Fading Memories Cowl

This tapered cowl was designed for the 2022 Longest Day event sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org)–an annual fundraiser that takes place on the summer solstice.

For every pattern sold, $5 will be donated to Alzheimer’s research.

The stitch pattern consists of expanding cables separated by eyelet lace that represents convoluted memories and lost awareness. The dark-to-light gradient represents how those afflicted with Alzheimer’s become ghosts of their former selves. Both row-by-row and charted instructions are provided.

Worked in rounds, this small top-down cowl widens from the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge to for a type of loose collar. The yarn is one skein of Fiber Optic Yarns Split Unified Gradient Kashmir (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 255 yards [233 meters]/65 grams) in the colorway Smoke Stacks.

Finished Size: About 19 1/4″ (49 cm) circumference at top, 26″ (66 cm) circumference at bottom, and 7″ (18 cm) tall with edges allowed to roll.

Yarn: Fiber Optic Yarns Split Unified Gradient Kashmir (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 255 yards [233 meters]/65 grams): 1 skein Smoke Stacks. The cowl shown used nearly the entire skein of yarn.

Needles: Size U.S. 4 (3.5 mm): 16″ (40 cm) circular.

Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle.

Gauge: 12 1/2 stitches = 2″ (5 cm) in cable and lace pattern at start of cowl (12-stitch repeat) and 14 stitches = 2″ (5 cm) in cable and lace pattern at end of cowl (18-stitch repeat), both worked in rounds. Exact gauge isn’t crucial but will affect the finished size and drape.