I love having patterns that I can return to time and again. Those special designs that work as a blank canvas so that you can add your own special touches – handspun yarn, stripes, fading, using up odds and ends to create ever-changing, unique knits. A pattern you can relax into as you knit it again and again. For me – that is the DRK Everyday Cowl, with its soothing garter stitch and polished slip stitches and I-cord edges. I’ve already knit 5 myself, and have no plans of stopping anytime soon!

This cowl is knit flat, on the bias, and seamed at the back neck to create a cowl that wears like a triangle shawl (with none of the fuss!) This pattern includes sizes for the whole family!

BONUS
As mentioned above, I’ve knit quite a few of these – including a couple faded versions. I thought it would be fun to include my fading notes, as a fun bonus for you in the pattern itself! I created my fades by diving into my stash for fingering weight yarn that I held double for a marled fade!

SIZES
Toddler (Youth, Adult Small, Adult Large)

The samples are shown in the Adult Small size, the wearer is 5’5” and with a 35”/89 cm chest.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Neck Circumference: Circumference – 17 (19, 23, 25)”/43.5 (48.5, 58.5, 63.5) cm
Back Neck Depth: 5.25 (7.25, 9.25, 9.25)”/13.5 (18.5, 23.5, 23.5) cm

YARN REQUIREMENTS
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

DK Weight Wool Yarn
Total approximate yardage per size: 59 (91, 139, 151) g/150 (230, 354, 384) yds/138 (211, 324, 351) m

SUGGESTED YARN
For this cowl I chose a DK weight yarn, as that tends to be a common yarn weight we have kicking around in our stash, but also because we can hold 2 strands of fingering weight yarn to easily achieve the same weight! 

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Size US 6/4 mm (24”/60 cm circular needle)
Cord length is not crucial since this piece is worked flat. (Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge.)

NOTIONS
Scissors, measuring tape, tapestry needle and a row counter is recommended

GAUGE
18.5 sts & 38 rows = 4”/10 cm

TECHNIQUES TO INDULGE IN
Long Tail Cast On
Knitting on the bias
Slipping stitches
Increasing
Decreasing
I-cord edges
I-cord bind off
Seaming
Striping or fading (optional)