TUBA is a handsome cowl, quickly knit. High ‘apparent value’ makes it a perfect gift.  The almost architectural depth of texture comes from a seldom used but easy technique called Float Stitch.  The design is by Roxanne Seabright (Rox), founder of Artfibers, the mill that produces the yarn in the pictures.

We show it here in the Artfibers ‘big noodle’ yarn, UDON (named after a Japanese round noodle).  UDON is a cushiony soft pure fine merino wool that looks and feels like felt.  Spun for us in Italy, it’s hand painted in the US by our model in these pictures, Noelle.

As an introductory offer, we’re making TUBA available in a kit for $16.40.  If that sounds interesting please read on after the pattern instructions.

TUBA  -  by Rox

Yarn: Artfibers UDON
or appropriate yarn that produces 8 stitches to 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch)
Quantity: 60 yards (includes 10% extra to account for differences between knitters.)
Size: One size fits all.
Tools: size 15 (10 mm) and17 (12 mm) needles long enough to hold 48 stitches. Darning needle.

1.  Using size 17 needles, cast on 48 stitches loosely.  Work in K2, p2 rib for 5 rows.

2.  Change to Float Stitch pattern and work as follows (all slips are done purlwise):    This stitch pattern is a multiple of 6 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *Wyif sl 3, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *wyif sl 3; k3; rep from *, end k2.
Row 5: K2, *wyif sl 3, k3; rep from *, end k1.
Row 7: *K3, wyif sl 3; rep from * to end.
Row 9: Wyif sl 1, *k3, wyif sl 3; rep from *, end wyif sl 2.
Row 11: Wyif sl 2, *k3, wyif sl 3; rep from *, end wyif sl 1.
Row 13: Same as row 1.
Row 15: Same as row 3.

3. Change to size 15 needles and K1, p1 rib.  Work 3 rows.

4. Bind off loosely in K1, p1 rib.

5. Join the 2 side edges using and edge to edge (flat) seam technique to form a tube.

6. Weave in all ends using a darning needle.

Worn with the K2, p2 rib as the bottom edge, the fabric will flare to accommodate the body as the neck joins the shoulders.

Other Options:  Pull it up a bit if the wind is numbing your mouth or nose.  Pull it up even more and wear it as an extra wide head/ear warmer.  Embellish it to match your outfit by running other yarn, fabric, or whatever comes to mind under the floats.

To order a TUBA kit:  You can go to our online catalog page for UDON here:

Pick a color (10 choices!), put 60 yards in the cart, then check out.
Or you can send us an email (artfibersyarn@earthlink.net ) with the color number and we’ll bill you.

Copyright 2009 by Roxanne Seabright.  All rights reserved.

Tags: bulky, chunky, cowl, fashion knitting, float stitch, gift knitting, hand dyed, hand painted, knitting, knitting kit, yarn

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under design, pattern, stitch. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.