Parent-and-child cowls evoke the fun of Snakes & Ladders with a garter-stitch spiral that widens as it goes, spreading to cover the shoulders for a warm outer layer and ending in either a snake’s head (embellished with embroidered or button eyes and a felt tongue) or a more restrained square corner. Alternating colors suggest the bright blocks of a game board. This is a simple but skills-boosting project, supported with a photo tutorial for German short rows (included as a separate download for Ravelry purchases). It is worked flat, joining as you go and carrying the non-working yarn up inside the I-cord edging. This makes a beautiful, neat finish with the minimum of tidying up (and absolutely no seaming). The pattern is written in three sizes, with the two adult sizes differing only in how much the cowl flares out over the shoulders.