It's Manly!

My next free pattern was a reply to a request for a "more manly" version of the Vegas Sands Cowl (*cough* Neckwarmer *cough*). It didn't take long to come up with a way to manage that... the stitch pattern lends itself very well to manipulation. So here you go, the Manly Collar.

Manly Collar (originally published Winter 2008)

Materials:

1 skein DK weight yarn (I used Knit Pick’s CotLin and at 123 yards I still had some left), get more if you are making a larger collar....

Size US7 needles (straight or circular but I found the circs easier to maneuver) or size required to get-gauge 

Tapestry needle

One Button (I think it was 5/8")

Gauge: approx 5 sts/inch in stockinette, approx 5.5 sts/inch in pattern

Finished size: about 6” wide by 19” long after blocking.

Pattern stitch (adapted from Grumperina’s Shifting Sands Scarf):

Worked over 5 stitches and 4 rows:

Row 1 (RS): *1/2LC, K2, repeat to end

Row 2 and 4: purl

Row 3: *k2, 1/2RC, rep to end

Pattern:

CO 105 sts loosely using whatever method you like to give you a nice-edge, I like to use the long-tail cast on because I can keep it nice and loose.

Knit four rows (garter stitch border), then purl one row (WS)

Row 1 (RS): K5, begin pattern stitch (above) and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Row 2 (and all WS rows except button hole row): K5, follow pattern to last 5 sts, K5

Row 3 (RS): K5, follow pattern stitch and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Next row add buttonhole (WS): K5, P2, bind off 3 sts, purl to last 5 sts, k5

Next row: K5, continue in pattern (row 1 again) to your bind-off gap, use backward-loop cast on to add 3 sts, k7.

Continue following pattern, keeping the 5-stitch garter stitch border on each edge, and the pattern stitch in the middle. When piece is approx 5” tall ending with a row 1 or 3, change to garter stitch again for four rows.

Bind off in your favorite manner.

Finishing: Block the collar and then weave in ends after it has dried. To sew on the button I folded the rectangle in half lengthways and wrapped the collar around my model’s neck, then placed a small pin (careful not to nick your model!) where the button hole is. Then I sewed the button on where the pin was. 

Abbreviations:

1/2LC: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then knit 1 from cable needle

1/2RC: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k1, then k2 from cable needle

Note: If you take the time to learn Grumerpina’s “Cabling without a cable needle” you will find it worth the time spent! Trust me! (http://www.grumperina.com/cables.htm)

If you would like to make this collar for a neck larger than 15", increase the number of cast-on sts by 5 for the number of inches you want to increase (i.e. if you want to increase to 16" increase by 5 sts). If you would like the collar to be a little taller, knit a few more pattern-rows before placing your button hole and add a few more rows to the end before working your final garter-stitch border.

*errata: There was an issue with the 5th row (first row after the garter edge) where I neglected to point out the 5 stitch garter edges!  So after knitting four rows, the next row: k5. p95, k5, then continue as instructed.