Through Thick and Thin cowl

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This is a simple pattern for a cowl I have knitted three years ago. I love this cowl so much, I decided to share it. There is nothing original about this pattern, it is a simple all-over mistake rib stitch and you will find several very similar patterns on Ravelry. However, when knitting a cowl, getting the circumference right can be quite tricky. First of all, you need to decide if you intend to wrap it around your neck once or twice (or possibly more). I only like the look of cowls that stay quite close to the neck. They are also the most useful for when it is seriously cold and that is when I usually wear one. So for my liking there are only two options: a very, very high cowl with a short circumference wrapped once around the neck in relatively thin yarn or, even better, a cowl with a long enough circumference to be wrapped twice. So, the main reason I decided to publish my pattern, which is also the reason I like this cowl so much, is that I think I got the size super-right. It is 150 by 30 cmsq in super-bulky yarn. Note that yarn thickness does influence the result, a thinner yarn will probably work better with a smaller circumference or larger height. One note more: the cowl is quite tight around my neck, you may prefer to add 10 or 20 cm to its circumference, but I would not go further than 180cm total.

Pattern:

Yarn:
6 skeins (300g, 300m/324yd) of Rowan Thick'n'Thin (colourway: Dolomite).
Needles:
circular, 9mm/US13.
Gauge:
8.5st = 10cm = 4in.
Size:
150cm around x 30cm high.
Notions:
one marker and one tapestry needle (to weave in the ends).
Using long-tail or another relatively stretchy cast-on, cast-on 128 stitches (or any multiple of 4 stitches). Place a marker and join in the round, being extra careful not to twist the cast-on, which is tricky for such a long one.
Round 1:
* k2, p2, repeat from * to the end of the round, slip marker.
Round 2:
* k1, p2, k1, repeat from * to to the end of the round, slip marker.
Repeat these two rounds until reaching desired height or until there is just enough yarn left to bind off. Bind off very loosely. Weave in the ends and block it.

Warning: this stitch stretches considerably after washing and blocking (almost 50%), so do not worry too much about size while knitting.

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