Claxby Cowl and Mitts

To make the Claxby Cowl and fingerless Mitts you will need two 100 gm balls of 4 ply (each ball = 410 metres), a set of four 3mm double pointed needles and one 3mm circular needle 60 cm long. I used Wool is the Answer yarns with “Russett” as the main shade contrasted with “Pale Forest Green“ (www.woolistheanswer.co.uk)

This pattern will produce a cowl approximately 28cm deep with a circumference of approx. 53 cms. If a shallower cowl is required then you can reduce the number of mosaic pattern repeats. Conversely if you want it longer then add a couple more repeats. The pattern depth will produce a cowl that is deep enough to pull over the head as a snood if required but doesn’t bunch too much round the neck if worn purely as a cowl.

The mitts are sized for a small/medium hand size. If you require a medium/large size I would recommend you increase the needle size to 3.75 and knit as set. The mitts can be worked identically or with a left hand/right hand. I find that if they are worked as set it ensures the end of the round sits just slightly tucked under the side of each hand.

Although the pattern is written in the round, the cowl and mitts can be made on straight needles and seamed up the side. You will need to cast on an extra TWO stitches for both the cowl and mitts and ensure you start and end the mosaic section with an additional K1. In addition, you will work the entire items in garter stitch through knitting each row. However, I do recommend using the circular needle method as it allows the cowl to fall in a much neater fashion.

Whichever method you choose I do hope you enjoy knitting and wearing the cowl and mitts.