Hokusai Cowl

The cowl was designed with inspiration from Hokusai’s iconic ukiyo-e, evoking the view of clouds seen through a paper shoji screen from inside a house. Along with the kumiko (the fine wooden lattice used in shoji screens) geometric pattern and the varying cloud shapes, the design incorporates a traditional Japanese aesthetic: concealing vivid colors on the inside or revealing them only subtly. Traveling stitches create texture reminiscent of the paper screen, while stranded colorwork forms the clouds.

Materials

Yarn Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Light (100% fine Highland wool), 218 yd (200 m)/50 g: 1 skein each of #2300 Cast Iron (C1), #2321 Loon Lake (C2), #2303 Highland Fleece (C3), and #2315 Red Rock (C4)

Needles: size 2 (2.75 mm) and size 3 (3.25 mm) 24"(60 cm) circular (cir) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions Stitch markers, Locking stitch markers, Cable needle, Tapestry needle

Gauge: 31½ sts and 42½ rnds = 4" (10 cm) in pattern from Kumiko chart using larger needle, after blocking. 30½ sts and 40½ rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st colorwork from Clouds chart using smaller needle, after blocking. 25½ sts and 49 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in seed stitch using larger needle, after blocking.

Finished Size: 26" (66 cm) circumference, 16½"(42 cm) total length, 12" (30.5 cm) wearing length with 4½" (11.5 cm) of seed-stitch lining folded to inside.