Apr 23 2008
Lichen It
Over the years of blogging, people have asked me why I don’t design knitting patterns. It definitely is not for the lack of ideas and inspirations… but I have a hard time moving from that conceptual state to a real, tangible knit. And, there is a lot of math, and swatching, and sizing involved - none of my fortes, as they say. So, I simply enjoy picking and choosing from the incredible and ever-growing canon of knitting patterns in this world.
What if you have an idea for a pattern that doesn’t require math, swatches, and sizing? of course, it is simple. It is easy and customizable… and not really anything new, but an interesting “take” on it, nonetheless. I have joined the “Cowl Craze” that is currently sweeping Flickr and Ravelry, and I offer up my own variation on the theme. Parikha did it, Orinda did it, and Kirsten did it last week!
Lichen Cowl
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool
Needles: Size US 8 (5.0mm) 16″ circulars
Download PDF here
This cowl was inspired by the varying shades and textures of lichens. Knit simply in the round with added texture of purl rows and color changes, this cowl can be worn with the “right” and “wrong” side out. One side offers the purl bump texture, while the other displays alternating stripes. The cowl can also be worn simply draped over the neck and shoulders, or looped twice for a snug warmer fit around the neck.
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The variant green shades - both Cascade 220 from the stash - were not colors that I would normally pair together. The military green (colorway 9429) and the heathery teal (colorway 9451) were both purchased many years ago at my local yarn shop. The pattern uses about 100 yards of each skein, with plenty leftover for another cowl, a hat, or some matching mitts.
I knit this cowl for Project Spectrum’s Earth element (greens!), as well as the Lord Stanley Stashbusting knitalong on Ravelry. This cowl was on the needles through several important Round 1 playoff games. Round 2 starts this week! what else can I make? 
This pattern can be found in the web format on my newly minted Patterns page, or as a downloadable PDF. You can also add it to your Ravelry queue!
Delurking to say thanks so much for this pattern. I’ve been looking for some simple stashbusting patterns and I’ve added this to my Ravelry queue.
And I just have to say how much I LOVE your blog. It’s one of the best out there in knitting blogland. Well done.
It’s beautiful! I love seeing your unusual color combos.
I love this! The colors look so lovely together. Thanks for the pattern!
Love the color combo! Thanks for sharing the pattern.
I know exactly how you feel about pattern-writing; all that math is just too off-putting for me. I love the colors you chose for your cowl, and even better that it’s a stashbuster!
That will be a nice way to use up bits of handspun! Thanks for the inspiration and, of course, for sharing your pattern!
I saw this on your flickr photos. Very lovely!
very cute! i love how both sides are equally enjoyable!
this is very cute and it’s my kind of design. i have tons of design ideas as well, but right now i’m just too busy to follow through and write a “proper” pattern, and then to have it test-knit and proofread, etc. i’m not even afraid of the math! but i think of my patterns more as knitting suggestions, if you know what i mean.
I have just finished five cowls and added this one to my queue. Addicted? Maybe.
I, too, am terrible at swatching, sizing, etc. I prefer to stick to the available patterns of this world, like this one!
I love it, and will definitely be knitting it.
Now off to place it in my Ravelry queue…
Looks great! Love the colors. I wear cowls & scarves constantly at work, they are a nice add on when the weather can’t deside if it wants to be 60* or 80* gotta love SO CAL.
Love the colour combo
Love it! The colors are great!
The cowl really has been going around lately…hahaha sounds like a disease…I amuse myself sometimes.
very cool!! i heart this cowl craze going on! Must get my entry in too
Love yours!
Great pattern! Looks fab on you!
I really like those colors together. Good job!
Lovely idea and color combination!!
When I see great projects, I always want to ask about how they knew the colors went well together. What do you consider when putting together several colors? value? tone? Actually, I have just started learning my personal color one month ago.
Lichen it - ha, you are too funny! I’m so glad to see your first foray into pattern-writing. It’s a great little accessory, and I hope many others make it.
Very cute! I love the color combination you chose and the texture. Thanks for the pattern!
Congrats on publishing a pattern! Love the colours.
Mazel Tov to you, you budding designer!
Congratulations on the new pattern! I just bought a hank of the new Manos Silk Blend to make myself a cowl…maybe I’ll make lichen!
The colors are unexpected together, but they are beautiful. Good job!
I’m with you Lolly- I always “customize” a patten to make it my own but why re-invent the wheel? While I technically could write patterns, I’m perfectly happy to knit what’s already out there.
The cowl is lovely!
Thats lovely Lolly. I have got serious cowl addiction at the moment! I love the ease of them, knitting and wearing.
Yikes! I did it too! (I didn’t even realize.) I love the colors you used so much.
So cute Lolly! I keep thinking of you and this pattern every time I pop over to Webs’ sale. (They’ve got 220 on sale for cheep-o!) Yes, I do revisit their sale more often than I care to admit!
I really love the name you chose for this pattern.
[…] sock yarn stash to find more yarns to hold together to make more cowls. I am particularly loving Lolly’s new cowl pattern. This has led to the discovery that I have very small amounts of yarn over fingering weight. There […]
I am lovin’ the cowl craze that’s happening these days.
Very fun - Lichen has such cute stripes.
That’s a really cute cowl. I wouldn’t have thought to put those colors together, either, but now that I see it I really love the combination. I got to try on owlandacorn’s Malabrigo chunky cowl today and now I want one, too…
Wow! that’s a great color combo - thanks for sharing the pattern.