Joels halsvarmare
Designed by Kristel Nyberg. For private non-commercial use. The designer may be contacted through Ravelry, username Kristel, or by email, kristel@iki.fi. This neckwarmer is a quick knit for kids. I named the piece very simply "Joel's neckwarmer", as it was knit for my son Joel. The instructions are easy to adjust for smaller and larger sizes, check the tips at the end.
Yarn and yardage
Any worsted weight yarn that is soft against the neck, ca 100 g = 200 m, ca 70-80 g for one neckwarmer. The photographed version knit in Cascade Venezia Worsted, 100 g = 200 m (70 % merino wool, 30 % silk) colourway179.
Gauge
Ca 20 sts and 32 rnds = 10 cm st st in the round
Needles
Circular needles, 3,5 mm or size to get gauge
Extras
Stitch marker to mark beginning of rnd. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Size
Children, ca 5 to 10 years of age, easily resizeable
Pattern
Cast on 100 sts on circular needles. Mark the beginning of the rnd with a stith marker. Work in k2 - p3 ribbing ca 6 cm. (This part will be folded down and the side showing p2 - k3 will be visible on the Outside.) On following rnd work decreases as follows: \*K2, p2tog, p1\*, repeat \*-\* to end of round. 80 sts remain. Continue in k2 - p2 ribbing ca 6 cm. On following rnd begin increases. \*Make 1 st, k2, make 1 st, p2\*. Repeat \*-\* to end of round. (Increase the stitches in the way that seems easiest for you. I worked as follows: k1 into the stitch under the following stitch, then k 2, then k 1 into the stitch under the stitch I just worked.) Work 3 rnds in k4 - p2 ribbing. Then work following increase rnd. Make 1 st, k4, make 1 st, p2. Work 5 rnds in k6 - p2 ribbing. On following rnd work increases on the edges of the knit wedge as above. Work 7 rnds in k8 - p2 ribbing. On following rnd work increases on the edges of the knit wedge as above. Work 9 rnds in k10 - p2 ribbing. On following rnd work increases on the edges of the knit wedge as above. Continue in k12, p2 ribbing until the knit wedges (measured from the first increase rnd) measure ca 11-15 cm. Cast off loosely in k12, p2 ribbing. The neckwarmer can be put to use right off the needles, just weave in the ends. The edge will lay flat better, though, if you wash the piece and let it dry. Take care not to stretch the ribbing when wet!
Tips
Resizing or substituting a finer or heavier yarn is simple: just begin with a number of stitches divisible with 5. Add stitches if you use a finer yarn or want to make a larger piece and start with fewer stitches if you use a heavier yarn or wan to make a smaller piece. For finer yarn or a larger neckwarmer you might need an additional increase round. In case you are uncertain of the number of stitches to cast on, use the number you would cast on for a hat in that yarn for the person and round down to the closest number that is divisible with 5.
