Svīre

Slender and swift birds loop high up in the air. Their high-pitched call resonates in my ears. Every summer, all summer long. Those are warm memories... These calls echo in my head, long after the birds have gone. Always on the move, from South to North and back, traveling thousands of kilometers, restlessly, tirelessly.

Svīre is the name of the Common Swift in Latvian, an amazing migratory bird that has punctuated my youth and oh so many warm summers. If a bird makes summer, it would be this one, undeniably!

The Svīre cowl is an elegant lacy and drapey cowl whose intricate patterns evoke birds in flight. Get ready for the great (lacy) journey ahead while wrapping yourself in comfort.

For best effect, use a drapey yarn with reasonably good stitch definition. Yarn weights ranging from lace and fingering to DK would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend solid, semi-solid, speckled, or gradient (single skein or gradient set) yarns.

The yarn originally used in this pattern has become hard to source. This pattern page therefore lists possible substitutes using the exact same yarn base. For more possible substitutes with the same yarn composition, check out this Ravelry search: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/search#weight=fingering&fiberc=2&discontinued=no&ya=single-ply&fiber-content=silk+merino&sort=best&view=thumblist

How to pronounce "Svīre": Click here

Yarn
Rêves Pastel Yarns Paysages Fingering (Fingering, 70% Merino, 30% Silk, 400 meters / 437 yards per 100 grams); 1 skein; sample uses 70 grams in color Raspberry Red. (Previously sold as Secret Garden or Shleep Yarns)
Alternative yarns: The Uncommon Thread Silky Singles, Q-Lana Merino Silk single, Martin’s Lab Silky Singles.

Needles
3 mm (US size 2.5) 80 cm / 32 inches circular needle or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge
26.5 stitches and 38.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, unblocked.
16 stitches and 32 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stitch pattern C – The Journey, blocked.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.

Notions
Removable stitch markers: 1 in color A (beginning-of-round marker), 9 in color B (optional). Tapestry needle. Blocking pins. Blocking wires (optional).

Size
One; easily customizable.

Final measurements
Circumference (c): 120 cm / 47.25 inches, height (h): 31 cm / 12 inches.

Skill level
Basic stitches, single and double increases, decreases. Main stitch pattern requiring some attention. Lace patterning on odd rounds only. Easy patterning on even rounds. Elastic BO. Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.

Pattern notes
This pattern is worked in the round. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided as well as clear video tutorials for the used stitches and techniques.

Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.

Thank you note
Many thanks to Naomi Parkhurst of Gannet Designs who created an original stitch pattern used in this pattern.

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

We all love knitting, right?! I'd like to gift you the Apis Florea cowl and have you all spread the love for knitting even more :-) This gift is available to everyone.

To receive the cowl, you can register here. You will receive the link to download the pattern PDF after confirming your email address and you will get a free subscription to The Explorers Weekly newsletter, with tips, inspiration, updates on new pattern releases along with exclusive coupon codes for discounts that I don't share anywhere else.

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

We all love knitting, right?! I certainly do! I'd like to gift you a cowl and doing so spread the love for knitting even more :-) This gift is available to everyone.

Curious about which cowl that is? Head over to the Skeinwalker freebie page to find out!. Upon registering and confirming your email address, you will receive the link to download the pattern PDF, and you will get a free subscription to The Explorers Weekly newsletter, with tips, inspiration, updates on new pattern releases along with exclusive coupon codes for discounts that I don't share anywhere else.