The Knitknacks Snood

The Knitknacks Snood by Monica Russel

What is Being Made

The Knitknacks Snood is a knitted cowl designed as a versatile neck accessory. This snood can be worn independently as a standalone piece or coordinated as part of a matching set with other garments such as a beret. The finished snood measures 73 centimeters in circumference and 29 centimeters in length, making it a practical layering piece suitable for keeping warm on chilly days or accessorizing with a favorite jumper.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This Fair Isle snood is constructed using circular knitting techniques, worked in the round from the cast-on edge. The pattern employs charted Fair Isle colorwork, which involves stranding multiple yarn colors across rows to create a patterned fabric. The main pattern is worked from Chart A, which is repeated twice for a total of 80 rows. Following the colorwork section, the knitter works 9 additional rounds from Chart B, then transitions to a ribbed texture with 3 rounds of alternating knit and purl stitches before casting off.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the snood
• Purl stitch (P): Used in the ribbed finishing section
• Fair Isle colorwork: Charted stitch patterns incorporating multiple yarn colors worked simultaneously
• Cast-on and cast-off: Standard edge techniques for beginning and finishing the circular piece

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight yarn in 100% real Shetland wool. Three yarn colors are required: Shade 28 (corn), Shade FC9 mix (heather), and Shade FC 11 (green), with one 25-gram ball of each color needed. The snood is worked on a 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needle, along with a stitch marker to denote the round beginning and a tapestry needle for weaving in finished ends.

Yarn Weight and Tension

The pattern uses 4-ply yarn, classified as Jamieson & Smith's Jumper Weight in Shetland wool. The specified tension is 28 stitches and 34 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when measured in stockinette stitch. Achieving correct tension is essential for the snood to reach the intended finished dimensions of 73 centimeters circumference.

Difficulty Level

This snood is rated as an intermediate knitting project. The intermediate classification reflects the Fair Isle colorwork technique required, which demands familiarity with stranding multiple colors and reading charted patterns. Knitters should be comfortable with circular needle techniques and in-the-round construction before attempting this design.

Pattern Summary

Cast on 200 stitches using the 3.25mm circular needle with yarn A, join carefully to work in the round, and place a stitch marker. Work the 40-row Chart A pattern twice consecutively. Follow with 9 rounds worked from Chart B. Complete the snood with 3 rounds of ribbing alternating knit and purl stitches, then cast off all stitches. Finish by weaving in all loose ends with the tapestry needle.