Counting the Days

(The above 4 pictures feature an infinity cowl, either modeled by me or hanging on a branch. The cowl is striped, with small stripes in garter and simple lace.)

Advent kit aficionados rejoice - this pattern is the perfect solution to those tiny leftovers! Get one more pattern out of your advent kit without splitting it up, or make your own kit from scraps. Relaxing garter alternates with simple lace, and each stripe is over so quick you won’t want to stop knitting until you’re done!

This cowl is provisionally cast on and worked flat, horizontally in stripes, until the desired length is reached. It’s finished with a three-needle bind-off. It can be easily lengthened or shortened by adding/subtracting repeats. If you have slightly less than 5g for your scraps, consider working only 1 or 2 garter ridges at the beginning and end of each color.
If you’d prefer a scarf, simply use your favorite cast-on and bind-off and just do the “Work Stripes” section until desired length is reached. Note: if you opt to make a scarf, you’ll need approximately 10 additional colors (additional 50g total) to get a 65 in / 165 cm scarf.

Both charts and written instructions are provided.

A low-vision version of the pattern is also available. This version is written in 24 point sans serif font (Arial) in all black text. It has no italics. All of the directions are fully written out.

Finished size
45 x 7 in / 114 x 18 cm
Yarn
Light fingering or fingering weight in your favorite fiber
Sample shown in Canon Hand Dyes Charles Merino in East of Eden 24-color gradient set (80% merino / 20% nylon).
Yardage
Each color (24 total) : 20 yd / 18 m (approximately 5g)
Total: 480 yd / 432 m
Gauge
28 st, 36 rows per 4 in / 10 cm in garter; gauge is not critical for this project, but differences may affect the size of the finished scarf or the amount of yarn needed
Materials
US 5 / 3.75 mm 24 in / 60 cm circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions
embroidery needle
crochet hook for provisional cast-on
waste yarn for provisional cast-on

This pattern was tech-edited by snooptiggercrafts.

Sharing photos of your brand new cowl? Tag @laur_oftheblings on instagram and use hashtags #CountingCowl and #LOTBKnits