Motivation:

Wanted something woolly to keep my neck warm during the cold months - something more portable than a scarf and small enough to fit in a pocket. I was also tempted by the beautiful colors of Noro Japanese wool and wanted an excuse to buy some. 8)

Materials:

1 ball of Noro Silk Garden (45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair, 10% Lamb's wool)
5mm circular knitting needles
A few good audio podcasts and a warm fire (optional)

Instructions:

Cast on 84 sts and join into a round.
Work 4 rounds of knit 2 purl 2 (k2p2).
Choose a pattern stitch (see step 1).
Continue in pattern stitch until there is just enough wool left to work 4 rows of k2p2 ribbing.
Cast off.

Step 1: Pattern

Choose a pattern, select the wool, modify the pattern to make it unique.

Pattern:

Rnd 1-5: Join in Contract Color. *Slip 1
purlwise, K4 with Contract Color, Slip 1
purlwise*, Repeat to end of rnd.
Rnd 6-8: Purl with Main Color.
Rnd: 9-13: *K2 with Contrast Color, Slip 2
purlwise, K2* Repeat to end of rnd.
Rnd 14-16: Purl with Main Colour.

Step 2: Add Some Flash!

After the first inch or so of knitting we realize the wool we are using is dull (blues and greens) so we buy a new skein of wool with brighter colors, tie it on and continue knitting with the pink colorway.