Knitted Bear Track Cowl

Imagine a cozy, handcrafted bear track cowl made with intricate knitting techniques. This unique accessory features a charming bear paw pattern that wraps around your neck, keeping you warm and stylish during the colder months. The soft yarn used to create this cowl ensures maximum comfort and durability, making it a must-have addition to your winter wardrobe. Whether you're out for a walk in the snow or simply running errands around town, this knitted bear track cowl is sure to turn heads and add a touch of whimsy to your outfit. Whether you're dressing up for a casual day out or adding a playful touch to your winter ensemble, this cowl is the perfect accessory to elevate your look. Embrace the charm and warmth of the knitted bear track cowl and make a fashion statement wherever you go.

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Baby Me Boo (50% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino, 20% Bamboo; 174 yards [160 meters]/100 grams); #BBH07 Rosario - 1 skein (however, I've developed an uncanny knack for finishing up a skein with little to spare, so if you're a looser knitter, you may want to have two skeins on hand. On the flip side, since this pattern ends with I-cords, you could always use something like ribbon to tie up the cowl if you run out)

Needles: one set of straight needles in size 7, two double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 7

Notions: tapestry needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches
Okay, to knit this piece we're going to start with the center bit (we'll pick up stitches along the edges to do the around-the-neck parts). So, using size 7 needles, cast on 81 stitches. The center piece will be knit in the Bear Track pattern, from page 225 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and goes as follows:
Row 1 (right side): k1, * yo, (k1, p1) 7 times, k1, yo, k1; rep from *
Row 2: k1, * p2, (k1, p1) 7 times, p1, k1 *
Row 3: k2, * yo, (k1, p1) 7 times, k1, yo, k3 *, end last repeat k2
Row 4: k2, * p2, (k1, p1) 7 times, p1, k3 *, end last repeat k2
Row 5: k3, * yo, (k1, p1) 7 times, k1, yo, k5 *, end last repeat k3
Row 6: k3, * p2, (k1, p1) 7 times, p1, k5 *, end last repeat k3
Row 7: k4, * yo, (k1, p1) 7 times, k1, yo, k7 *, end last repeat k4
Row 8: k4, * p2, (k1, p1) 7 times, p1, k7 *, end last repeat k4
Row 9: k5, * (ssk) 3 times, sl1-k2tog-psso, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 *, end last repeat k5
Row 10: purl
Knit rows 1 - 10 four times through. Next we'll do one iteration of the pattern which excludes the (yo)s, or in other words:
Row 1, 3, 5, & 7 (right side): k1, * (k1, p1) 7 times, k2; rep from *
Rows 2, 4, 6, & 8: k1, * p1, (k1, p1) 7 times, k1 *
Row 9: k1, * (ssk) 3 times, sl1-k2tog-psso, (k2tog) 3 times, k1 *
Row 10: bind off by purling the first stitch, and then purling 2 together for the rest of the row to gather the piece additionally
And the center bit is done! So now that we're finished with that part, let's pick up 28 stitches along the right edge of the piece if you're looking at it from the right side of the fabric (so this will be its left side once you put it on). We're going to work in decreases as we go, so proceed as follows:
Row 1: purl
Row 2: ssk, knit across
Continue to knit rows 1 & 2 until you have 20 stitches left on your needle. Now you will start reducing a tad slower, like so:
Row 1: purl
Row 2: knit

Row 3: purl
Row 4: ssk, knit across
Knit rows 1 - 4 until you have 16 stitches left on your needle, and then go back to the previous accelerated decrease pattern. Continue in this decrease pattern until there are 5 stitches left on your needle. Now, rather than knitting the purl row, transfer stitches to a dpn and begin I-cord. Continue until I-cord measures roughly 14.5". Bind off. And now let's get started on the other side!
Pick up 28 stitches along the left edge of the piece.
Row 1: purl
Row 2: knit until final two stitches, ssk
Continue to knit rows 1 & 3 until you have 20 stitches left on your needle. Once again, you will start reducing a little slower, like so:
Row 1: purl
Row 2: knit

Row 3: purl
Row 4: knit until final two stitches, ssk
Knit rows 1 - 4 until you have 16 stitches left on your needle, and then, once again, go back to the previous accelerated decrease pattern. Continue in this decrease pattern until there are 5 stitches left on your needle. Now, rather than knitting the purl row, transfer stitches to a dpn and begin I-cord. Continue until I-cord measures roughly 14.5". Bind off. Tuck in ends, do dance of completion.