Midnight in a Pine Forest Cowl

I adapted the Lacy Leaf Alpaca-Angora Hat pattern by Bonnie Evans (from 101 Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders) into a cowl. I added a few repeats of the pattern and didn’t have any of the hat decreases. I used two rows of the green, then two rows of the purple, and continually alternated every two rows. It ended up looking like it was one yarn when side-by-side people told me they didn’t match! I really like the finished product. It’s soft without feeling hairy-wooly (and I still love wooly-feeling wools).

I’ve used this lace pattern several times before, once as a hat, and once as another cowl. It was only of the third time around that I actually found the leaves in the pattern. They’re not really discernible by any of the pictures.

This was sitting expectantly in the “Christmas give-away box” until two Sundays ago. I was wearing my purple shirt and green skirt. I couldn’t find a scarf to wear and I immediately grabbed this. It’s too lovely to give away! I promise I’m making more gifts for the gift box, but this one has to stay. This works perfectly with my purple-dominated wardrobe. It’s also my first Koigu. The two yarns are a tonal, smoky purple Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino, and the second is a similarly tonal, smoky, pine green from the same line of Koigu. It’s expensive (these were just remnants that cost $16) so only for tiny projects like a cowl.

I bought these remnants from a knitting group friend who actually visited the Koigu factory in Canada. She brought back beautiful yarn, great stories, and remnants to sell. I couldn't leave these! They sat in my “special yarn” box for 8 months until I figured out how I could use them together. When I striped them together, they really don't looked striped. It just looks like midnight in a pine forest, with rich, hazy hues of a dark sky streaked with purple clouds. Moonlight filters through pine boughs.

Anyway, I've become a little more focused on cowls recently. I now have four: two are mine to keep (this one and a pink angora one) and two are to give for Christmas. Once I get the ends woven in and pictures taken outside, I'll post pictures of the gifts.

I'm also currently knitting a quick clutch called the “Clutch You'll Never Give Up” from Leigh Radford's book “One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet.” I'm actually knitting with the yarn called for in the pattern (which is quite rare for me). I'm using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky (85% wool, 15% mohair). I end up wearing most of the mohair. :) It looks ridiculously huge now. I will make this huge monster in faith and then toss it into someone's washing machine and watch it be transformed into a cute, small clutch. Then I can decorate with buttons. I'll be sure to take before-and-after felting photos.

Cranberry Leaves Cowl

Last Thursday evening, I ripped out a scarf I had knit in stockinette stitch 3 years ago. At that stage, I had still rudimentary knowledge of knitting fabric and only put a few stitches in seed stitch on either edge. The fabric curled horribly. The yarn was over-spun so it tilted the fabric (in a flat piece). That problem was solved when worked in the round.

I think this cotton-blend cowl will be perfect for my friend. She likes scarves, and the temperatures drop at night, but not enough to want some seriously fuzzy wool. I love this pattern. Right now (probably because it’s fall), I’m obsessed with leaf patterns, so it was a very satisfying knit. I’ve been mulling over the idea of using this stitch pattern in a hat. I haven’t figured out how to do the decreases for the crown yet.

So this was a very fulfilled project: beautiful and soft, especially for those who aren't used to a crunchy, fuzzy wool. I’ll definitely be using the Take it or Leaf it Cowl pattern again. Great quick knit for Christmas presents. I’m still debating with myself whether EVERY cousin needs something handmade. If they do, I’m in for a lot of knitting!

I never had a tag for this yarn, so I don’t know what exactly it is. It feels like cotton, but it might have been blended with something else. Here in the pictures I am modeling the Cranberry Leaves Cowl, with my sisters doing the photography.

Happy Knitting!