Sanders Cowl Knitting Pattern

We have been having so much fun with all the Bernie Sanders inspired knitting patterns lately, and I could not resist adding one of my own to the mix.

The Sanders Cowl uses four colors of yarn and is worked in the round from the bottom up. I studied the infamous mittens to design the color charts, and inverted the chart at the bottom for the top so that it would be symmetrical, though the original mittens have a slightly different pattern at the top.

I made my version with random yarns I had at home that were close to the right colors, which I think Bernie would approve of. They are worsted and aran weight yarns, but you can change the yarn to change the size if you like!

In the spirit of Bernie’s passion for healthcare, I also decided to make this pattern a fundraiser for two amazing charities aimed at helping the physical and mental health of often-underserved communities: the Native Wellness Initiative and the Loveland Foundation.

If you want to stitch up something to remember the time a pair of mittens stole all our hearts, but maybe you don’t want a pair of mittens, this pattern is a great option. It’s actually really easy and a pretty quick knit, too! You’re never working with more than two colors in a round so it’s a great way to dip your toes into colorwork.

You can learn more and grab the pattern on Ravelry.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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