Some of you may know that while I currently reside here in LA, I was born and raised in Michigan. Home of freezing winters and snowstorms galore. I then moved to Chicago, which also has its fair share of blizzards and frost, and then I finally wised up and moved to the West coast where sunshine abounds.
That being said, you'd think that a midwestern girl like me wouldn't be getting cold here in LA when it drops below 70. I've completely lost my edge, I get cold so easily now. It doesn't help that our apartment doesn't even have heat yet! Ryan and I were going to try to make it through the LA "winter" without having to turn on our gas (so we can have heat), but we finally caved and the gas man is making his way out to turn on our gas....in another 2 weeks!?! So, until then, we will be under mountains of blankets and thinking of warm places. And just so you don't think I'm completely crazy and can't hack the cold, it's been crazy cold for LA this past week - Ryan even had frost on his car last week!?
All that to say that I have been knitting like crazy. Because I knit when I'm cold. And I came up with my own pattern for an LA "winter" cowl. And I want to share the said pattern with everyone and anyone who wants to make their own.
You will need:
size 13 circular needles
1 skein worsted weight yarn (I used a nylon/acrylic blend)
The Pattern
Cast on 165 stitches* (no gauge for this pattern, it doesn't really matter)
Row 1: Work in knit stitch for first 4 rows (4)
Row 5: Purl 3 rows (7)
Rows 8-28: Repeat rows 1-7, 3 times
Row 29: Knit last 3 rows. Cast off.
*Be very careful not to twist your stitches when connecting them on the circular needles. I may or may not have worked 24 rows before realizing mine were twisted. Oops.
Because it is knit on such large needles, you can wrap it around up to 3 times.
Wear your new cowl, or give as a gift!
(Photo credits: Ryan, my funny hubby who can always make me laugh.)
I like this very much. Simple, practical, versatile, and stylish. What more could one want?
ReplyDeleteThank you, glad you like it! :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I think I'll try it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank You, this has so much potential! if you use a luxury yarn you could really have an elegant accessory! done in silver or gold it would shine!
ReplyDeleteTimeless!
Oh thank you! I was just looking for a pattern yesterday but all I could seem to find was crocheted cowls!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Did you know you have been featured on Craft Gossip!
ReplyDeletehttp://knitting.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-cowl/2011/12/14/comment-page-1/#comment-15868
ReplyDeleteI think I"m gonna try to knock this one out real quick before Christmas. Maybe 2 if I'm lucky.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to put down the scarf that I started making LAST YEAR, and work on this. I keep putting the scarf down anyway because I'm not enjoying it at all. Its a very delicate, cashmere scarf. I thought cashmere would be fun to work with. Its like knitting thread!!
Thanks for the heads up, Becky! :)
ReplyDeleteMisty - this was a very quick knit, I bet you could whip up 2 before Christmas for sure! Good luck! :) I've never knit with cashmere before, I'm not sure I'd have the patience for it...I tend to do more quick projects.
Easy ~ love it! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern - definitely gonna do it! I'm wondering if it matters if your stitches are twisted when you join the round, though. A twist might be kind of cool - what do you think?
ReplyDeleteesbeads - I guess it wouldn't matter that much if it's twisted since it will be twisted around once or twice. I just prefer to start out with a clean line and do the twisting after, either will work though! :)
ReplyDeleteEasy, quick to knit.... thanks a lot.... and Happy New Year 2012 !!!
ReplyDeleteAs we all look up to the New Year
ReplyDeletewith new hope, aspirations and
promises...
Hope it brings you happiness and
fulfills all your wishes,
Wish you a happy and
fulfilling 2012!!
Hey Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteI came across this pattern randomly through a Ravelry search, but it turns out I'm friends with your sister Maren! Small world. This cowl looks great for this winter, which we'll be spending in southern France. Thanks for the pattern!
Caitlin Johnson
thewovenhome.blogspot.com
Woah, small world, Caitlin! Thanks for stopping by! :) That is awesome that you guys are going to be in southern France this winter - enjoy!!
DeleteLove your blog btw, just checked it out. I am hugely impressed with your spinning wheel! I have only ever spun using a drop spindle...but your posts about the spinning wheel makes me want to get one! :)
Just wanted to know if you can use straight needles on this pattern as I can not seem to use circular needles. Also is there away that you can just cast on smaller number of stitches and make the scar longer and the width about 12 inches?
ReplyDeleteGranddaughter wants a cowl scarf.
You could definitely use straight needles for this project, you will just have to sew a seam when you're finished. If you want the scarf to be longer you would have to cast on more stitches since this is knit the width way. Then all you would have to do is knit it until you reach your desired width - 12 inches for you! :) Good luck!
Deletewhat length needles did you use when you made this?
ReplyDeleteMy sis-in-law made me this for Christmas. I no have a year to make 4-5 for my friends! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteHow many yards were in your skein of worsted weight yarn? I want to be sure that I have enough yarn to complete the scarf.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Stephanie
Thanks for the pattern!
ReplyDelete