Boucle Cocoon
Sizes: XS/S (M/L)
Yarn: 4 balls of Be Sweet Boucle Mohair or Be Sweet Brushed Mohair
Needles: 24” circular size 11 and dpns size 11
(optional: 16” size 11 to help transition from dpns to 24”)
Gauge: 11 stitches & 14 rows= 4”
Note: The piece doesn’t “bloom” to size until it is off the needles and blocked.
SM – slip marker
M1R – Make one right. Bring the tip of the left-hand needle under the strand between stitches, from back to front. Knit this loop.
M1L – Make one left. Bring the tip of the left-hand needle under the strand between stitches, from front to back. Knit through the back of the loop.
CO 36 stitches LOOSELY and divide evenly onto 3 or 4 dpns.
Join, being careful not to twist. Knit 2 rounds even, placing markers at the beginning of the round and at the halfway point (18 stitches from beginning of round)
Begin increasing as follows:
Rnd 1: K to one stitch before end of round, M1R, k1
Rnd 2: K1, M1L, knit to end of round
Repeat these two rounds 3 more times, for a total of 44 sts. Then begin the following:
Rnd 3: K to one stitch before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, knit to last stitch before beginning of round, M1R, k1
Rnd 4: K1, M1L, knit to end of round
Repeat these two rounds 3 times more, for a total of 60 sts. If 16” circulars are available, switch to them any time after this point. Otherwise, keep working on dpns. Begin the following:
Rnd 5: K to 2 sts before 1st marker, M1R, k1, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, k1, M1L, knit until 2 stitches remain, M1R, k1, M1R, K1
Rnd 6: K1, M1L, k1, M1L, knit to end of round.
Repeat these two rounds 3 times more, for a total of 92 sts. Switch to 24” circulars. Repeat the above two rounds 7 (9) more times, for a total of 148 (164) sts. Then begin the following:
Rnd 7: K to one stitch before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, knit to last stitch before beginning of round, M1R, k1
Rnd 8: K1, M1L, knit to end of round
Repeat rounds 7 & 8 once more, then knit 1 round – 156 (172) sts. Work these 3 rounds (rnds 7, 8, and the knit round) 4 (6) more times, for a total of 172 (196) sts.
Knit 1 (4) round(s) even.
Bind off 86 (98) sts VERY loosely, and preferably on a needle as big as a 15 or 17. Cut yarn, leaving tail to weave in. Place remaining 86 (98) stitches on holder or another set of circular needles.
Repeat instructions for other half, cutting yarn leaving tail of at least 168” for kitchener stitch.
Using kitchener stitch, holding work with wrong sides held together, graft together remaining 86 stitches from each piece. This is a long kitchener seam, so be patient and take it slowly. It’s hardest in the beginning when the yarn tail is so long, but it helps to pull a large portion of the tail through the needle to shorten the overall length while you work with it (just make sure you don’t double it into the kitchener seam). After every 10 stitches or so, check your tension and adjust as necessary.
Optional tie:
CO 6 stitches and work i-cord until tie measures 58” or desired length.
Weave in all ends and block to stretch into shape.