Thumper’s going through a phase. It’s not a phase I expected at all. It’s not one I’ve read about, or heard about. In fact, I thought the window of opportunity for such a phase had long since passed us by.
Get this: He wants me to knit for him, and he wears what I make him. And not just that–he requests specific items. Last year he wouldn’t let any knitwear anywhere near him. He rejected everything I knit for him, and spent the winter in a red polar fleece cap and I just dealt with it. This year he’s asked for and received a blue hat and matching mittens, and a dark blue (very important distinction. DARK blue is his very favorite color) neckwarmer. ( “Neckwarmer” is what the males of this household call their cowls. But make no mistake: they’re wearing cowls.) He helps me choose just the right yarn–that is, just the right shade of blue Mission Falls 1824 Wool from the embarrassingly deep Mission Falls stash–and watches impatiently while the requested garment grows ever so slowly on my needles. When it’s done, he wants to wear it right away.
He saw Billy and I wearing our cowls (excuse me…neckwarmers) and wanted one for himself. I wish I’d thought of it myself. It’s the perfect winter layering piece for a preschooler, really. It keeps his neck warm (hence the name) and stays in place. I don’t have to worry about it falling off or getting tangled up in a play structure or tree branch or whathaveyou, like I would a scarf. In fact, I’d be afraid to put a scarf on a kid this age for safety concerns. If the neckwarmer gets hung up on something, it will stretch WITHOUT tightening around his neck, and will most likely just slip off over his head. And did I mention the not-falling-off bit? Worth repeating. He’s worn it to preschool for two weeks now, and it’s come back home with him effortlessly every time. Of course, it helps that he loves it and so keeps track of it.
Yeah. I’m kind of pleased with the neckwarmer. Can you tell? I think it took all of an hour to knit, too. Want to know how? Sure you do. I’m kind of slapping this up here. Please forgive the informality of the pattern. But really…it’s barely a pattern. It’s a tube, you know?
Thumper’s Neckwarmer
One size fits…oh, say 2 to 5 years?
Finished circumference: 18 in.
Gauge: 4 sts = 1″ (After blocking. Note that Mission Falls 1824 grows a good deal when it meets water. But don’t sweat the gauge too much. This is a very forgiving garment, fit-wise.)
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool, about a half a ball
Needles: 1 16″ US#6 circular needle
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle
CO 72 sts and join to knit in the round.
Work 4 rnds garter st, beginning with a knit rnd.
Work straight in st st for 4″.
Work 4 rnds garter st, beginning with a purl rnd.
BO loosely.
And behold! The ultimate preschooler neckwear! Thumper-approved.
He is so cute. What an awesome phase. Bobby and I are going through the opposite phase right now. He is a 4 month old baby who wears 9 month clothes and no signs of slowing down. He’s not getting sweaters again until he’s at least Thumper’s age.
I love that he loves it! My son wears the sweaters I’ve made for him proudly and tells people that mommy made it. I’m making as much as I can for him now while he’ll wear it, because I know at some point he will reject all things mommy-made.
Not to diminish the quality of your knitting, but the kid wearing the cowl is CLEARLY the star. Thumper is getting so grown up looking that it is hard to believe that not so long ago he was just a glimmer. Congrats on two wonderful finished objects.
this is terrific! Every time we leave the house I see his little neck and I think he must be cold! CO right away
My little guy asked me to make him “nother brown hat” (that would be another brown hat to everyone else). And he stole my cowl and wears it himself, so I know what you mean. He’s the only one to ask me for something specific, and I love it 🙂
in our house, they’re known as “neckies” and the boy has 2, with another in progress. He loves them, I love them, and I know they’re way safer than scarves.
I’ve had requests from some of the other mothers for one.
We’ll see…
Yay! And he likes the food you make for him, too! And I bet anything he likes the books you read to him, as well, right?
How lucky you are!
During my many years in the Auntie Brigade, only once have my 2 nephews been thrilled with a hand knit. (Let’s see: the older nephew was 6, at the time (he’s 23 now) and it was a very warm sweater (shrunken from the adult size, actually. ) The munchkin preferred it to his bulky coats.)
That is a fabulous development.
My 7 year old guy loves the neckwarmer (totally a cowl) too. Hooray for knitwear boys will wear!
yay! The cowl (neckwarmer!) looks great on him. I must make some for my kids (and myself and DH…)
Congratulations! My oldest always wants me to make her things, so I am very lucky. But then, I sew. And she knows I will make as many dresses as she wants…
Is that a tree with leaves on it in the background?
Thank you, thank you! My 2 yr old granddaughter detests scarves. I will be casting on today!
Love it! My 4 year old has a fleece “neckie” that he wears out in the snow regularly. I’ll have to knit him one of these, too!
In boys, this phase happens once again when they leave home! I got a request from my 18 year old for a pair of handknit gloves for his cold college mornings. (yay!) In girls, it happens again in 9th grade. So, you’ll likely get two phases with each child!
Lucky you! He sure looks like he absolutely loves his neckwarmer, er, cowl!
I DO keep reading this as “phrase” not “phase” — must be you and the writing thing. 🙂 Thumper and his cowlish neckwarmer are super cute.
Thanks so much for posting the pattern for a cowl. My 3 1/2 yr old has been begging for a scarf but it scares the crap out of me – I’m so worried it’s going to bet tangled or stuck. Cowl = perfect (no matter what you call it).
While I’m not much of a cowl person (i like scarves, and it took me years to like them. it may take me years to like cowls), I think I’ll knit this for my Beanie. Thanks for the pattern!