Spring is one of my favourite seasons. The buds are coming out on the trees, birds are building their nests and there’s an air of renewal everywhere. In addition to this, the first flowers of spring also start to appear. Magnolia and cherry blossoms bloom (even before the leaves!) and the humble bluebell follows along a little later.
Coinneal Knitting Pattern Inspiration
This humble Bluebell was, in fact, the inspiration for this year’s Spring Seasons Club. I wanted the patterns to mimic the stems of the bluebell with a full, drooping bell flower at the top of each stem. I started each stem with a twisted rib, creating a nice graphic stem. The bluebell on top was created using a big lace stitch pattern that decreased and increased 5 stitches at the top create the shape.
Now, it’s tricky to work 5 stitches together so there are lots of tips in the videos to make it easier to work (and maybe even a little cheat!). Fortunately, the end effect is so pretty that the effort is well worth it.
Coinneal Cowl
Coinneal Cowl Knitting Pattern
The first pattern I wrote was the cowl. I kept the edging in simple garter stitch and then alternated between ribbed ‘stems’ and bluebell lace to create this deep, wearable cowl. Due to the modular nature of the cowl, it’s very easy to make it deeper or shallower as you wish. If you keep scrolling, you can see me tugging the cowl up and wearing it as a hood.
SIZES
One Size
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 24” / 61 cm
Length: 18” / 46 cm
YARN
Life In the Long Grass ‘Singles’ (100% Merino, 400 yds / 366 m per 3.53 oz / 100 g); Colour: Hinoki, 2 skeins.
Approx. yardage: 500 yds / 458 m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circ, 20-24” / 50-60 cm long
Adjust needle size as necessary to achieve gauge.
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, possibly smaller and larger circ needle for working Bluebell Stitch pattern.
GAUGE
26 sts and 48 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stitch blocked
26 sts and 26 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Bluebell blocked
26 sts and 34 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Twisted Stem blocked
Coinneal Mitts Knitting Pattern
The second pattern is the Coinneal mitts. These are very delicate, with a little negative ease for a perfect fit. Work from the bottom up, they again start with Garter Stitch. From here, we move into the Twisted Stem ribbing and finish with a single round of Bluebell Lace. The thumb is kept in simple stockinette, so it looks like it grows out of the stem.
SIZES
Small (Medium, Large)
To Fit Hand Circumference Up To: 6.75 (7.5, 8.25)” / 17 (19, 21) cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Hand Circumference: 5.75 (6.5, 7.25)” / 14.5 (16.5, 18.5) cm
Sample size 6.5″ / 16.5 cm modelled with 0.75” / 2 cm of negative ease.
YARN
Life In the Long Grass ‘Singles’ (100% superwash Merino, 400 yds / 366 m per 3.53 oz / 100 g); Colour: Mint Grove, 1 (1, 1) skein.
Approx. yardage: 145 (176, 216) yds / 133 (161, 198) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US Size 2 / 2.75 mm circ, 36-40” / 80-100 cm long for magic loop
or
1 set US size 2 / 2.75 mm dpns
Adjust needle size as necessary to achieve gauge.
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn, possibly smaller and larger circ needle for working Bluebell Stitch pattern.
GAUGE
33 sts and 42 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Twisted Stem blocked
26 sts and 56 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stitch blocked
If you are not part of our full Seasons Club, there is still the option to purchase the digital club. In this you’ll get both patterns as well as the full digital workshop for both patterns. Pop over to the Spring Seasons Digital Club now.
Both Manos Fino and Vivacious 4ply would make good yarn substitutions.
The only question left is which would you cast on first?