cowls
Happily Hooked Magazine Issue 20 is all about Vintage-Inspired Designs with Contemporary Flair. And both my Paris Pillbox Hat & Cowl are an exclusive feature!
The hat in this set is in the pillbox shape reminiscent of the Forties and Fifties of the previous century. A most stylish way of keeping your head warm! To complete the set there is also a matching cowl.
These designs are now also available directly through La Visch Designs.
paris pillbox hat & cowl Read More »
Let’s knit extreme! In earlier posts I already showed you how to make yourself huge broom stick knitting needles and also how I prepared my roving to be able to knit with it. And now it’s finally time to make the next step: I’m ready to go make a project with it!
Considerations when extreme knitting
When knitting a pattern on such a large scale, there are several things that have to be taken into account. For example, it is often not possible to use a large stitch pattern where one repetition requires a large number of stitches and rows: unless you are making a blanket your piece is very likely just not big enough to knit one of multiple repeats of the pattern.
In addition, the impact of extremely large stitches is on its own already very big. Adding a complex stitch pattern to that can be just too much for the eye. A simple stitch pattern with a limited number of stitches and rows is therefore my motto.
Extreme knitting and lace
Lace patterns are indeed very beautiful, but you have to remember you that if you knit with very thick yarn and big needles, the holes in your work will also be very large. This of course does not have be a problem, depending on the type of work you want to do.
However, it is something you do need to take into account, because the effect with a tension of 20 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inch is very different from that with a tension of 2 stitches per 10 cm / 4 inch.
Reversibility
Depending on the type of project, it can be desirable for the stitch pattern to be reversible. In other words, that your project will be pretty on both sides. For a long scarf or cowl I think that’s really nice to have, because both sides are often visible. That is why I have chosen a simple straight-purl stitch pattern for this cowl: A two by two rib pattern.
This simply huge cowl has been named after the giant Gymir, who was in Norse mythology the giant whose daughter, Gerðr, ultimately married the god Freyr.
Instructions
Cast on 8 stitches, I used the “knitting on” method.
Row 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to the end of the row.
Repeat row 1 until your yarn almost runs out, making sure to leave enough to bind off and connect both ends of the piece.
Bind off.
Finishing
“Sew” both edges of the piece together to form a loop by pulling the remaining yarn through the fabric of both edges by hand. Enjoy your GIANT result!
And for comparisons sake, below my Gymir cowl in progress as well as another project on 5 mm needles.
gymir – free pattern Read More »
Reminiscent of the soft colors of sea glass on a sunny beach, the Zeeglas Cowl warms the neck and shoulders like a soft cloud. The simple to work lace pattern is provided both charted and written out.
The various colors from the Adele’s Mohair Brushed Self Stripe Yarn used in the sample give this design added visual interest. When substituting yarns, choose either a sport weight brushed mohair type yarn or lace weight kid-silk type yarn held double for a similar result. This design is very well suited for stash busting odds and ends of mohair type yarn.
The Zeeglas cowl is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, sl1, k2tog, psso and yo. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
S (L), shown in the larger size. Finished dimensions: 37 cm (14 ½ inches) wide and 55 (110) cm (21 ½ (43) inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
The inspiration for the Flits Cowl struck when I had been spinning a gorgeous three-colored thick-and-thin singles yarn: the distinctive lace pattern changes direction whenever a color change occurs. Because of this, the Flits! design is not only perfect for yarns with a limited number of large color blocks, but also for stash-busting similar weight yarns.
Instructions for the lace pattern are provided in both written and charted format. This pattern also contains information on how to adapt the pattern to the amount of yarn for each color you have available, to make a truly unique Flits Cowl.
The Flits Cowl is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp, k2tog, and yo. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Finished dimensions: 36 cm (14 ¼ inches) wide x 66 cm (26 inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
The Ayamaru Cowl, with its distinct texture resembling scales, is named after the Ayamaru rainbowfish. This cowl is designed to make the most of that one special skein of hand-dyed fingering weight yarn.
