Copper Star Cowl (or Scarf)

One of my favorite things about autumn is all the oranges, rusts, and coppers - one of my favorite color groups!

I've been loving knitting with Madelinetosh's Brick Dust and put together this simple cowl/scarf pattern in a heavily textured stitch that highlights its gorgeous copper hues.

Materials:
*2 skeins Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky
*size 10 circular needles (you can use these even if you're making this as a scarf)
*stitch marker
*tapestry needle

There are several different ways to make a star stitch, each looking a little bit different.  This is the star stitch I used for this project:

Star Stitch - Knit through three stitches but do not drop them from the left needle.  Yarn over and then knit through the same three stitches, this time dropping them from the needle.  

This is not an especially easy stitch on one's hand joints - but .... it looks awesome and does get easier if you keep a little loose in your knitting and as you get down a few rows!

Note:  I find it easier to avoid twisting the yarn on large cowls if I knit a few rows first and then join.

Finished size - about 7 inches wide and 25 inches long after blocking.

Cast on 241 stitches.
Row 1 - Knit the row.
Row 2 - Purl the row.
Row 3 - *Star Stitch, knit 1*  Repeat between stars to the last two stitches.  Knit these.

If you are making a cowl, continue working into Row 4 without turning, thus starting to work in the round. Be careful not to twist the rows, unless you want to make a twisted, infinity type cowl - which does work with the nice textures on both sides of this pattern.  If you are making a scarf, keep turning at each row's end.

Row 4 - Knit the row for a cowl, purl for a scarf.

Row 5 - Knit the first two stitches.  *Star Stitch, knit 1*  Repeat between stars to the end.

Row 6 - Knit the row for a cowl, purl for a scarf.

Repeat Rows 3 - 6 until fabric measures about 5 1/2 inches, or 18 star stitch rows.

Next row, knit for a cowl, purl for a scarf.

Final row, knit.  Cast off and weave ends in.

Doing a moderate block helps smooth out the edges and open the pattern up a bit.  Yes, this is difficult if you are blocking a twisted cowl!

Happy Creating!  Deborah