GENERAL Tip: don't forget the that the last row of a chart is

Tip: cut up straws to make stitch markers that are light generally a WS row or round, even if it is not
and can easily be manipulated specifically mentioned.
Tip: when choosing colors, if there is one you think Tip: if you are running short of yarn, you can work
might run, do not put it next to a light color, disguise fewer repeats of Chart A
it by putting it next to a darker color. Alternately, you
could pre-wash the skein (for example, Ruby might STRIPED SECTIONS
bleed into Riverstone). Tip: leave C1 attached to cowl while knitting Chart A
Tip: if you think you might run out of yarn, weigh your with C2. If you want to rip, you can do so without
yarn and calculate how much each round takes vs. cutting yarn. When you begin to use C1 again, just
how much yarn remains. make sure you have enough to clip the tail in half
Tip: Items knit back and forth have “rows;” items knit in and weave in later on. (This also goes for C3 while
the round have “rounds.” working Chart B in C1)
Tip: to correct small lace mishaps like missing a Tip: the stockinette will pull in and be naturally tighter
yarnover or adding a yarnover, it isn’t necessary to than the lace, so make sure not to knit those rounds
rip. Just correct on next round. For a missing too tight. If necessary, go up a needle size. In the
yarnover, pick up the bar between stitches and knit end, it will likely all block out except for the most
into it; for an extra yarnover, just drop on next round. heinous gauge discrepancies.
This will block out. At first when you start knitting Tip: if you are running short of yarn in striped sections,
lace, it is advisable to use stitch markers and count you can omit stripe rounds but, because the jogless
the number of stitches between markers to make sure join technique is used and this moves the start of
you haven’t added or subtracted stitches. round, you will need to make up for this by moving
the start of round by a number of stitches
CASTING ON corresponding to the number of stripes omitted so that
Tip: use a crochet hook to crochet onto your knitting the lace patterns will be properly placed.
needles with waste yarn. This type of provisional cast
on is extremely simple to “unzip” and won’t tangle. CHART B
Tip: use a smooth cotton waste yarn or a nylon thread Tip: for ssk in a straight line as in the leaf motif, try slip
to minimize the possibility of catching working yarn 1 st knitwise, k1, psso.
fibers and making knots in yarn. Tip: whenever there is a yarnover next to an ssk, do
Tip: place a straw marker every 10 sts to keep track NOT use a twisted stitch decrease unless it is
when casting on numerous stitches. specifically charted.
Tip: to make it easier to join in the round, knit a row tip: knitting the stitch tbl above a YO closes up the stitch
and turn before joining to work in the round on the and makes it look tidier.
next row.
Tip: you can knit the first row of stitches into the EDGING
provisional cast on and then turn to knit back; there Tip: when undoing the provisional cast on to knit the
will be no purl bumps because the provisional cast on edging on, undo 1 stitch at a time and place it on
will be removed (that's where the purl bumps are). your needles to keep from losing any stitches
Tip: do not use any knots when you attach new yarns; Tip: when knitting the other way from a provisional
end can be sewn in later to prevent lumpy knots. cast-on, the stitches are offset a half stitch. You will
need to make a stitch, or, if knitting side to side, you
CHART A can use the tiny loop at the very edge as a stitch. In
Tip: On Chart A, use two different versions of ssk on this case, since the cowl is round, you will need to
different rounds of chart to make stitches tidier. First create an extra stitch to make 136 sts.
time through on round 1: slip 1 st knitwise, replace Tip: to keep your place on edging chart, use a
stitch on left needle with stitch legs reversed, and then removable marker to mark each 8 stitch repeat of
knit 2 sts together through front of stitch without body stitches to be bound off in one repeat of edging
twisting stitch. The underlying stitch is twisted and chart.
makes for a smoother line. Also use this version of ssk Tip: to assist in working grafted join, use waste yarn to
on rounds 3 and 9. On subsequent reps of round 1, determine path of grafting yarn. On row 16 (last rep
slip knitwise, slip knitwise, replace 2 sts on left needle of chart) work in waste yarn as follows: purl to last 2
and knit sts together through front without twisting sts. sts, k1 tbl 2 times. Leave in provisional cast on at
Also use this version of ssk on round 7. start of knitted on edging. When grafting, follow
Tip: The chart shows each row or round as it will look route of waste yarn on both sides to create a cleaner
AFTER it has been knit. This means that markers might join. Remove the waste yarn after grafting.
move, but at the end, if the knitting looks like the Tip: to tidy up graft seam, use duplicate stitch to
chart, you're good. disguise half stitch offset at base of knitted on edging.
Tip: When there are double decreases in a round or You may also disguise offset in fagotting, but there
row of knitting, watch out for stitch markers to move. will always be a subtle seam because of the offset.
C H I L K AT C OW L T I P S - 1
FINISHING
Tip: instead of using blocking wires to block, use
something rounded, like body rollers to keep lace
from looking creased.
Tip: unpin the cowl from blocking when it is still a wee
bit damp. This will help disguise the fold where the
blocking wires went through.
Tip: use a safety pin through end of drawstring to make
it easier to draw drawstring through casing.
Tip: when weaving in ends for lace, try sewing them in
instead, using a sharp tapestry needle. Split the plies
and sew each in by itself to avoid unsightly bumps.
Tip: to cover up holes in knitting, on back side - using a
sharp tapestry needle - skim through top of stitches all
the way around hole, picking up just part of the
strands of yarn; pull together to hide hole and sew in
end of yarn.

TASSELS
1: Cut piece of 4: Flip yarn down so
cardboard 3 inches that cord knot is at top
long. Notch side, and of tassel and tied ends
starting in middle of are hidden in middle
notch, wrap yarn of tassel.
around cardboard 40
times.

2: Thread ends 5: Wrap strand of

below knot on cord yarn around top 3
through notch and times and tie tightly.
around top bunch of
yarn. Tie ends of
cord tightly around
strands.

3: Cut yarn in middle 6: Run knot under-

of notch on opposite neath yarn wrap and
side (bottom layer). trim tassel across
bottom to even
edges.

C H I L K AT C OW L T I P S - 2