Me-Do! A Knit Neckwarmer Recipe

Little ones like being in control of something. Boots, hats and mittens are all fairly easy things for little hands to master. Scarves, not so much. There is the wrapping around the neck and then the tying: too much skill required. Not to mention, Safe Kids Canada (a project of The Hospital for Sick Children / University of Toronto) recommends that young children not wear scarves as they are a strangulation hazard.

The answer: a neckwarmer!

The Me-Do! neckwarmer is easy to put on for little ones, does not pose a strangulation hazard, won't fall off and keeps little necks and chins warm in the most horridly cold weather.

And, as a bonus, if you have small ones on your Christmas list this year, a Me-Do! knit it a fat yarn can take as little as two - four hours of knitting. Easy peasy!

So, get some polar weight and lets get knitting!

Requirements:
Heavy weight yarn (bulky, extra bulky and polar are best but you could knit at a finer gauge, it will just take longer) preferably with some animal fibre content for warmth.
16"/40.5cm circular needles, sized for your yarn (likely 5mm and up will be suitable).
Darning needle.

Gauge:
Knit a swatch to determine your gauge. Don't skip this step as your gauge will determine how many stitches you will cast on.

Math:
Toddler & Small Child: Your stitches per inch X 16 inches + round up to multiple of 3 = The number of stitches you will cast on (CO)
Teens & Adults: Your stitches per inch X 18 inches + round up to multiple of 3 = The number of stitches you will cast on (CO)

Pattern:

1. Using a stretchy cast on such as the Long Tail Cast On, CO the appropriate number of stitches for your yarn onto circular needle and join without twisting stitches.
2. Purl around (**the knitting will be very tight for the first few rows; you will be knitting an object with a 16" circumference on 16" needles, but it will loosen up a bit and become more comfortable)
3. P
   
4. Knit around
5. *K, YO, K2tog* to end of row
6. K
   
7. P
   
8. P
   
9. K
   
10. K
    
11. P
    
12. P
    
13. K
    
14. *K, YO, K2tog* to end of row
15. K
16. P
17. P
18. Repeat rows 9 to 17 until neckwarmer measures 7-9 inches, approximately
19. Bind Off in stretchy bind off such as Basic Bind Off (done loosely)
20. Weave in ends
21. Let them put it on themselves!

I may never wear or make another scarf again! My son certainly won't!

My Specs:
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Lemongrass (80% acrylic, 20% wool, super bulky)
Needles: 9cm, 16"
Gauge: 2 stitches per inch
My CO: For Large, 39 stitches