The diagonal scallop stitch featuring in the body of the cowl shows off the many colors often present in hand-dyed yarns. The garter stitch Latvian Twist edge gives a lovely finish and also prevents the fabric from rolling. Wear the larger size as a big loop to show off your yarn and stitching, or doubled up for optimal warmth. Pick the smaller size for a closer fitting cowl.
Work this cowl in the round, it also requires Kitchener stitch (grafting). This pattern contains a photo tutorial on how to work a Latvian Twist edge. Therefore, the Ayamaru cowl pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Available in 2 sizes S (L) – finished dimensions: 22 cm (8 ½ inches) wide and 58 (116) cm (23 (45 ½) inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
A lovely scarf in a simple and elegant lace repeat pattern, easily transformed into a cowl. Worked flat, the IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is available in one size, that can easily be made wider or longer, or both. With both written and charted directions for the lace, this convertible scarf knits up like a dream. Pair it with the IJskristal Slouchy Hat for a lovely coordinating set.
The IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is worked flat. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp, k2tog, yo and the centered double decrease sl2-k1-p2sso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
One size – finished dimensions: 23 cm (9 inches) wide and 130 cm (51 inches) long, measured after blocking.
ijskristal convertible cowl/scarf Read More »
Sometimes you just want to get warm and make a statement. With the Frost Giant Cowl, you can achieve both. The cowl is worked flat and has two finishing options, choose the one you feel most comfortable with. The finishing options consist of either plain seaming or a three-needle-bind-off.
Yarn
The sample cowl was knit using 270 m (297 yards) / 450 g Wibra Myrna [80% acrylic, 20% wool; 60 m (66 yds) per 100 g skein] held double.
Substitute any (extra) bulky weight yarn for a similar result. Using a thinner yarn will result in a less humongous cowl.
Recommended needles
Needles in your preferred style in the following sizes (or to match gauge):
Adjust needle size appropriately when using a less bulky yarn for a smaller cowl.
Other
Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample cowl:
5.5 sts / 8 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) measured over 2×2 rib.
27 cm (11 inch) wide (unstretched), 70 cm (27 ½ inch) long.
The plain seaming finishing option in this pattern is suitable for the beginning knitter. The three-needle bind-off finishing option requires a provisional cast on. Because this is a more advanced knitting technique, this version is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Stitches used include knit, purl and slipping stitches.
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
rep – repeat
sl – slip
st(s) – stitch(es)
wyib – with yarn in back
Seamed finishing option:
CO 18 sts with the yarn held double.
Row 1: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.
Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
CO 18 sts with waste yarn held double or triple.
Row 1: Knit. Switch to working yarn held double.
Row 2: K3, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.
Both finishing options:
Next: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.
Rep this row until length of piece is 148 cm (58 inches) or desired length.
Bind-off
Seamed finishing option:
BO using your BO of choice, for example, the knit bind-off.
Next: Hold the ends of the piece together and use the yarn needle to sew both ends together and form a loop. Be careful not to twist the loop before seaming the ends together.
Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
Transfer the stitches from the waste yarn to the extra needle, be careful not to twist the loop when holding the beginning and end of the piece together.
Step 1: Hold both needles holding sts next to each other.
Step 2: With the third needle, knit each st through both the first st on the needle closest to you as well as through the first st on the back needle at the same time. Wrap as for a knit st and complete the stitch as usual.
Step 3: Rep step 2 one time.
Step 4: There are now 2 sts on your right hand needle. Lift the first st worked over the second st worked, using the tip of your left hand needle.
Step 5: Rep steps 3-4 until all sts are BO.
Click here for a tutorial on how to work a three-needle BO.
Finishing
Weave in ends and wear with attitude!
Tip: Use a crochet hook to weave yarn ends in, when the yarn is to thick to use regular yarn needles. Just grab the yarn with the hook, pull it through the fabric and repeat.
Click here to download the pattern for your convenience.
frost giant – free pattern Read More »
