Welcome back to the Guest Blogger series on KnitterKnotter! Here, you will find free patterns shared by some very talented bloggers from around the world!
I am so excited to share the Bushwalking Cowl and headband pattern designed by Karla Barrett. I am extra happy with this one because it is the first knitting pattern on my blog! Check out her other patterns in her Blog, Ravelry and Etsy stores and you can also follow her on social media: Instagram and Pinterest.
** All the pictures in this blog post are provided by Karla.
Click here to pin this pattern for later —>>
Meet the designer
My name is Karla and prior to the pandemic I was a part time scientist, full time mum of two who loves to crochet and knit! I am now full time teaching my kids due to lockdown measures and more than ever my crafting has been a great distraction. I love creating a variety of items, mostly things I can wear. I learnt to knit has a young girl and only recently did I really expand my knitting and crochet skills. I now enjoy pattern designing!
Inspiration for the pattern and the yarn
I love to run and bushwalk along the many stunning trails that Melbourne has to offer. I designed the Bushwalker cowl / headband for the early risers, who love to see the sunrise but also keep warm in winter! The cowl is designed tall and narrow to sit snuggly on your neck and keep the chill away, whilst the headband will keep your ears warm. With nature in mind, I designed some simple color work which is a great stash buster. With some simple embroidery stitches the gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves really pop!
This beginner level knit project is a perfect introduction to color work. With an easy to read chart and using scrap yarn you can create a gorgeous and practical cowl/ headband that will keep your neck and ears warm on those frosty winter days.
I use a combination of yarns – it is a great stash buster project! This pattern requires dk yarn and I used 100% Australian wool (from Bendigo Woollen Mills or the 4 seasons brand which is stocked at spotlight). The cowl and headband are adorned with cute embroidery stitches which will make the eucalyptus leaves and gum nut blossoms really pop. These motifs are created with embroidery thread or 2 ply cotton.
Pattern
This pattern is available for free on the KnitterKnotter blog. I would love to see your projects on Instagram! Tag your posts with:
@knitterknotter
#knitterknotter
@yarn_tales_by_karla
#thebushwalkercowl,
#thebushwalkerheadband
The ad-free PDF version of this pattern comes with written instructions and ‘easy to read’ charts.
What you will need (with clickable affiliate links)
-
Dk yarn in four different colours (I used 4 seasons pure wool and Bendigo Woollenmills)
- Cowl – Color A: 130m, Color B: 20m, Color C: 20m, Color D: 20m
- Headband – Color A: 82 m, Color B: 20m, Color C: 20m
- 4mm circular needles (~55cm/ 21.5”)
- Yarn needle
- Embroidery cotton or 2 ply cotton in green, yellow and red (or color combinations you like for the leaf and gum nut blossoms).
Experience level
Beginner
Gauge
22 stitches and 28 rows worked in stockinette = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)
Sizing
Cowl: One size fits most
Height: 20.5 cm/ 8”
Width: 27.5cm/ 10.6”
Headband
Height:
Toddler / Child: 10cm; 4”
Adult (S) / Adult (L): 15.2cm; 6”
Width:
Toddler: 43 cm; 17”
Child: 47 cm; 18.5”
Adult (S): 51 cm; 20”
Adult (L): 55 cm; 21.5”
Abbreviations
- CO – Cast On
- K – Knit
- P – Purl
- FO – Finish Off
- PM – Place Marker
Resources
Tutorial by Karla for embroidering leaf and gum nuts
Tutorial by VeryPinks Knits for examples of binding off using a stretchy method
Instructions – Cowl
In colour A, CO 132 sts using the long tail method. You will now be working on the round, be careful not to twist your yarn when joining. PM.
Follow the instructions below to make the cowl. Alternatively, follow Color Chart (available in the PDF version – see the Pattern section). Instructions in square brackets need to be repeated the total number of times denoted. You will have 13 leaf motifs / gum nuts in total.
