STEPS TO MIDNIGHT
And the night is dark. Let's imagine Dark night, just this side of midnight. Stil. Quiet. Crisp air, moving slwly amongst wisps of clouds. Step closer to midnight, feeling the chill drawing yourself in for warmth, pulling garments around close to protect and seal. This is a cowl for night time memories. A simple but precise description of small steps through a landscape which will have its own story, in whatever colour or weight yarn you choose. The pattern is inspired from one of my favourite socks - Jewelled Steps by Cat Bhordi This can be easily adjusted for tighter step patterns, or for thicker wools by varying the stitch count - as long as the number is divisible to get an even number of stitches between each set of wraps.
MATERIALS
Shibui Sock Yarn - Ink, 1 skein 2.5mm circular needle [40cm] 1 stitch marker
GAUGE 14st x 21 rows $=$ 5cm
ABBREVIATIONS
K-Knit P-Purl W2 - Wrap 2 stitches. Slip two stitches from left needle knit wise to right needle, pass yarn around from front to back, slip both stitches back to left needle, bring yarn to back, wrap around back and repeat slipping and wrapping - you have now wrapped 2 stitches with two threads of yarn, creating a 'step'. Now knit the two stitches as normal, making sure the yarn wraps are not pulled too tight.
TO MAKE
Cast on 140 stitches and join for working in the round. Place stitch marker at beginning of round, and Purl one row. Knit one row. Purl 2 rows. Set up pattern rows - Note: pattern is worked over 4 rows and 10 stitches, and each pattern repeat shifts one stitch to the right, creating a diagonal pattern line running vertically. Pattern Row 1 - Knit Pattern Row 2 - Knit Pattern Row $3-{}^{\star}{\sf K}8$ ， $W_{2}{}^{\star}$ repeat to end of round Pattern Row 4 - K10, W2 $^{\star}\mathsf{K}8$ $W_{2}{}^{\star}$ repeat to end of round On second patten repeat, knit Pattern Rows 1-2 as above,then continue as follows. Pattern Row 3 - K7, W2 $^{\star}\mathsf{K}8$ ， $W_{2}{}^{\star}$ repeat to end of round Pattern Row 4 - K9, W2 $^{\star}\mathsf{K}8$ $W_{2}{}^{\star}$ repeat to end of round On third pattern repeat, knit Pattern Rows 1-2 as above, then continue as follows. Pattern Row 3 - K6, W2 $^{\star}\mathsf{K}8$ $W_{2}{}^{\star}$ repeat to end of round Patternrow $4-{}^{\star}{\sf K}8$ , W2 \* repeat to end of round Continue as established, shifing stepped stitches 1 stitch to the right each time til piece measures 16cm from cast on edge or desired length has been reached -I think it would be really good to go longer, and use a second skein to get a good depth and scrunch. End with a Pattern Row 2. Purl 2 rows. Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row. Cast offusing EZ Sewn Cast Off [see note at end]. Weave in ends and gently steam press or block as desired. NOTE: EZ Sewn Cast Off: Cut yarn leaving a length about 5 times the circumference of the cowl. Thread a wool needle, and pass the needle through the first two stitches on the left needle as if to purl, and pullthread through. Pass needle back through first stitch as if to knit, and pullstitch off, pulling thread snug. Pass needle back through first two stitches on left needle as if to purl, and continue until all stitches have been sewn off, and firmly sew in the last stitch and weave in ends. This gives a nice neat, and very natural, bind off which has some stretch.
