Jewels in the Snow

Jewels in the Snow is a matching cowl and hat, both worked in the round in my Fair-Isle crochet technique. Round by round, little circles of colorwork sit against a quiet background, like scattered gems set into a snowy bank. That is where the name comes from, and it is the look everyone will notice first, even though the making of it is far simpler than it appears.

The colorwork is easier than colorwork usually sounds. You work single crochet in the round, always on the right side, and carry the unused color along underneath as you go, so there is no cutting and rejoining every few stitches. You follow a simple chart from the bottom up, and the pattern of circles builds on its own as you climb the rounds. It is a friendly way into colorwork, and it moves quickly once you find the rhythm.

Best of all, it is a weekend set. The cowl and the hat are both quick, and both are adjustable, so you can make the cowl as long or as wide as you like and size the hat to fit any head. It is warm and substantial, the sort of pair you reach for on the coldest mornings and give as a gift when you want to make something that looks like real work.

Yarn: 

Worsted weight yarn in three colors, enough for both the cowl and the hat.

The sample uses Sprightly Yarns Acrylic Wool Worsted (80% acrylic, 20% wool, 216 yards / 198m = 3.5 oz / 100g) in (A) #503-006 Aran Heather, 2 skeins, (B) #503-005 Copper, 1 skein, and (C) #503-001 Blue Heather, 1 skein.

Hook: 

US size J/10 (6.0 mm), or the size needed for gauge. Make sure you take the time to check it before you start.

Notions: 

Yarn needle, one stitch marker, and a 3 3/8-inch pom-pom maker for the hat.

Gauge: 

14 sc and 12 sc rows = 4 inches / 10 cm. Check your gauge before you begin. It sets the fit of both pieces and how far your yarn will take you.

Finished Size: 

The cowl is 26 inches around and 10 inches high. The hat fits heads 18 to 20 inches around and is 9½ inches tall without the pom-pom. Both are adjustable.