I had an idea. (I have ideas all the
time.)
I cast on. (With just the vaguest of
plans.)
I place some markers and went to work
knitting.
I was wowed!
The results are so much better than I
envisioned—This is the nicest cowl I think I have ever knit!
Do you like it too? Well-- it will be
up on Ravelry, the pattern for sale, before the day is out!
The first example (rose and green) uses
a hand painted yarn from a small local vendor—There isn't any of
the same available right now, but there are so many small local
vendors of hand painted yarn—and this pattern would look good in
many color ways. This pattern is perfect for a single skein of
special yarn (what better place for a special yarn than framing your
face?)
The yarn was a Peruvian wool worsted
weight yarn, with 100g yielding 247 yards. The pattern didn't use
all the yarn. The second example (bright pink, pale orange and
taupe) was knit with a 100g skein of Paton's Classic Wool, (merino)
100g/223 yards—and there was more than enough yarn in that skein.
(There were a half dozen or so yards left over—not a scary inch or
two!)
I dyed the skein of Patons-- See the
previous post for details. But I think this cowl/collar would look
also look lovely in a semi solid yarn, or even in a simple solid.
Some soft luxury yarn, that you can only afford a single skein
of—for example—one that needs a special project.
I added a rose, because I thought the
soft red and green color way was similar to the foliage on a rose
bush—and I thought a rose was the perfect little embellishment and
finishing touch. But it's optional-- I think the second example of
the cowl—with out any added embellishment is lovely all on its own.
The pattern for the embellishment is
not included—but I do have a free pattern for a similar rose
availability on Ravelry.com—it's shown as stick pin, but it's easy
to make it into a pin on flower.
And there are several books (including
this brand new one—Noni Flowers by Nora Bellows ) with ideas for
knit flowers and embellishments. (see a review and previewhere)
The pattern includes both written out
and charted directions for the lace, and links: to the free pattern
for the knit rose, and to directions for the suggested cast on
(Channel Island)--all on two pages. A third page (optional to print
out)—includes 4 full color photos. There is a thumb nail image
included on the first page.
Cowls are small and fast to knit, and
this cowl is no exception. I think I want to knit another, or maybe
2 more. I think I could knit and embellish a half dozen before I got
bored. Think how pretty it would be in a peacock blue, (a solid or a
color way of the same) with a peacock feather pin added! Or in jewel
tones, and a ornate piece of jewelry pinned center front. Oh, the
possibilities are endless.
