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When I agreed to teach at the Vogue Knitting Live event in in New York City in January 2011 and everyone I talked to warned me I would freeze, it frightened me. In defense, I designed this versatile cowl. On a mild day, it can be worn with the hood pulled back, or on an especially brutal winter day, the opening becomes a slit, exposing only the eyes. On a merely cold day, the lower half of the opening tucks softly under the chin, keeping the head, ears, and neck cozy. I wore it with just my eyes showing in NYC, and felt warm, mysterious, and happy! I no longer fear East Coast winter.

The pattern is easy to follow, and would make a great gift for friends in cold climates. Personally, I can’t wait for the first really cold winter day when I can wear mine on a vigorous walk, and I am trying to decide on the color I want for my next one.

Frog Tree Chunky Alpaca is one of those indescribably soft yarns that you long to have against your skin, and luckily, it is also lovely to knit with, behaving cheerfully as you make stitches and giving cables and textures a sleek, soft look.

Pattern includes live links to my video tutorials: 1. How to create a face opening with flawless corners and 2. Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-0ff, so the opening is elastic and ready to stretch or bounce back.