Doldam Cowl
Image: An East Asian woman is wearing a textured, herringbone cowl over a colorful sundress with a sloth-patterned fabric. The cowl, Doldam, is knit in a gray yarn with specks of green, designed to look like a mossy stone wall. Text overlay reads "DOLDAM, #DOLDAMCOWL"
Image: A white woman with short, light-colored hair, smiles at the camera. She is wrapped up in her own Doldam cowl, this one knit using a variegated yarn that features shades of cream, lavender, and green.
Image: A white woman with short, dark hair, smiles sideways at the camera. Her extended arm showcases her Doldam Cowl, knit out of a gray yarn with specks of gold and green.
Image: A white woman with long, dark hair, closes her eyes and faces to the right of the camera. Posing against a luscious wall of green ivy, she is showing off her Doldam Cowl, knit out of a mostly white yarn with speckles of green that match the background.
“Doldam” (돌담) is the Korean word for “stone wall”, and the inspiration for this pattern comes from a photo I took of a mossy gray wall while visiting a Buddhist monastery in Korea a couple of winters ago.
When I came out as bi, it was a difficult and complex decision for me, given that I “pass” as straight (what with being married to a cisgender man) as well as my upbringing in a pretty traditional Korean household where gender norms are reified. I still haven’t come out to my parents, even though pretty much everyone on Instagram knows me as the hostess for the #QuietQueersCraftalong!
Being a designer is a cathartic activity for me. It gives me creative space to explore some of those emotions, and I think part of why it is so empowering for me is that it can contribute to some real, actionable change. And I wanted my work to contribute towards the queer rights movement in Korea.
Because despite being a hyper-modern country, Korea is still incredibly lacking with queer rights. A 2014 study found that 80% and 92% of queer teens experienced hate speech and homophobia from their teachers and peers, respectively. The military enforces strict bans on same-sex relationships which, in a country where all men have to complete a mandatory military service, is essentially an anti-sodomy law. Same-sex couples have absolutely no legal recognition in the form of rights to marriage, domestic partnership, inheritance, power of attorney in medical crises, or pensions. Therefore, as legally unmarried couples, same-sex couples do not have the right to adopt children or access to assisted reproductive technologies.
There’s only one organization that works towards queer rights, Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, and they are constantly underfunded and under attack by religious organizations and the government. And one way to help them would be with an actual, monetary donation.
I’ve teamed up with a fantastic line of BIPOC dyers to bring you the Doldam cowl and fundraiser for the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea. Each dyer has created a custom colorway to go with this pattern, and a portion from each of these purchases will go towards the fund! Additionally, while I do not charge for my patterns at the moment, if you decide to send me a Ko-fi donation with a memo indicating it is for this project, I will be donating 50% of the proceeds as well.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support, and I’m very excited to see your Doldam Cowls!
Join us on Instagram, by posting your WIPs and FOs with #DoldamCowl!
DETAILS
Sizes: Size S (210 yards), and Size L (420 yards).
Yarn: The pattern is written for worsted weight yarns, but may also be knit up in sport, DK, or Aran weight.
Recommended Yarns:
Happy Hank Yarns, Classy DK base, in the colorway Lichen & Moss.
I Feel Like Dyeing, 100% SW Merino Worsted base, in the colorway Stone Wall.
The Wandering Flock, worsted base, in the colorway Lichen.
A portion of profits from each skein purchased will go towards the charity fund.
Needles: Circular needles in US 6 (4mm) and US 11 (8mm).
Gauge: Gauge is not critical, but should approximate to 22 stitches and 18 rows after blocking for 4 inches squared in herringbone stitch.
THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to the dyers for providing yarn support and participating in this project, and to my test knitters albmiller, sarahgough, and OurFreckledLife.
SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNER
Designing is a fulfilling hobby for me, so I will not be charging for my patterns at this moment in time. However, if you would like to tip me, please feel free to do so at my Ko-fi page. Ko-fi’s are never expected but always appreciated.
Pattern published: October 11th, 2019