Blackberry Bramble

Blackberry Bramble is a cozy cowl that allows you to pair up some colors and have fun with simple stranded colorwork. It's a great intro to working motifs in the round.

The design is from MaryJane Mucklestone's directory of 150 Scandinavian Motifs - a great resource for anyone who wants to play with color. This design reminded me of Moorish tile, and I love how it's geometric and rounded at the same time. I worked the cowl in panels, keeping the length of the sections off kilter so they don't line up exactly when worn, and I alternated colors on the solid sections to add a bit more contrast, with a little pop of color for an additional surprise.

Pattern is worked in a tube and is easy to adjust for length or width, and the gauge is very forgiving. Sample is in Plucky Primo Aran but can be made in aran or worsted weight. Other listed yarns are suggested substitutes. If subbing, choose something you like against your skin, and a solid or semi solid will show the colorwork off best.