| Round | Stitch |
| 1-8 | 3×3 Ribbing (K3x P3); In colour A |
| 9-13 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 14 | K1 (A), K1 (B); [K5 (A), K1 (B)] x21; K4 (A) |
| 15 | [K1 (B), K1 (A), K1 (B), K3 (A)]x22 |
| 16 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 17 | Repeat Row 14 |
| 18 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 19 | Kin all sts; In colour B (FO with B) |
| 20-22 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 23 | [K9 (A), K1 (C)] x13; K2 (A). |
| 24-26 | K7 (A), K2 (C). [K8 (A), K2 (C)]x12. K3 (A). |
| 27-28 | K6 (A), K3 (C). [K7 (A), K3 (C)]x12. K3 (A). |
| 29-30 | K5 (A), K4 (C). [K6 (A), K4 (C)]x12. K3 (A). |
| 31-33 | K5 (A), K3 (C). [K7 (A), K3 (C)]x12. K4 (A). |
| 34 | K5 (A), K2 (C). [K8 (A), K2 (C)]x12. K5 (A). |
| 35 | K4(A), K1 (C). [K9 (A), K1 (C)]x12. K7 (A). |
| 36 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 37 | K3(A), K1(D), K1 (C). [K8 (A), K1(D), K1 (C)]x12. K7 (A). |
| 38 | K2(A), K2(D), K1(A), K2 (C). [K5(A), K2(D), K1(A), K2 (C)]x12. K5 (A). FO with D. |
| 39 | Repeat Round 34 |
| 40-41 | Repeat round 31 |
| 42-43 | K6 (A), K2 (C). [K8 (A), K2 (C)]x12. K4(A). |
| 44 | K7 (A), K1 (C). [K9 (A), K1 (C)]x12. K4(A). FO with C |
| 45-47 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 48 | Kin all sts; In colour B |
| 49 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 50 | Repeat round 14 |
| 51 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 52 | Repeat round 15 |
| 53 | Repeat round 14. FO with B |
| 54-58 | K in all sts; In colour A |
| 59-66 | 3×3 Ribbing (K3 x P3); In colour A |
Binding off – Bind off using a stretchy method (refer to the video in the Resources section). Weave in ends and block.
Embroidering Leaf and Gum Nuts (refer to the video in the Resources section) –
Using the lazy daisy embroidery stitch, yarn needle and cotton thread create 6 petals on the gum nut motif (Color D, rows 37-38).
With green cotton thread and using the stem embroidery stitch, create the centre of the leaf (optional).
Instructions – Headband
In colour A, CO 88, 96, 104, 112 sts using long tail method. You will now be working in the round, be careful not to twist your yarn when joining. PM.
Follow the written instructions below for the Headband. Alternatively, follow Color Chart (available in the PDF version – see the Pattern section).
Written instructions for the Toddler and Child sizes:
| Round | Stitch |
| 1-4 | 2×2 Ribbing (K2 x P2); In colour A |
| 5 | K1 (A), K1 (B). [K3 (A), K1 (B)]x21, 23, K2 (A) |
| 6 | [K1 (B), K1 (A)] x44, 48 |
| 7 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 8 | Repeat Round 5 |
| 9 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 10 | K in all sts; In colour B (FO with B) |
| 11-12 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 13 | K1 (A), K1 (C). [K7 (A), K1 (C)]x10, 11; K6 (A) |
| 14 | [K3 (C), K5 (A)]x11, 12(FO with C) |
| 15-18 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 19 | K in all sts; In colour B |
| 20 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 21 | Repeat Round 5 |
| 22 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 23 | Repeat Round 6 |
| 24 | Repeat Round 5 (FO with B) |
| 25-28 | 2×2 Ribbing (K2x P2); In colour A |
You will have 11, 12 gum nut motifs in total. Bind off using a stretchy method (refer to the video in the Resources section). Weave ends and block.
Written instructions for the Adult (Small) and Adult (Large) sizes:
| Round | Stitch |
| 1-6 | 2×2 Ribbing (K2 x P2); In colour A |
| 7 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 8 | K1 (A), K1 (B). [K3 (A), K1 (B)]x25, 27; K2 (A) |
| 9 | [K1 (B), K1 (A) x52, 56 |
| 10 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 11 | Repeat Round 8 |
| 12 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 13 | K in all sts; In colour B (FO with B) |
| 14-19 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 20 | K1 (A), K1 (C). [K7 (A), K1 (C)] x12, 13; K6 (A). |
| 21 | [K3 (C), K5 (A)] x13, 14(FO with C) |
| 22-27 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 28 | K in all sts; In colour B |
| 29 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 30 | Repeat Round 8 |
| 31 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 32 | Repeat Round 9 |
| 33 | Repeat Round 8 (FO with B) |
| 34 | Kin all sts; In colour A |
| 35-40 | 2×2 Ribbing (K2x P2); In colour A |
You will have 13, 14 gum nut motifs in total. Bind off using a stretchy method (refer to the video in the Resources section). Weave ends and block.
Embroidering gum nut blossoms – Using the lazy daisy embroidery stitch, yarn needle and cotton thread (red) create 6 petals on the gum nut motif (Color C, rows 20-21). With a contrast color of your choice (e.g. yellow), add a French-knot embroidery stitch on top of each petal to mimic gum-nut blossoms. Refer to the video in the Resources section.
Other patterns you might be interested in
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