For the Manly Man...

Hey Robin!
I spend a lot of time on Ravelry... which should explain why I'm not here often enough! A little bit ago, there was a lot of chatter on the boards "What should I knit my brother/Dad/FiL/grown-son?" and Lots of times the answer was "A scarf!" or "A cowl!", amongst all the hat suggestions of course. This got me a'thinkin'... Vegas Sands is a pretty feminine pattern, in most colors, but what about an alteration to make it more "Manly"? I'm sure I can do it, I mean the original pattern was for a man!

I noodled around a bit and had the best idea yet, which was to turn it into something more like a neckwarmer, et VIOLA! Feast your eyes:

I give you the Manly Collar! Yes it's a dumb name, but I am definitely open to suggestions. It fastens with a hidden button, which I think is oh-so-stylish.

For the first time I got a test-knitter to check out my pattern before putting it upon you guys... good thing too because I did the button-hole instructions wrong! The pattern:

Manly Collar

Materials: 1 skein DK weight yarn (I used Knit Pick’s CotLin and at 123 yards I still had some left); Size 7 needles (straight or circular but I found the circs easier to maneuver) or size required to get-gauge; Tapestry needle

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

Finished size: about 6” wide by 19” long blocked.

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

Worked over 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 cable cast on because I can keep it nice and loose.

Knit four rows, purl one row (WS)

Next row (RS): K5, start pattern and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Next Row (and all WS rows): K5, follow pattern to last 5 sts, K5

Next row (RS): K5, start pattern and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Next row: K5, P2, bind off 3 sts, purl to last 5 sts, k5

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

Continue following pattern, adding the knitted 5 stitch border on each edge. 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 and then weave in ends. 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. (Don’t forget to remove the pin).

Abbreviations:

1/2LC: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then knit1 from cn

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

Note: If you take the time to learn Grumperina’s “Cabling without a cable needle” you will find it worth the time spent! Trust me!

I seriously hope that many people will try this pattern and let me know what happens! It's only been tested the one time (other than me) so please let me know if you find errors!

Later!