Tag Archives: wool

Lost Knits: Happy Solitude Cowl

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I made this sunny yellow cabled cowl in February for my big sister’s birthday.  It turned out so well, I think I may have to make one for myself next winter.  I’d wanted a quick knit, so chose this bulky weight cowl and as with the baby knits, I decided to choose a bright colour to pierce through the winter gloom.

The yarn I used was Rowan Big Wool and I only used a ball and a half.  As I bought three, there is plenty left over to make another one.  The pattern is Happy Solitude Cowl by Veera Välimäki.  My version turned out a bit smaller than the one in the pattern, but I think this may be because I got bored of knitting the repeat so cast off sooner than I should!

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It was a quick knit; it only took me a week or so to complete.  There is no seaming and all shaping is cleverly done using short rows.  The buttons were from Joyafibers on Etsy.  I have ordered a few times from her so far now, and I have been really pleased each time.  It is also very versatile as you can wear it partly unbuttoned to have it covering your shoulders or button it all the way up for a super snuggly neck.

Wham Bam…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWham Bam by Susan Chang is my latest project to be photographed.  I have rather a back log of projects to be captured on camera, as at this time of year in England, we are rather deprived of decent sun.  However, this weekend, we had our first snowfall of 2013 and I decided to seize the moment and my husband to take some pictures of my Wham Bam.  Or should I say his Wham Bam.

I made this cowl as a quick project back in October.  The yarn used is a brand called Kurt Hesse Alpalana which I acquired in Berlin in 2011. Sadly, I’ve not been able to find out much about it online, or an online retailer, which is a shame as I’d love some more!   It is a gorgeous wool alpaca blend, really loosely spun making a wonderfully light and soft fabric.  Garter stitch was the perfect partner to this yarn, and as I was knitting it, I constantly kept squooshing it in my hands as it just felt so good!  With huge needles too, this project flew off the needles in under 24 hours.

This makes a great, warm and squishy cowl, which you then have to fight over to see who gets to wear it.  I think I have lost that battle though.  Guess I’ll just have to make another one then!

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