Stockinette Stitch Cowl & Handwarmers

 “Learn stockinette stitch two ways.”

This Churchmouse Classroom First Projects pattern will teach you how to knit soft and elegant stockinette stitch. You'll work stockinette back and forth (knit a row, purl a row) for the handwarmers. For the cowl, you'll be delighted when you knit in the round: the knit side is always facing you, so you just knit, knit, knit. Once you’ve tried it both ways, it’ll make sense—you’ll see!

PHOTO TUTORIALS IN THIS PATTERN:

• Joining in the round.
• Make-one increases.
• Slipped bind-off for thumb opening.
• Mattress-stitch seaming in stockinette stitch, side-to-side.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: the cable cast-on method, the knit stitch, the purl stitch (handwarmers only), binding off, and weaving in tails. Need help with any of these techniques? See our Learn-To-Knit Companion booklet.

Grab the pattern and needles below, and then pick a shade of Malabrigo Rios, a super-soft, hand-dyed fine merino wool yarn that's easy to knit. Both projects require just one skein each.

FINISHED SIZES
Cowl:Approx. 24"/61cm around x 7"/18cm deep.
Handwarmers: 6½"/16.5cm around palm x 6"/15cm long.

YARN
Cowl: Approx. 140 yds/128m of worsted-weight yarn (ball band should suggest a gauge of approx. 18 stitches = 4"/10cm). 
We used 1 skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima (219 yds/200m) in Color 2426 Stratus. 
Handwarmers: Approx. 90 yds/82m of worsted-weight yarn (ball band should suggest a gauge of approx. 18 stitches = 4"/10cm.)
We used 1 skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima (219 yds/200m) in Color 2426 Stratus.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Cowl: US 9 (5.5mm) 16"/40cm circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Handwarmers: US 8 (5mm) needles (straight or circular), or size needed to obtain gauge. Note: Handwarmers are knit on smaller needles for a slightly denser fabric.
2 stitch markers.
Blunt darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
Cowl: Approx. 16 stitches = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch.