Freeplay Cowl, Wrap, & Guide Test Knit

Thank you for your interest! The test is now full, and testers were contacted on 8/29/21.

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How many mini skeins and leftovers are lurking in YOUR stash? This trio of patterns—a wrap with an interesting construction, a bandana-style cowl, and an improvisation guide of customizable recipes—is designed to work with any of them! The same simple stitches in a variety of constructions and yarns allow for maximum flexibility and creativity—not to mention stash-busting.

The wrap and cowl patterns are full patterns, but easily customizable to fit the leftovers you have on hand. The improvisation guide includes help combining stitches and determining gauge as well as the same basic stitches that work in three different shapes: bias-knit, rectangular, and triangular. It’s up to you to decide on size, stitch and color placement, etc. (with feedback/help in Slack, of course!). Take a quick scroll down the page to see photos of the different options.

About the Pattern:

This test is actually a three-in-one (scroll down to see photos of the different options). You can choose to test:

  • The wrap pattern (pictured below)

  • The bandana-style cowl pattern (pictured above)

  • The bias-knit scarf or wrap recipe (see swatch photo below)

  • The rectangular scarf or wrap recipe (see swatch photo below)

  • The recipe for a cowl that’s knit flat

  • The triangular shawl recipe (see swatch photo below)

Even if you’re testing an actual pattern, you can vary the stripe width and even the stitch placement using the guidance in the pattern. That means parts of this section may not really apply to you. But it will at least give you a starting point!

DIMENSIONS:

The patterns include guidance for altering the sizes as desired, if you choose to knit to pattern.

Cowl (as written):

  • Top Circumference: 20” [51 cm]

  • Bottom Circumference: 49” [124.5 cm]

  • Center Depth: 19” 18” [45.5 cm]

  • Back Height: 15.5” [39.5 cm]

Wrap (as written):

  • Long Edge: 65” [165 cm]

  • Width: 20.5” [52 cm]

Measurements taken after firm blocking. See modification options below.

YARN:

Freeplay is designed to work with any number of colors and yardages, so use what you have! I used fingering-weight yarn, but you can even try a different weight if you’d like.

YARDAGE:

Again, the pattern will work with whatever you have; these are simply approximations for the two samples shown. Totals include a 15% buffer. Testers will have access to free planning worksheets.

Cowl (as written):

  • C1: approximately 171 yd / 157 m

  • C2: approximately 81 yd / 74 m

  • C3: approximately 110 yd / 101 m

  • C4: approximately 92 yd / 84 m

Wrap (as written):

  • MC: approximately 273 yd / 250 m

  • CC1: approximately 67 yd / 62 m

  • CC2: approximately 102 yd / 94 m

  • CC3: approximately 110 yd / 101 m

  • CC4: approximately 231 yd / 212 m

  • CC5: approximately 225 yd / 206 m

NEEDLES:
All versions use US 4 [3.5 mm] needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. Additionally:

Three colorful swatches mixing simple mesh with garter and stockinette stitch in different shapes are laid out on a grey wood table.

  • If working the wrap pattern, you will need a second set of needles in the same size (40" [100 cm] or longer circular needles are recommended to accommodate large number of stitches). Optionally, you will also need an additional needle (circular, straight, or DPN) of the same or similar size for three-needle bind-off. You may also use the non-working end of one of the pairs holding the live stitches.

  • If working the bandana-style cowl pattern, use 16" [40 cm] circular needles.

  • If working the flat cowl recipe, you will need a second set of needles in the same size. Optionally, you will also need an additional needle (circular, straight, or DPN) of the same or similar size for three-needle bind-off. You may also use the non-working end of one of the pairs holding the live stitches.

  • If working the triangular shawl recipe, 40" [100 cm] or longer circular needles are recommended to accommodate large number of stitches.

NOTIONS:

All versions require a tapestry needle for finishing. Additionally:

  • If working the wrap pattern, you will need 1 stitch marker and 1 removable stitch marker (optional, to mark right side).

  • If working the bandana-style cowl pattern, you will need 2 stitch markers (one unique, to indicate start of round).

  • If working the flat cowl recipe, you will need waste yarn and a crochet hook in a size similar to your working needles.

  • If working the triangular shawl recipe, you will need 1 stitch marker.

GAUGE:
Gauge is not important if you will be modifying a pattern or improvising from a recipe and will depend on the yarn and needles you choose. The improvisation guide provides help making and using a gauge swatch in your chosen yarn. If knitting to pattern:

  • Wrap: 23 stitches and 30 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette stitch after firm blocking

  • Cowl: 20.5 stitches and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette stitch after firm blocking

TECHNIQUES REQUIRED:
All patterns/recipes involve single increases, single decreases, and yarn overs. Additionally:

  • Wrap pattern: garter-tab cast-on, three-needle bind-off

  • Bandana cowl pattern: knitting in the round

  • Cowl recipe: provisional cast-on, three-needle bind-off

  • Triangular shawl recipe: garter-tab cast-on

Information about relevant stitches and techniques is included with the pattern, so if you’re comfortable with most what's listed here and are willing to learn the rest, you are welcome to apply.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Instructions are written and charted. Patterns and guide have been professionally tech edited.

A smiling woman in a purple t-shirt models the Sunstripe Cowl, which is light grey with columns of eyelets and a wide swath of bright rainbow chevrons. Shown from waist to nose, she is outdoors, turned sideways with the cowl around her shoulders lik…

About the Test:

TESTER SELECTION:
I’m looking for at least 3 testers for each option (you will be able to indicate which options interest you when you apply). I may accept more. If there are more interested testers than I can accommodate, I'll make selections based on past projects (including photography, notes, ratings, etc.) as well as creating a good mix of yarn choice, experience, and instruction preference among testers. You can read more about how I select testers here.

TEST TIMELINE:
Testing call posted: Saturday, August 28, 2021
Testers selected and notified by: Sunday, August 29, 2021 (EDT)
Test deadline: Sunday, October 24, 2021

EXPECTATIONS:
To successfully complete this test knit, I ask that you:

  • Track the yardage you use.

  • Let me know any time you have any doubt about something in the pattern, you find a mistake (actual or suspected), an instruction seems unclear, etc. If you’re wondering about it, other knitters will be, too, and I want to clear up the confusion!

  • Finish your project by the deadline noted above, including blocking and photographing.

  • Fill out a survey about the test knit after your project is finished and completed before the deadline.

  • If you use Ravelry, create a complete project page (including gauge, needles, yarn used, and photos of the finished piece) and link it to the pattern page when the pattern is released.

  • Bonus: If you are willing to share photos on social media (both in progress and of your FO), all the better!

COMMUNICATION:
We will primarily communicate via Slack. Slack is a free communication tool. There is a web-based version and a mobile app, both of which are fairly straightforward. I’ve created a help page explaining relevant features here, and I’ll do my best to support testers in getting up and running.

Testers are welcome to chat alongside pattern talk. You can also always contact me by email or via Slack DM if the information is private (such as a personal reason for why a project will be delayed). Check-ins at regular intervals are not required, but if I haven’t heard from you in a while, I may tag or email you to see how things are going. In general, I would rather hear from you with lots of questions than hear nothing at all.

PRIVACY:
This is a public test, so please feel free to share WIP and FO photos on social media and Ravelry as you go. If you tag @remadebyhand on Instagram, I’m sure to see them. I will most likely share some of them as well.

COMPENSATION:
Knitters who complete the test—meaning fulfill all expectations listed above—will receive:

  • A copy of the final pattern once released (on Ravelry or another platform)

  • The option to gift a copy of the final pattern to a friend (on Ravelry or another platform) 

  • A code for another self-published pattern of choice from my Ravelry store, good for one year (I am working on a non-Ravelry workaround for this one, but there will be an alternative)

  • Credit (by Ravelry username or other preferred identifier) in the final version of the pattern

  • Good juju for future tests

  • …and, of course, a huge heap of my gratitude!

Erin, outdoors, holds the Sunstripe Cowl, which is light grey with columns of eyelets and a wide swath of bright rainbow chevrons, draped over her arm. She is shown from torso to knees.

TO APPLY: This test is now closed, and testers were contacted on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Be sure to check your spam, junk, promotions, etc. folders. Thanks so much for your interest!