Bulky Lace Cowl knitting pattern "Flammes"

I love cowls. They are the perfect accessory for cold days to wear around your neck. “Flammes” is the French word for flames, that’s what the pattern reminds me of. I thought I’d boast a little with my knowledge of French…

The cowl is worked flat in an easy lace pattern. There are two versions; one starts with a provisional cast on and ends by grafting with kitchener stitch for a seamless look. The other is joined by buttons, and thus requires buttonholes and great buttons!

The lace pattern is both written and charted.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate (provisional cast on and kitchener grafting or working buttonholes, lace)

• k: knit
• p: purl
• garter stitch: knit all stitches
• yo: yarn over
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
• skp: slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over the knit stitch (1 stitch decreased)
• s2kp: slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over the knit stitch (2 stitches decreased)

Gauge: 17 stitches/21 rows in pattern = 10cm/4in

60/120cm (24/48in) in circumference, 23cm (9 1/4in) in width. The buttoned cowl has overlapping ends, the strip needs to be a little longer.

Yarn: Four Seasons Gründl Spettacolo (70% polyester, 30% wool; 179m/100g; 196yds/3.53oz), 1 ball for the short version, 2 balls for the long version. Short sample used up 152m (166yds); long sample used up 213m (233yds).

Needles: 6mm/US 10

Notions: Yarn needle, yarn scraps for provisional cast on (for the grafted version)
yarn needle, 4 buttons in size 2cm (3/4in), sewing needle and sewing thread (for the buttoned version)