Interval Training is a unique design, combining knitted colorwork with embroidery. The merger of these two art forms yields a gorgeous, eye-catching cowl. The pattern is a perfect way to play with color, whether it be using just two colors for maximum impact or a gradient set for a more subtle shift in hues. The colorwork and the embroidery are simple, making this pattern a marvelous introduction to both techniques. In fact, this is how the name for the pattern came to be. “Interval“ represents the 1x1 colorwork throughout the cowl and the rate of subsequent application of embroidery and “training” indicates that the design is a perfect way to practice both your colorwork and embroidery skills!
The cowl is knit in the round from the bottom up, incorporating five sections of colorwork. Decrease rounds are worked before the last three sections of colorwork to give the cowl its wearable and attractive shape.
The pattern includes separate directions for gradient and two-color cowls.
Directions for the colorwork are charted. Directions for the embroidery are also charted with written guidance on how to read the charts.
Yarn
For the gradient version:
1 skein of Marianated Yarns Playtime DK, 100% superwash merino, shown on the previous page in Stone Basin and Not Quite Black, or approximately 100 g/274 yds/250 m DK weight yarn
1 Marianated Yarns Jujubee DK Gradient Set, 100% superwash merino, shown on the previous page in Stone Basin and Stormy Skies Ahead, 6 DK weight mini-skeins with approximately 50 yds/45 m per skein
Your Main Color must be either the darkest or lightest hue from the gradient set that you choose. The gradient version will use almost all the yardage included in the main color and each of the mini skeins. It is imperative that you check your gauge, swatching the colorwork in the round, to make sure that you will have sufficient yardage to complete the project.
For the two color version:
2 skeins of Marianated Yarns Playtime DK, 100% superwash merino, shown on the previous page in Amethyst, or approximately 200 g/548 yds/500 m DK weight yarn
1 skein of Marianated Yarns Playtime DK, 100% superwash merino, shown on the previous page in Stone Basin, or approximately 100 g/274 yds/250 m DK weight yarn
Yardage required for the main color is almost exactly that of one skein. To accommodate any slight differences in gauge, 2 skeins are called for in the pattern.
Tools
24” US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles or size needed to get gauge
1 stitch marker
Darning needle
Blocking mat and pins
Gauge After Blocking
Gauge - 24 sts and 28 rows / 4” (10 cm)
Finished Measurements
Circumference at bottom: 40”; Circumference at top: 22”
Length 13.5”
Abbreviations
CC contrast color
dec decreased
k knit
k2tog knit two sts together
MC main color
p purl
rem remain(ing)
sts stitches