The Funnel Neckwarmer

I wanted to create something really simple (and cosy) that would do me on and off the slopes on our forthcoming trip to Chamonix. And I had one ball of a beautiful Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky that I fell in love with last year, and bought the last one of at Loop in August. There's not that much you can do with one ball of wool and a desire for a neckwarmer, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to attempt some magic loop knitting, using a rather fabulous tutorial I found online... and here's the results:

The Funnel Neckwarmer

Materials
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, 1 skein
Circular Knitting needle, 7mm

Method
cast on 42 stitches
divide to knit in magic loop - 21 on each half
work k1 p1 rib for 26 rounds
round 27: [k1, p1, k1, yo, p1, k1, p1] 6 times
round 28: k1, p1 rib as before, but when you reach a yo stitch, knit into the back of the yo, then continue in pattern.
round 29: [k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1] 6 times
round 30: [k1, p1, k1, yo, k1, p1, k1, p1] 6 times
round 31: k1, p1 rib as before, but when you reach a yo stitch, purl into the back of the yo, then continue in pattern.
round 32: k1, p1 rib (54 sts)
round 33: [k1, p1, k1, yo, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] 6 times
round 34: k1, p1, rib as before, but when you reach a yo stitch, knit into the back of the yo, then continue in pattern
round 35: [k1, p1, k1, yo, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] 6 times
round 36: work in k1, p1 rib
round 37: cast off loosely.

block to loosen up and give the warmer a good drape, and voila! Off to Cham...

The Ashleigh Neckwarmer

Needed something quick and effective for a secret santa present, hopefully using no more than 1 skein (b/c of the cost restrictions on the Secret Santa - < £5). I found Susan McConne's gorgeous Scrunchable Scarf pattern on Ravlery (pattern also available here), and adapted it as follows:

The Ashleigh Neckwarmer

Materials:
Sublime Extra Fine Merino, 'Toast', 1 skein
Circular knitting needle, 7mm
3 biggish buttons to complement the yarn

Method:
co 39 sts
row 1: *k1, p2, rep from * to end of row
work rows 2 - 80± in the pattern given above.
row 81: [k1, p2] twice, k1, p2tog, [k1, p2] three times, k1, p2tog, [k1, p2] three times, k1, p2tog, [k1, p2] twice
row 82: [k1, p2] twice, k1, yo, p1 [k1, p2] three times, k1, yo, p1 [k1, p2] three times, k1, yo, p1 [k1, p2] twice
row 83: work in pattern as rows 2 - 80, BUT kfb into EVERY k stich
row 84 - 86: (starting with a purl stitch on row 84) work 3 rows of k1 p1 rib
row 87: bind off in pattern.

Attach 3 buttons to the opposite end of the neckwarmer with excess yarn (buttonholes may need reinforcing if your yarn is as soft and stretchy as mine!)

± depending upon your yarn, and your gauge, you may find you get more or less than 80 rows from 1 skein. Allow yourself about enough yarn for another 6 rows and a cast off edge before starting on the button hole row. And don't forget it's not a cowl or a scarf - the snugger the neckwarmer is the better (within reason, of course!!)

xx