Knit bold contemporary looks using the principles of traditional Fair Isle knitting. Mary Jane will share her love of stranded knitting by embracing techniques that make traditional work simple while modernizing the look with graphic geometric shapes and a contemporary take on color. Using Mary Jane’s Flying Geese Cowl as a template, we will create a sampler, experimenting with color and shapes. Mary Jane will help guide your color choices and offer tips on stranded knitting technique. Technique Requirements: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, working in the round, chart reading, easy colorwork, basic finishing techniques

On larger needle, with any color you like (or Charcoal if following Flying Geese pattern exactly), cast on 120 sts, join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Work k1,p1 rib for 1 inch.

To begin a sampler cowl or cushion you will need 5 colors of worsted-weight yarn with between 30yd/27.5m and 72yd/66m each. Make sure there are a few colors of high contrast—light and dark colors. Since we won’t have time to finish our project, you won’t need all the yarn, but bring what you can: attack your stash and experiment! The Flying Geese cowl as written uses: Harrisville Highland, 100% wool 200yd/182m, 100g/3.5oz; Azure 72yd/66m, (pattern color)Charcoal 60yd/55m, Toffee 30yd/28m, Suede 30yd/28 m, Silver Mist 60yd/55m.

Pattern: Flying Geese Cowl, on Ravelry https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flying-geese-cowl

Yarn: The Flying Geese cowl as written uses: Harrisville Highland, 100% wool 200yd/182m, 100g/3.5oz; Azure 72yd/66m, (geese color); Charcoal 60yd/55m, Toffee 30yd/28m, Suede 30yd/28 m, Silver Mist 60yd/55m (background colors). You can also make up your own arrangement of colors, some knitters have kept the background solid, and changed the color of the geese. Or you can make up your own cowl with motifs provided in your handout.

Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm and US 9 - 5.5 mm 16"/40cm circular needles