Easy Garter Stitch Neck Warmer

"This is a simple neck-warmer or cowl with a subtle color change from top to bottom (or visa versa). Perfect for anyone wanting to try knitting in the round for the first time or for someone who just likes a quick knit. The Alpaca (4 ply) and the Brushed Alpaca Silk (or Kidsilk Haze) is held together with the color change coming from changing only the 4 ply yarn. The Brushed Alpaca Silk is used from start to finish and lends a luxury soft feel which most people find itch-free. Gauge is not terribly important, but if you like a looser cowl cast on around 10 extra stitches at the start and cast on 20 extra if you like it super-loose. You should be able to get 2 garments from the 3 x 50g skeins of Alpaca and 1 x 25g of Brushed Alpaca Silk - I did a little stash-diving to select the yarn for this project and most of what I used was actually left over from other projects. I used my 5mm Knit-Pro Karbonz Interchangeable needles with the smallest cord I have (12) and even this felt a little tight until a few rounds were completed."

Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles

Yarn Weight(3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge17 stitches, 0 rows, 4 inches. Gauge is not essential in this project. Achieve garter stitch in the round by knitting one row and purling the next.

Materials List

• 3 x 50g skeins of Drops Alpaca in complementary colours - or you could use just 2 skeins - you'll have enough yarn.
• 1 x 25g skein of either Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk or Rowan Kidsilk Haze.
• 5mm (size 8) 12" circular needles.
• Tapestry needle to weave in ends.
• Scissors.