New Pattern: Lissanover Cowl

New Year, New Pattern! Lissanover Cowl is the second pattern release which takes its inspiration from geometric surface decoration on gold lunulae in the collection of the National Museum of Ireland (Coggalbeg Cowl was the first).  The cowl came into being as a solution to keeping my neck & shoulders warm while writing at home. It has the added benefit of no dangling scarf ends to dip into multiple cups of tea, or get in the way of the odd bit of housework one tends to squeeze in here & there while working at home. 

The cowl is knit back & forth, and top down, using a combination of mosaic knitting and slipped stitch patterns, and only one colour is worked per row. It is shaped to fit over the shoulders using a series of increases, and is finished with applied button bands. The cowl can be worn buttoned as a hood or gathered around the neck, or can be partially unbuttoned to sit lower on the shoulders as a shawl or capelet.

 The sample is knit using Toft DK Wool in Charcoal, and Toft Ulysses DK in Light Grey. I *loved* knitting with this yarn; it is so woolly, and warm, and very sheepy, but still soft enough for wearing next to skin (I am a sensitive soul, and tend to find that anything not-merino and not-superwash can be a bit prickly to my skin).

The pattern includes written and charted instructions for the stitch patterns, and is available to buy through Ravelry. 
The pattern would not have been possible without the generosity of test knitting volunteers, who have been so generous with their time, wisdom and common sense, and have been extremely patient with my sleep deprived brain*. I am so grateful for their support, and that I have realised that 'my' work is much improved when I ask for help. **

*New baby is now 5 weeks old, and sleeps about as well as can be expected, in between working on some very chubby cheeks & thighs!

**I've realised that there is such a thing as 'too independent', that help is forthcoming when one asks for it, partly thanks to This Inspiring Book.