts using the decreased lace bind off technique.
Finishing
Because of the three-dimensional shape, the easiest way to block is to fold your cowl in half with the folds at the back and the front. Lay it flat and pin out the points through both layers. You may need to flip it over and re-pin after the top side dries.
Weave in ends when the cowl is dry.
View this post on Instagram