Fading Memories 2026

This cowl was designed for the 2026 Do What You Love (formerly The Longest Day) campaign sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) to raise funds and awareness for dementia research. For every pattern sold through July 31, 2026, $5 will be donated to Alzheimer’s research.

The color pattern is achieved through a simple slip-stitch pattern in which two colors–a solid gray and a teal gradient–are alternated every two rounds. To me, the gradient represents how those afflicted with dementia become ghosts of their former selves, and the slight texture produced by the slip-stitch diamond pattern represents the rocky road they and their families travel.

Both row-by-row and charted instructions are provided.

The yarn used for the cowl shown was specially dyed by Alexandra The Art of Yarn and is available for a limited time only at Longmont Yarn Shoppe (longmontyarn.com) in Longmont, Colorado. You can substitute any fingering weight yarn.