A tale of 2 cowls

In a recent Machine Knit-Able, we featured the Glennis Cowl, a striped cowl that used a beautiful self-striping yarn with a long repeat. Examining the pattern, I noticed that the designer used 2 stitch patterns, the white, vertical stripes (Section 1) had the self-striping colors running horizontally behind them. The designer used a slip stitch to create this look. The main body of the cowl (Section 2) was stockinette with 2 row stripes.

Immediately, my brain said ... the 2 stitch patterns (slip and stockinette stripes) will have different gauges! The original pattern gave only 1 gauge and it also stated: "Gauge is not crucial ... ) Arghhhh. Gauge is always crucial - especially for machine knitters!

I proceeded to create a cowl pattern with Section 1 knit the opposite direction of section 2 and both sections knit in 2 row stripes (in the same gauge). No worry about 2 gauges with this pattern.

Not having any self-striping yarn in my stash, I proceeded to knit my cowl in 2 solid colors that clearly show the direction of knitting.